the tall blond guy goes to japan

Ryokan

Kyoto

I've never really talked too much about the places I've stayed in Japan, primarily because I don't think any of them really deserved a mention. They were generally good (except for that place in Hiroshima, but even it wasn't that bad). They tended to be okay, but ultimately fogettable.

This one is different.

It's a traditional Japanese inn, or "Ryokan", and ironically, it's the only place I've stayed in since I got here that offers a dependable telephone hookup and safe-looking power plugs.

Aside: The AC power in Japan is roughly similar to power that you'd find in North America. It's 110V as opposed to 120V so charging things will charge more slowly. Aside from that, it's more or less the same. The PowerBook didn't care, but my external modem was a bit flakey. I don't know if it was just regular modem non-dependableness, or if it had something to do with the power. Mental note: next time, bring a PCMCIA modem. The telephone plugs are the same little modular RJ-whatever plugs that are in widespread use in North America.

They still drive on the wrong side of the street though. They drive on the left side, which is right here, as opposed to the right side which is wrong. At home, right is right and left is wrong, but here right is wrong and left is right. Unless you're driving some BMW's or American cars, in which case you can drive however you please.

But back to the ryokan. It's in a newish building, about 2 minutes south of the JR station. Tkae the exit nearest the Shinkansen tracks and walk about 4 blocks down that street (Karasuma dori). It's on the left, across the street from FamilyMart. Oh- the name? It's called "Station Ryokan Seiki". It's family owned and operated. And here comes the weird part: I actually understood what they were saying to me as I checked in. I don't remember if it was English or Japanese (probably a mixture of the two) but I actually got the jist of what was going on. They were showing me maps of the city, pointing out interesting things to see, how to get there, walking tours of the area, how much the subway costs and where it goes- lots and lots of stuff. They really made me feel welcome. If I ever have the opportunity to come back here, I'll be staying there again, definitely. Prices were very reasonable when compared with other ryokan, which are generally a few hundred yen more pricey than hotels.

You're allowed to wear your shoes for about the first two feet of the ryokan. After that, it's bye bye shoes, hello loud slappy slippers. The slippers are worn in the hallway and all public areas, but are removed when you enter your room.

My messy room. Note PowerBook, always open.

The floors of individual rooms have kind of a straw-matting. I don't know what it's made of, but it's more comfortable than carpet. Most of what happens in this room happens from floor-level... the fridge is down there, the phone and television are on a very low table. These three modern things aren't found in many ryokan, so I was very surprised to find them in this one. Not that I watched TV, but I used the phone and the fridge.

After unpacking and making a mess (as is my custom), I sat comfortably on the floor for half an hour, trying to convince my various inanimate travelling companions to go out and fetch me some food. Nobody moved. Eventually, I convinced my body to go out and buy some food to eat.

I found something really nifty across the street at FamilyMart (kind of a 7-11 type store). Individually-wrapped Kit Kat bars, with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Mmmmmm!