Machiya

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On Saturday the 8th July we got on the train (46 minutes) to go to Nara, the old 8th century (710 - 784) capital of Japan. Apart from the ubiquitous deer, Nara is known for its shrines and temples like the Kofukuji, the Todaiji ("Great Eastern Temple") the world's largest wooden building which houses the largest Buddha statue in Japan and the Kasuga Taisha, the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan. The buildings were stunning and the weather swelteringly hot. Had a nice walk through wooded landscapes and enjoyed the view over Nara from the Nigatsudo ("Two moon hall") in the afternoon.

Coming back to Osaka we noticed that the summer sales had begun. In Hep 5 ( shopping mall) the shop attendants (or specially hired staff) were shouting their lungs out and swaying placards stating that the Sales are on. The noise was deafening.......... The reductions (50%) are huge compared to the regular 2 thru 5 percent discount. Unfortunately there wasn't anything that we fancied.....so, alas, no overdose of shoppingbags.

Sunday we left for Kyoto for the last three days of our communal trip. Through Alex Kerr I managed to rent a typical "machi-ya", a Kyoto town-house with on the ground level a tearoom, tatami rooms, garden en furo (wooden bathtub) that overlooked the small garden plus sleeping quarters (Futons of course) and a comfy couch on the 2nd floor. Great location close to the river with it's array of restaurants and bars. The house has only one snag and that is that it was build for small Japanese people so you really have to be careful not to bang your head time and time again.

After an evening walk along the river streets and through Gion (the old Geisha quarter) we had a Tonkatsu dinner (deep-fried pork but also chicken, prawns and potato croquets). It was a first for me. Honestly though I do prefer the more subtle flavours of this land.......