Alone In Kyoto

Did I mention that I looooove Air?

Anyway, the plans for the trip to Japan in November are coming along nicely. We're flying in to Seoul for a couple days' visit with my brother, who's teaching conversational English over there.

Then, we fly to Narita, take the NRT express train to our hotel, Ryokan Shigetsu in Asakusa, the one remaining "old town" district in Tokyo city limits. This is the same place J stayed in when he first visited Japan in the spring of 2002. It's right next to one of the most important Buddhist temples in Tokyo proper.

And also very close to a great little shopping area, where you can buy, among other things, pieces of finely-crafted plastic sushi.

After 8 days in Tokyo, we'll take the bullet train to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, full of beautiful temples, formal gardens, hot spring baths and the occasional geisha.

We'll be staying at the Ryokan Uemura, a tiny (three-room) inn, very old fashioned, and highly recommended.