Kyoto Japan

Do’s and Don’ts of Public Bathing in Japan

Published June 5, 2018 | By Clark Norton

Many ryokans — traditional inns — offer public baths. Photo from Japan National Tourism

Sixth in a series

Taking a public bath in Japan can be a wonderfully relaxing experience — as long as you know the rules.

Our introduction to the baths came at Kyoto’s Funaoka Onsen, located on a nondescript street about a half hour’s walk from our Airbnb.

Here one can slip into a variety of hot and even hotter mineral-water pools, both indoors and out, and remain there until you start to boil. There’s also a sauna in case you need some roasting.

The residual effect is incredibly soothing and the perfect way to unwind after a day spent sightseeing or climbing small mountains.

Funaoka onsen is one of Kyoto’s oldest and finest public baths, though the most picturesque and authentic onsen are in the countryside and fueled by Japan’s multitude of hot springs.

But… Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Baby boomer travel, cultural travel, Japan, travel mistakes | Tagged Funaoka onsen, Japanese baths, Japanese hot springs, Kyoto Japan, onsen | 2 Comments

Coping With Cherry-Blossom Crowds in Kyoto, Japan

Published May 25, 2018 | By Clark Norton

The bamboo grove at Arashiyama

Fifth in a Series

At first, it wouldn’t seem that heading to some of Kyoto’s most popular attractions during cherry-blossom season would qualify as an escape.

But the key to finding the peace and quiet we were seeking amid the throngs, my wife Catharine and I found, was to just keep walking — and climbing — once we got there.

On the same day we visited the Ryoan-ji Zen rock garden and the Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), we boarded an antique narrow-gauge railway that carried us in romantic style to Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto. (You can also take more modern trains from Kyoto station, or take a bus or the subway.)

It was obvious when we arrived that however they had gotten to Arashiyama, a good portion of everyone visiting Kyoto had conspired to visit at the same time as… Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Baby boomer travel, cultural travel, Japan | Tagged Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto Japan, Kyoto travel, Mt. Inari Japan | Leave a comment

Kyoto’s Wealth of Cultural Riches

Published May 22, 2018 | By Clark Norton

Buddha in the gardens at Ryoan-ji temple, Kyoto, Japan

Fifth in a Series

Kyoto has so many cultural and spiritual treasures that spending just a few days there can be an exercise in frustration.

But once you accept the fact that no matter how long you stay, you’ll probably only scratch the surface of what’s there, you can zone into a sort of Zen state and do and see just what you can. I’m sure most visitors, as we did, vow to return in the future to take in more. Still…

Even coming back

Many times will never be

Enough so chill out

Well, I never was very good at Haiku, but acceptance of the inevitable is key. Pick your battles and go forth and conquer what you can — even in the crush of visiting hordes.

I was impressed with the Zen-like demeanor of a German couple we met… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, cultural travel, Foreign travel, Japan | Tagged Geishas Kyoto, Golden Pavilion Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji Kyoto, Kyoto Japan, Kyoto travel, Ryoan-ji rock garden | 2 Comments

The World’s Essential Cities for Travelers

Published January 9, 2018 | By Clark Norton

Paris night at the Arc de Triomphe. Photo by Dennis Cox/WorldViews

In my last post, Where to Go in 2018 (and Beyond), I presented what I consider to be the essential destinations in the U.S. (primarily cities and national parks), the essential European countries, and the essential counties in the rest of the world.

By essential, I mean those which any dedicated traveler should seek out to establish their “travel literacy,” if you will. They are not necessarily my favorite countries and destinations, but those that offer some unique quality that makes them stand out among all others.

For example, I love both the Mediterranean island countries of Malta and Cyprus — and strongly recommend seeing them — but not (necessarily) before visiting France or Spain.

For the purposes of this post, I’m going to skip over U.S. cities: New York, San Francisco and the rest, on the assumption… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Bucket Lists, Cities, cultural travel, Foreign travel, History | Tagged Athens Greece, Cairo Egypt, Florence Italy, Jerusalem Israel, Kyoto Japan, London England, Paris France, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Rome Italy, Shanghai China, Vatican City, Venice Italy | 1 Comment

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.