Maxi and Jens (Chap) - Japan November 2024
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@Chap what an incredible trip. You must be incredibly proud of your son for his initiative to explore and immerse himself into a new culture and learn a new language. I’m curious, how did his Japanese skills develop over his time there? Was he able to open doors in your travels that may not have been possible for a non Japanese speaker?
Also, what a handsome kid. He’s clearly developed some sense of style from his old man and his time in Japan. Can you give any insight into these boots!!? They look very striking!!
In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...
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@Mister_Brue said in Maxi and Jens (Chap) - Japan November 2024:
@Chap Natto; not my favourite component of a Japanese breakfast, but I struggled through it.
Shinkansen journeys on the other hand, were never long enough.
I gave Nattō a couple of tries and we also have it at home but I agree, we won’t become friends…
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@Mizmazzle yes definitely. His Japanese is amazing, he can do conversations with the locals and he is also pretty good with the way how to behave in Japan, those little but very important ways how to interact with the Japanese. Both helped a lot during our trip.
His shoes have a Japanese background too, split toe (Tabi) boots from Maison Margiela, I had to Google them too: Tabi Bianchetto Boots
…and he has snatched my Fine Creek jacket
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Our next stop was a Buddhist temple near Kanagawa. Took us a while and a couple of train changes to get there but it was worth it. It is a tiny temple with only one resident monk (the first picture). We stayed there for two days and slept on tatamis in the temple. We had meditations with the monk, evening and morning prayers, did sutra copying and learned a bit about Buddhism and the philosophy of Zen in Japan. The temple had no bath or shower so we went to a public onsen in the area. Amazing experience as well... sorry no pics
.Couple of pictures from the temple.
Breakfast
Sutra copying
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In Kyoto we had a Machiya house for about a week. We were located in the northern part of Kyoto which has lovely quiet neighborhoods and is a bit less tourisitc. Machiya houses are Japan's traditional wooden townhouses that can be seen all over Kyoto. Some of them are renovated and turned into holiday homes, shops, cafes. Ours was owned by a young couple that put lots of effort into the renovation to make it as authentic as possible. It has the typical entrance called 'Genkan' where you leave your shoes while the rest of the house has 'Tatami' floors.
The owners lived just around the corner and were very helpful. The house does come with its own bicycles and Shimo, the owner has even made a Kindle with many suggestions for bike tours around Kyotos North.
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niceee
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Some of pictures from Kyoto. We were manly in the North driving around with the bikes to see temples, shrines and gardens.
Autumn foliage has started at many places all over Kyoto. (Maple leaves turning red)
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Many temples serve Matcha tea while sitting on Tatami and enjoying views to the gardens around.
Bonsai
God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson
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@ARNC said in Maxi and Jens (Chap) - Japan November 2024:
@Chap bonsai 6 is stunning! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Thanks, yes they were amazing some of them hundreds of years of age
God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson
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@Daniel-San said in Maxi and Jens (Chap) - Japan November 2024:
@Chap
wonderful pictures Jens !!
really enjoying your journey
and happy new year in
Thank you! あけましておめでとう。(Happy new year)
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After morning prayer at Daitoku-ji temple in our neighborhood
We are standing on a so called Nightingale Floor surrounding the temple. These flours make a squeaking sound (chirping noises) when you walk on them. Legend has it that the squeaking floors were used as a security device warning of intruders.
God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson
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At Orinasu-kan one of the oldest (and most famous) weavers of Kimono cloth in Nishijin, Kyotos weaving district.
Matcha tea in our Machyia
