Kyoto, Shinkansen, Tokyo: three first-timers in Japan via Air China (page 5 of 6)

One last word about the stay. While the men are impeccable in their suits and ties and big watches, it must also be said that Japanese women have an incredible style. I’m not just talking about the sweet, ditzy girls dressed as maids. I mean the everyday woman—seen behind a counter or spotted on the street. That natural class, that unique poise that maybe France had in the post-war era, shines on every street corner in this country.

Do you count the Japanese women wearing masks not because they’re sick but because they can’t be bothered to put on makeup?

:D

Hi Bénédicte

I’m noting your suggestion—it sounds great. Thanks a lot!

One last word about the trip. While the men are impeccable in their suits and ties and big watches, it’s also worth noting that Japanese women have an incredible style. I’m not just talking about the sweet, ditzy girls dressed as maids. I mean the everyday woman—whether behind a counter or spotted on the street. That natural class, that unique poise that maybe reminded me of post-war France, shines on every corner of this country.

Do you count the Japanese women who wear a mask not because they’re sick but because they can’t be bothered to put on makeup?

:D

Yes. I count them all—those without masks and those with, whatever the reason—because their poise touches the soul.

Hi Bénédicte

I’ll note your suggestion—it seems excellent. Thanks a lot!

I’ll add my thanks to yours.

Hi Bénédicte

You’ve got to come to Kyushu then 😉: nature in abundance, castles, volcanoes, onsens, temples and shrines, feudal towns, canals, a rich history, lively cities, and even a "replica" of Mount Fuji with Kaimon-dake, which has the advantage of being open for climbing all year round. All packed into a single island.

You’ve really sold your region 😉. Climate question, please—is it similar in summer to the areas further north?

One last word about the stay. While the men are impeccable in their suits and ties and big watches, we must also recognize that Japanese women have an incredible style. I’m not just talking about the sweet, ditzy girls dressed as maids. I mean the everyday woman—seen behind a counter or spotted on the street. That natural class, that unique poise that maybe once belonged to post-war France, shines in this country at every corner.

Oh, I totally agree with you!

It struck me too during my trip to Japan. These days, elegance is Japanese, not French anymore! “The student” has surpassed the master, who’s now just a shadow of himself...

One last word about the stay. While the men are impeccable in their suits and ties and big watches, we must also acknowledge that Japanese women have an incredible style. I’m not just talking about the sweet, ditzy girls dressed as maids. I mean the everyday woman—seen behind a counter or spotted on the street. That natural class, that unique poise that maybe France had in the post-war era, shines on every street corner in this country.

Oh, I totally agree with you!

It struck me too during my trip to Japan. These days, elegance is Japanese, not French anymore! “The student” has surpassed the master, who’s now just a shadow of himself...

Thanks so much, I feel less alone.

Yeah, basically it doesn’t really differ much from all the regions in Tokyo and Osaka if that helps. On the other hand, it’s hot near the hells (Beppu / Unzen) but really nice (even cool) in the mountains (Mount Aso). Fukuoka is a rather windy area too, so the heat is more bearable.

Hi Bénédicte

Thanks for the details and your blog.

Hey Alain,

The idea of visiting Japan goes back a year, exactly. I remember because I was looking for cheap flights to Europe from Paris. Surprisingly, the round-trip to Japan with Air China was just as cheap—if not cheaper—than many European destinations.

It wasn’t just because it was a cheap flight destination that you chose to go, right?

This photo below reminds me of another one I took in autumn in a Japanese garden in Chicago.



"The bill?" the boy replied. "Of course, just now." Thirty seconds later, he returned with a half-pint in hand and placed the glass in front of me with a big smile. "You bill, mister." With all the self-control of the East, I thanked him profusely and, careful not to embarrass the friendly but clumsy waiter, I took it upon myself to down the good half-pint—after asking for the bill again, this time avoiding English.

Ah, the misunderstandings in another country... I’ve got tons of stories like that! I had a good laugh and was touched by your compassion for the waiter! But come on, there are worse obligations than having to finish a glass of beer! It’s all good!!!

We passed a few apprentices that I followed for a moment with my camera, wondering what would happen if someone pulled on the big bow decorating the back of their outfit.

And you didn’t go through with it?😏

wondering what would happen if you pulled the big knot on the back of their outfit.

It depends on how it’s tied. Best case, almost nothing happens, and worst case, the obi unravels and falls to their feet. Since the kimono is held together with ties underneath, you won’t end up completely undressed without the obi (the "belt").

Oh, thanks! I’ve got the answer to that question now!!!

This photo below reminds me of another one I took in Canada in autumn, in a Japanese garden in Chicago.

No matter how many times I read and reread that sentence, something still escapes me 😛

I guess in Chicago (you're right, not in Canada!!!!), in that Japanese garden (yes, yes, I promise you, I visited a Japanese garden in Chicago), they managed to recreate that feeling.

I guess in Chicago, in that Japanese garden (yes, yes, I swear, I visited a Japanese garden in Chicago), they managed to recreate that feeling.

I can confirm there *is* a Japanese garden in Chicago—I visited it—but I’m still baffled how you could’ve taken a photo of it from Canada 😇

I realized my mistake after the fact!!! You little joker!!! 😏😄

Here it is in autumn just before closing!

Hi Alain, and thanks for your travel journal. It was a real treat. Your writing and some of the photo captions had me laughing out loud at my screen.

Have a great day.

Anne Marie

"I can confirm there’s a Japanese garden in Chicago,"

And there’s one in Hasselt, Belgium too. I think there’s also one somewhere in France, but I can’t remember where.

And I think there’s one somewhere in France too, but I can’t remember where.

Albert Kahn Garden in Boulogne-Billancourt, Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden in Toulouse, Japanese Garden on Île de Versailles in Nantes, Japanese Garden in Ichikawa in Issy-les-Moulineaux... these are the ones I’ve heard of.

There’s also the Japanese garden at UNESCO in Paris. And there’s one in Le Havre, which opens whenever it feels like it (= in 5 days, no way to visit it)...

Hey Alain,

The idea of visiting Japan goes back a year now. I remember because I was looking for cheap flights to Europe from Paris. Surprisingly, the round-trip to Japan with Air China was just as cheap—if not cheaper—than many European destinations.

It wasn’t *just* because it was a cheap flight that you chose to go, right?

Good catch. The price was necessary, but not enough—like we used to say in my younger days.

This photo below reminds me of another one I took in autumn at a Japanese garden in Chicago.



Wasn’t that in Canada?

"The bil?" the waiter said. "Of course, just now." Thirty seconds later, he came back with a half-pint and placed the glass in front of me with a big smile. "Youl bil, mister." With all the self-control of someone from the East, I thanked him profusely and, careful not to embarrass the friendly but clumsy waiter, I took it upon myself to down the good half-pint—after asking for the bill *again*, this time avoiding English.

Ah, the misunderstandings in a foreign country... I’ve got *so* many stories like that! I laughed and was touched by your compassion for the waiter! But come on, it’s not the worst obligation to have to finish a beer! It’s all good!!!

Yeah, we’ve had worse mishaps.

We passed a few apprentices, and I snapped a quick photo, wondering what would happen if someone pulled the big bow on the back of their uniform.

And you didn’t go through with it?😏

No, I’m too much of a thinker, I guess...