Necessary Shopping

from Cyndi

There is a place called "Travel Smith" that carries lots of travel clothing, etc.

They have an outlet store in Palo Alto at:

2741 Middlefield Road (In Midtown Palo Alto, between Starbuck's and The Territory Ahead Outlet store).
Directions to the Palo Alto store: From Hwy 101, Take the Oregon Expressway Exit West, Left on to Middlefield, Left on to Colorado, immediate left into parking lot next to Starbuck's.
Plenty of Free Parking
Open Wednesday through Sunday: 10am - 6pm
For additional information, please call (650) 329-8066.

I also found some wrinkle-free capri pants at REI (is it OK to wear pants in Japan when we're just sight-seeing?) They say they are wash and wear, and also have a type of sun protection in the fabric.

I like the Container Store in Santana Row. They have lots of traveling items there too, like travel sized
bottles, backpacks, money and passport pouches, etc.

Kyoto Info

Here's another great Kyoto resource.

Produced by the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies this site provides a comprehensive look at locations and activities in Kyoto.

Lots of photos. Lots of alternatives to regular places of interest.

Another good Kyoto resource.

Kyoto Walking Tour Map

Here's a link to a Kyoto Walking Map.

The link to a pdf is at the bottom of the page. Its a map from the Japan National Tourist Organization. I haven't been able to locate the map at the JNTO site.

On page two of the map there is a walk we might want to consider. It begins at the Gojozaka bus stop near the Ohtani Mausoleum. This mausoleum is where Shinran's cremains were placed by his daughter Kakushin. There is a very old, beautiful and unsual temple at Ohtani. The walk will take us along a huge necropolis then up to Kiyomizu temple. Past Kiyomizu is Chion-in, the temple built by Honen, Shinran's teacher. There is a huge gate at it's entrance.

This is a list and information of several important temples in Kyoto including Kiyomizu and Chion-in.

Kyoto - Nara - Osaka

Thanks Curtis for the links to the Nara Museum and Kyoto Movie Land sites.

I've changed the title of the Kyoto link list to include Nara and Osaka.

I'd like to add others to the blog. Please send their email address to me. I'll include them as soon as possible.

email: unsui@fogbank.com

Pokemon and Anime

Gary left these links for pokemon people.
This is a link for Pokemon Centers in Osaka.It's in Japanese and so is the map below, but it gives a sense of where things are located.
The Center is located in the basement of the Umeda Center Building, a 5 minute walk from Osaka Station.
Here is a map showing the one in Osaka.

More anime links and info.

Stuff to Bring

Japan will be hot and humid during our visit. Be sure to bring light clothing.

Although, adults may be tempted to bring tanktops and shorts, in Japan, usually children wear tanktops and shorts. Adults should wear slacks or skirts. Ladies, remember you might find yourself sitting on the floor where a short skirt would be very awkward, so knee length or longer would be much more comfortable. Men, I'm sure your legs are lovely, but please wear long pants.

A good, comfortable, pair of walking shoes will be a must. We'll do a lot of walking in Japan. If you plan to buy shoes for the trip, be sure to get them soon and break them in. Nothing could be more miserable than blisters on a tour. So plan ahead. Break em in.

Be sure to bring several cotton handkerchiefs. Napkins and paper towels are unsual in Japan. Restautants and restrooms often do not have towels. Handkerchiefs are also a good way to wipe away perspiration during the day.

First Entry

If you have links to resources, favorite sites, interesting places to visit, please include them in comments below.

If you have book suggestions, we'll list them here too.

We'll regularly update this blog so we can share our interests and excitement.