Day 16: The Earth

Day 16: The Earth

Weather: Who cares? Cool, mid 60s, slight breeze

We’re spending the day at a tremendous, top of the line ryokan. We’re doing what most Japanese do not do: stay two days in a row and don’t ever leave the property.

Breakfast: THB has the Japanese breakfast, DB and M have the western style breakfast. THB is in heaven, it might be the best meal of the trip.

If you eat western style, you get a napkin!

THB's rice container

The western breakfast

Mid-morning: DB and M visit the “public” onsen, THB takes a nap.

 

Deck shoes are one size fits no westerner

First a note about the middle of the day: ryokans don’t really serve lunch, they expect their guests to check out by 10 or so (the vast majority) or go off for the day (everyone else).  So, we don’t see anyone else around the ryokan (other than staff) from around 10 to 2.

Lunch: THB has one of the best meals of the trip, tempura on rice. Light, subtle batter, perfectly cooked hot veggies and shrimp. Various pickles on the side, perfect coffee for dessert (THB learns later it is the same coffee he had in the morning, somehow it tasted better with lunch). DB has sushi and says same, it may be the best she’s ever had, including Mori Sushi in LA….did THB make the wrong choice….he doesn’t think so. M has udon and seems very content.

 

Tremendous tempura

Tremendous sushi

Afternoon: THB actually takes a walk, it feels great to be out without a pack on; DB and M visit the public onsen again; massages all around in the late afternoon.

Drinks: We visit the bar and have the bartender’s special cocktail, The Dragon’s Nest. THB and DB have heavy déjà vu: the same bartender made us the same drink when we were here two years ago. Excellent! He also supplies us with three types of shoju to taste. Shoju is a high alcohol spirit, usually served with water and ice. A sip is all that’s needed to know a) the potato tastes different from the wheat version and b) YOWZA, it’s an acquired taste.

 

Shoju taster

The Dragon's nest, the wizard does alchemy with alcohol 

Water with unusual ice cubes

Dinner: Another tremendous meal.

·      Aperitif of orange liqueur

·      Assorted hors d oeuvres: abalone, prawn, pumpkin, crab, sea urchin

·      Assorted sashimi: tuna, sea bream (same ones DB saw at lunch as sushi)

·      Ise lobster (tremendous, worth staying the extra night for)

·      Pacific saury sushi, squid marinated with cod roe

·      Beef with grilled hen-of-the-wood and asparagus

·      Steamed sea bream with Jew’s ear

·      Pickles, rice with mixed fish, miso

·      Dessert: pumpkin terrine with fruit