Japan : New places

Given this was Jo's first time in Japan there were some places she needed to see. Tokyo, Gold pavilion in Kyoto, Zen garden, Hiroshima, Itsukushima shrine and Miyajima, and old japan places like Takayama.
But I wanted to be able to show her typical Japan sights but newer to me.
So for me the new places and experiences were, Murin-an garden in Kyoto, Pontocho dining in Kyoto, Inuyama, Fukuyama.

Tomono Ura lantern 

 tomonoura is a small fishing village south of Fukuyama  The lantern features in the Ghibli studio animation Ponyo as well as the village as site of movie Wolverine.

The ferry to the small shrine island of the town 

It was a lovely sunny day to explore the seaside and the old houses

original house

Tomonoura is also home to the shop of Uoya Manzô, where Sakamoto Ryôma engaged in negotiations surrounding the Iroha-maru Incident .

The Iroha Maru incident by the Kaientai (association of lordless samurai), led by Sakamoto Ryōma,   Iroha Maru, a steamship, collided with a warship of the Kishū Domain and later sank off the coast of Tomonoura. Tomonoura was where Ryōma had negotiations to obtain compensation from the Kishū Domain. Some buildings related to the incident still remain there, including the merchant house where Ryōma and his companions stayed and the place where the first maritime trial was conducted in Japan.

 

Fish drying along the water side 

In Kurashiki with Kiyoe we went to this temple where we saw several priests

early signs pf Boy's Day May 5th

 Ponto-chō is a Hanamachi district in Kyoto,  known for geiko and maiko and home to many geiko houses and traditional tea houses. Like Gion, Ponto-chō is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.

 We didn't take in the Geiko entertainment but did explore all the restaurant ally and finally chose a beef place pictured above

 Fukuyama was a new place for me and the view from our room window Spectacular!

 We were 1 minute walk from the station and easy access for Hiroshima and Kurashiki

View from our hotel room Fukuyama

From Nagoya were travelled to Inuyama (as well as Shibori town of Arimatsu)

 Cherry blossom was still in full swing there 

Inuyama Castle We climbed to the top 

A better photo after a hilarious result of a selfie I tried !

Repetition of things creates its own appeal.

Spotted this man selling grilled Ayu (sweet fish) 

Jo tucking in 

Storage shed for a festival float