The fifth and final part of our two week visit to Japan.
WE. WERE. KNACKERED by this stage in the journey and our stays in both Kyoto and Osaka were relatively short (although our third video does outline our initial stay in Osaka in more depth and detail). The rain wasn’t on our side during our stay in Kyoto, but spirits were still high as we were on somewhat of a DAVID BOWIE quest – we stayed opposite (that’s right! Opposite!) Bowie’s honeymoon rayokan (Tawaraya) AND we visited the moss garden soundtracked on his 1977 album, “Heroes”.
Our final day was spent back in Osaka, drinking, eating and singing … there’s not much more to add.
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Tawaraya:
We didn’t stay there – perhaps next time. David Bowie and Iman’s honeymoon ryokan.
https://www.insidekyoto.com/how-to-book-tawaraya-ryokan
https://www.ryokan.or.jp/inn/58900
Hiiragiya:
An incredible traditional ryokan – the service was second to none, the food was incredible and ultimately it comes extremely highly recommended.
https://www.insidekyoto.com/hiiragiya-ryokan-downtown-kyoto
https://www.hiiragiya.co.jp/en
The Moss Garden / Saihoji Temple /Kokedera:
This took some arranging. The first time we were in Kyoto we couldn’t go in because ultimately you need to prebook your place. So, you do have to book this before you visit. There’s a short ritual to take part in (writing in kanji) but, despite reports (it doesn’t take two hours!) you’ll be done in no time and exploring the grounds.
https://saihoji-kokedera.com/en
The Cross Hotel (Osaka):
Only featured briefly in this video – it has more of a starring role in our first Osaka video. Possibly the least impressive place we stayed, but it was clean and comfortable and after a gargantuan karaoke session, it did the job.
https://www.crosshotel.com/osaka/en/en-room
Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction
0:40 – Bullet train (Nagasaki to Kyoto)
1:32 – David Bowie’s Ryokan (Tawaraya)
2:12 – Charlie Chaplin’s Ryokan (Hiiragiya)
3:43 – Kyo-Kaiseki and Yudofu (dinner and breakfast at the Hiiragiya)
5:53 – Bowie’s Moss Garden (Saihoji Temple/Kokedera)
7:55 – Katsura River, the Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
9:31 – Kyo-Kaiseki at Hiiragiya (part.2)
11:10 – Bullet train (Kyoto to Osaka)
12:49 – Rainbow Karaoke
14:02 – Home and Walking with Bridget (Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka, Nagasaki)
So here we are the fifth and final video documenting our recent visit to Japan we had already seen so much and the pace had been nothing short of Relentless throughout from The Busy streets of Tokyo to The Majestic Rolling Hills of hakone
The party atmosphere of Asaka and the cultural and historical Melting Pot of Nagasaki we were now heading back East a journey of 780 km to the city of Kyoto he when we initially planned our visit to Japan at the tail end of covid we had originally
Booked the TOA roken unfortunately due to the country’s slow reopening and ever moving timings our stay here fell through its importance to us is relatively straightforward this was the roken David Bowie stayed in in 1992 for his honeymoon Bowie was a huge fan of both Japan and Japanese
Culture visiting the country numerous times for both work and relaxation but we loved Kyoto in particular he stayed frequently in the late 70s and early 80s even shooting a whiskey commercial at a nearby Shrine fortunately this wouldn’t be the only time our paths would cross with
Bowie during our stay in Kyoto quite by chance our actual accommodation the herar roken was situated just on the other side of the road Hira is one of the oldest ryokans in Kyoto with a history dating back to 1818 like Boe roken Hira has had its fair share of celebrity
Guests including Elizabeth Taylor and Charlie Chaplain who stayed here for his honeymoon back in 1932 this is our bedroom there isn’t a Telly yeah there is is there is it behind me once we’ finished our obligatory tea we made for the local shops to pick up something for our son
If it hasn’t become clear yet we mainly travel for food on returning to our rokan we were met with yet another gargantuan meal I think the assah is adding or something h s class he adding class MH good I mean meat is good isn’t it it is is it o she hi
Abalone I think it’s my new favorite thing we know I think um it’s my new discovery can you get it in England I’ve never seen it in tesos I don’t know how they did that but that’s my favorite so final review have you enjoyed your meal here I’m eating it now all right
Early the next morning we made for the Ren’s main dining area for breakfast not for the first time we were completely perplexed by the sheer size of the meals apparently everything you see here is for one person we don’t need all this food it’s too much
Food in 1977 Bowie completed his 12th studio album album Heroes moss garden the eighth track on the album was inspired by Bo’s visits to this the sji temple a sh after we’ finished at the Shrine we took a short bus Journey Down To The katsura River in order
To complete some unfinished business during our first visit to Japan a few years ago we’d spent some time exploring this very area however somehow and quite inadvertently we’d failed to locate the arishi bamboo forest retrospectively and I know we’re not alone in this sentiment it
Was somewhat of a disappointment Our advice if you must go there go there early so what are your thoughts about the bamboo Groove I’m full of wonder is it it’s wonderful it’s wonderful magical I’m having my Instagram moment yeah yeah can I see the shrine quickly he’s amazing love
So we’re we’re not filming the whole meal um we’ve just had squid and the squid was gorgeous gorgeous Wishy delicious delicious tasty tasty very good what you next yum tell me about the Wasabi it’s hot I mean hotter than the Sun don’t have too much I’ve never had Wasabi like
That before it’s quite hot but you know you live in L it’s all good back of the nose back of the nose it’s a good deal oh it’s good I like that too whatever that is what is it bamboo hi it’s
Good I was just saying it’s it’s kind of how I imagine it would be to eat sad CO’s Hair It Go I C it’s really okay it actually tastes really good it’s just it’s the kind of meal that sets out to embarrass you really I think I think I’m
Done our stay in Kyoto had been relatively brief but we were on the move again 56 km Journey back to oaka our final stop before heading on to home she our plan for our final day in Japan was relatively simple relax eat some food
Buy some gifts for our loved ones Connor is a dick H and have a few drinks so we’re here again Rainbow karaoke mhm what made you come back you did There’s a St man waiting in the sky he like to come and meet us but he thinks
He home leave you allone I didn’t make you come back we’re doing our greatest hits today we’re doing Greatest Hits today before we go yeah okay food Bo that’s it that’s it now back in okay we got a nice big room though it’s huge it’s a huge room it’s like a party
Room there’s actually Windows here as well we had to block out all the windows free the unlimited alcohol course we’ve gone for unlimited alcohol this time and I think it says here I’ve just notice this yeah drinking slol by persons under the age of 20 is prohibited slol slol luckily it’s
Alcohol the next morning we caught a connecting flight to Tokyo before heading on to home it was an incredible adventure and if you have joined us and watched all five of our Japan videos a massive thank you we do it for us really but if you got something out
Of it yourself all the better I don’t say this often I guess I’ll say it now if you enjoyed our videos please do like and subscribe more Adventures will surely follow thank you
1 Comment
Best one yet, love all the mentions and almost shed a tear at the end. The karaoke scene was a masterpiece.