When I went to Japan in November, our tour was also supposed to see a kimono show in Kyoto (it was at the Nishijin Kimono Textile Center). However, because we ran out of time on that particular day, we had to cancel that part of the tour. Our tour guide felt so bad about it that the next day she showed up dressed in a kimono. Because she lived in Osaka, she had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning in order to have enough time to dress up in her kimono (from what I understand it's an involved process), catch a bus to the train station, take a train to Kyoto, then take another bus to our hotel.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:42 am Post subject:
shin2 wrote:
When I went to Japan in November, our tour was also supposed to see a kimono show in Kyoto (it was at the Nishijin Kimono Textile Center). However, because we ran out of time on that particular day, we had to cancel that part of the tour. Our tour guide felt so bad about it that the next day she showed up dressed in a kimono. Because she lived in Osaka, she had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning in order to have enough time to dress up in her kimono (from what I understand it's an involved process), catch a bus to the train station, take a train to Kyoto, then take another bus to our hotel.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:24 am Post subject:
shin2 wrote:
When I went to Japan in November, our tour was also supposed to see a kimono show in Kyoto (it was at the Nishijin Kimono Textile Center). However, because we ran out of time on that particular day, we had to cancel that part of the tour. Our tour guide felt so bad about it that the next day she showed up dressed in a kimono. Because she lived in Osaka, she had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning in order to have enough time to dress up in her kimono (from what I understand it's an involved process), catch a bus to the train station, take a train to Kyoto, then take another bus to our hotel.
It's amazing to us in the West, but it's another fine example of Japanese service.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:30 am Post subject:
Wynter wrote:
Kimono #10 - There was a collective gasp when this one came out.
I can see why! Some great designs, and lovely ladies of course.
And yes, three jobs. Plus an online business selling Japanese products. Here in the U.S., it's called "the new normal". Since the collapse in late '08, anyway.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:48 am Post subject:
On the way back to the house, I stopped by the local Honda dealer in Adachi-ku. It was closed that day, which caught me by surprise. Oh well. I'll have to talk to them or another dealer this year, as the director of the museum where I work wants to buy a new Honda N-ONE. Or I should say, he wants to try to buy an N-ONE. Importing a brand-new kei car to the U.S.? This will be an interesting challenge.
They did have one of these, though. See that black thing under the headlight that looks like a radio antenna?
It raises up when switched on, and lights up on the end. It's to help you see where the far corner of your car is when traversing super-narrow Tokyo streets. Especially when parking. We need those here in the U.S., especially on SUVs!
One of the cool things about Japanese car dealerships is being able to buy exact models of the new cars. American dealers used to do that back in the 60's. Or rather, they had cheap "promo" models that they gave to the kids of customers. Those are very collectible today.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:55 am Post subject:
Meanwhile, the temple across the street was decorated for the matsuri that night.
I wandered into a store across the street from the Life supermarket, and found they had a pet store in one corner. Oh look, BUNNIES!
And a tortoise, in case you wanted to have a race.
They even had one like my Benjamin, who died just a couple of days before my trip. He was feisty like my Ben too, as he was pulling the food dish out of his way so he could hop.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:11 pm Post subject:
Okay, just one more bunny pic. Last one for today, I swear.
Outside, I had my first CB1300 sighting. I had talked to the exporter about finding me one of these. No, I don't know how I would register it in the U.S. I don't care. I want one.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject:
Purposely re-angled this shot just before taking it, so the sky wouldn't be washed out. There's something about the sky in Japan; it can look incredible pretty much any time you look up at it. A dramatic backdrop for an amazing country.
One store had this cool scale diorama at its entrance. It's how Shibuya looked in 1964, during the Olympics.
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He was feisty like my Ben too, as he was pulling the food dish out of his way so he could hop. 
