Leaving Japan

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

We are now in a hotel by the Tokyo airport after a short flight from Osaka. We had about 3 hours this morning in Kyoto before we had to be ready to leave on the airport shuttle. So off we went for our last sightseeing and this time we headed to the “philosopher’s Walk” – actually it was what we had planned for yesterday, but couldn’t find it. Today we took a taxi to the Ginkakuji Temple and found the start of the path there.

The “philosopher’s walk” follows a narrow canal that is cherry tree lined so must be gorgeous in the springtime. It was used by some prominent philosophers from Kyoto University who used it for daily meditation - thus the name. It goes from Ginkakuji Temple and ends at Nanenji Temple. It is awesome.

Since we had a chance to be philosophical this morning about our visit to Japan we now have some questions for you our dear readers. Have you ever burned your “bum” on a commode? Have you ever wondered what buttons to push and what they do in a Japanese western toilet? We have answers and pictures. First, many seats are warmed, second, many seats “sing” to you (to mask natural sounds), third, some spray some wash, and most directions are in Japanese. The guidebooks warn you to not be pressing some buttons while you are getting up or you will have wet clothes. Every toilet has been a learning experience and yesterday was the best lesson yet.

I, Mary, was in a toilet in this huge department store and could not keep from laughing and told Charlie when I met up with him that I needed to go back for a “photo op” there. The wall was plastered with instructions in many languages on what to do. He says you don’t need to take reading materials to a Japanese toilet just read the instruction manual on the walls. That will keep you entertained for a while. This particular commode had buttons for solids, liquids, sprays, washes, tunes, and to close the lid – bad one to push while sitting. And….who says that traveling is not educational. Well, off to my warm seat…….

Actually, we have been pleasantly surprised at the toilets. I was expecting not having “western toilets” and having to squat. In most places you have a choice – the door will say” western” on it. And……the best thing, they are all spotless here – we have never seen such clean facilities. The Japanese must be horrified when they visit our country.

Tomorrow night we are off to Seoul.