Fri, Sep 28, 2012
Beginning of the journey in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary.Jérome presents his guide in Kyoto Mayumi Yoshida.They go to the tea ceremony.Later they cross the bamboo forest and visit Japanese gardens: these gardens have been created around the temple to help for the meditation.Then Jérome is in Gion, the historical neighborhood of Kyoto and will eat in a traditional restaurant.The daughter of the owner explains Jerome who are the geisha (in Kyoto they prefer to say geiko) and the maiko (apprentice): women who have a strong artistic education.Later Mayumi and Jerome meet a man who writes about samurais and has a 700 years old "katana".Then Jérome meets the Master Ogasawara who give lessons of propriety, an introduction to archery on horseback.Then Jérome takes the Shinkanseen to Shodoshima and visits a soy sauce factory (2 and half year of fermentation).He meets also free diving fisher-women (mainly 60 years old women) who are following this fishing tradition.In the valley of Lya Jérome sees a restored guest house with thatched roofs, then has a talk with a tea producer, sees a vine bridge and enjoy a bath in a hot springs.And last stop: the monastery of Koyasan with its 117 temples, a peaceful cemetery in the middle of the forest and the temple which is also an inn for the visitors.
