Here is a break from packing to update my blog. I am getting back on top of it. Lets see if I can stay on top of it again, cuz I do not like pumping out 5 days at once.
Today, Monday, I slept in to the point that I was not able to get lunch, so I got 2 dollar roll with egg inside for pseudo-breakfast. I reserved a seat for my train tomorrow, to be sure I make it in time for the ferry. Reserving a seat almost doubles the cost, but I want to be on the safe side, because if I miss a singe train, then I will miss the ferry and will be set back many hours. After getting my ticket, I headed toward Dogo-Onsen, probably the most famous hot spring / bathhouse in all of Japan. I wandered around and took pictures for a while, because when you enter the Onsen, you only have about an hour or so and I wanted lunch first. After wandering and looking at the area, I went to a very unique looking cafe for lunch, a bit hard to describe it, but it was very cool. I got a tempura sandwich and ama-zake, which you may remember from my previous blog, a sweet only slightly fermented sake (so essentially non-alcoholic) with chunks of rice in it and white like milk. Afterwards, I headed to Dogo-Onsen, got the level three package with access to all three bathes, a large tatami room, with one serving of tea and crackers. I think I was the only person at the onsen between the ages of 10 and 35 and the only foreigner. It was fun, but a bit odd just being me and a bunch of old Japanese men, luckily no more awkward conversations about if I was comfortable being naked in front of others or not, like I had my first night at the hotel. After going into one bath, I went to the large tatami room, had tea and sweet crackers, then went and tried out the other two baths. It was marvelous, also all of the staff seemed to treat me slightly different than the other guests because I was a foreigner. Not necessarily in a bad way, just gave me a bit of extra attention and walked me through everything. Also noticed they kept glancing over at me and talking among themselves as I was drinking my tea. After my baths, I got a brief tour of was used to be the Imperial rooms, the audience room, his private room and the concealed guard rooms, his private changing room, bath, and even the toilet. The guide seemed really really relieved when I told her that I could understand Japanese. It was quite interesting, sadly no photography inside the onsen for some reason, haha.
After Dogo, I walked around a bit, having no idea where else to go. So I ended up going to an old temple at the top of a very tall hill. And afterwards walked around Dogo park, a pretty nice park around a large forested hill steep enough that it is not and will probably never be developed. I walked through the forest a bit, then returned to the nearest streetcar station by walking around the public park portion where people were playing catch, badminton, etc. As I was walking, a pair of children called out to me, just saying hello in English. After I was well away, I heard the little girl ask my name, but at that point, I was awkwardly far away, so did not respond, only waved and said have a good day. I wish they did not wait until I was barely in yelling range to try to start trying to have a conversation.
After this it was only about 4, but I had no idea what else to do, so I just returned to my hotel. I went back to the nearby mall for dinner, then browsed for clothes, I still mean to buy a sweater and pants, but am at a loss as to what might possibly look good, so again ended up browsing for about an hour and bought nothing. I did buy a beanie though, so my head can be warm as I reuse my same 5 sweaters for the rest of the year.
Well, I think that is about enough for now. Good night. Tomorrow is mostly traveling, so have an early start.
Today, Monday, I slept in to the point that I was not able to get lunch, so I got 2 dollar roll with egg inside for pseudo-breakfast. I reserved a seat for my train tomorrow, to be sure I make it in time for the ferry. Reserving a seat almost doubles the cost, but I want to be on the safe side, because if I miss a singe train, then I will miss the ferry and will be set back many hours. After getting my ticket, I headed toward Dogo-Onsen, probably the most famous hot spring / bathhouse in all of Japan. I wandered around and took pictures for a while, because when you enter the Onsen, you only have about an hour or so and I wanted lunch first. After wandering and looking at the area, I went to a very unique looking cafe for lunch, a bit hard to describe it, but it was very cool. I got a tempura sandwich and ama-zake, which you may remember from my previous blog, a sweet only slightly fermented sake (so essentially non-alcoholic) with chunks of rice in it and white like milk. Afterwards, I headed to Dogo-Onsen, got the level three package with access to all three bathes, a large tatami room, with one serving of tea and crackers. I think I was the only person at the onsen between the ages of 10 and 35 and the only foreigner. It was fun, but a bit odd just being me and a bunch of old Japanese men, luckily no more awkward conversations about if I was comfortable being naked in front of others or not, like I had my first night at the hotel. After going into one bath, I went to the large tatami room, had tea and sweet crackers, then went and tried out the other two baths. It was marvelous, also all of the staff seemed to treat me slightly different than the other guests because I was a foreigner. Not necessarily in a bad way, just gave me a bit of extra attention and walked me through everything. Also noticed they kept glancing over at me and talking among themselves as I was drinking my tea. After my baths, I got a brief tour of was used to be the Imperial rooms, the audience room, his private room and the concealed guard rooms, his private changing room, bath, and even the toilet. The guide seemed really really relieved when I told her that I could understand Japanese. It was quite interesting, sadly no photography inside the onsen for some reason, haha.
After Dogo, I walked around a bit, having no idea where else to go. So I ended up going to an old temple at the top of a very tall hill. And afterwards walked around Dogo park, a pretty nice park around a large forested hill steep enough that it is not and will probably never be developed. I walked through the forest a bit, then returned to the nearest streetcar station by walking around the public park portion where people were playing catch, badminton, etc. As I was walking, a pair of children called out to me, just saying hello in English. After I was well away, I heard the little girl ask my name, but at that point, I was awkwardly far away, so did not respond, only waved and said have a good day. I wish they did not wait until I was barely in yelling range to try to start trying to have a conversation.
After this it was only about 4, but I had no idea what else to do, so I just returned to my hotel. I went back to the nearby mall for dinner, then browsed for clothes, I still mean to buy a sweater and pants, but am at a loss as to what might possibly look good, so again ended up browsing for about an hour and bought nothing. I did buy a beanie though, so my head can be warm as I reuse my same 5 sweaters for the rest of the year.
Well, I think that is about enough for now. Good night. Tomorrow is mostly traveling, so have an early start.