Day 3 // Tokyo Arrival
After all the innocent and gentle service from the all female crew on All Nippon Airways, I landed in Tokyo unscathed. I was fine. A bit gazzed out but okay. The crew did their bows and I deplaned. Swiftly through customs, I got onto the JR Express from Narita to Tokyo, then on a train to Kyoto. The train system in Japan is immense, complex yet easy to navigate. The trains are super high speed and very clean and VERY EXPENSIVE. If you are traveling to Japan and have time in advance to purchase a JR Pass, this will allow you to travel on an unlimited basis by rail and ferry for a set amount of days. A 7-day pass costs around $300. I obviously did not have time to purchase the JR Pass in advance, so I was looking at anywhere between $100 and $150 per train ride. Ouch!
The trains are mostly operated by a female crew. They even have young pretty ladies who come through the aisle every so often selling rice snacks, bento boxes, and other delicious treats.
In another 5 hours, fueled by a berry flavored 5-Hour energy shot, I arrived at the Kyoto Hyatt Regency hotel—a stunning hotel. The lobby was grand and featured beautiful high cealings addorned in soft gold colors. The entire lobby was fixed with beautiful Japanese lattice work which created a truly unique design effect. A smooth spiral staircase was the lobby’s key design feature. I felt warm and comfortable. I was escorted to my room by a female bell hop. My simple yet modern room featured a soft modern Japanese style with a low bed, easy lighting and a spa bathroom. The best part of the room was the Toto toilet. When you approach, the lid pops open, plays music and invites you to sit in its warm seat. It will clean you, clean itself, dry you and dry itself all with the push of buttons. Un-real. At this point, I was up for 24 hours. Knowing that I was in for delicious Japanese cuisines, I decided to order a hamburger and fries immediately following a sleeping tablet. Lights out. I’m getting one delivered to Manhattan tomorrow 😉 Good night. Day 3 // Kyoto City Tour
Prior to my departure, I wanted to see Kyoto. I did not necessarily want to wander around the city on my own, I wanted a more formal introduction to this beautiful city. I went onto Viator.com and booked a morning half day city tour. As I met around 25 other travelers from around the world, we boarded a tour bus and visited some of Kyoto that was operated by yet another female driver. Where are the men? Females are the drivers, operators, cooks, flight attendants, bell hops, and so on… Very interesting…
Our first stop was the Nijo Castle built in 1626. Nijo Castle (二条城, Nijōjō) was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867). His grandson Iemitsu completed the castle’s palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a five story castle keep. We took off our shoes, as you are request before entering into any temple, or hotel room, and some restaurants. The greatest feature of this fortified structure were the floors. As we walked through the castle, the floors made a light squeek sound, almost sounds like small birds chirping. The soothing sound of this floor was actually a security feature to warn of intruders. Once may say that this was the first home security system 😉
All of a sudden, the sound of young school girls filled the palace. I would say at least 200 13 to 15 year old school girls came flying through. They were on a class trip. They saw me, I saw them and waived. The reaction that came from these girls when I waved and smiled could be compared to Justin Bieber showing up in Times Square. It was pretty cool. We turned the corner away from the screaming Japanese studenttes. But I wanted more. As we ran into the girls outside again, I screamed out Konnichiwa!!! They lost it and so did I.
We then visited the beautiful Golden Pavilion in Kyoto which is a Zen Buddhist temple. The structure in the middle of a lake truly shined in its regal stature. As we wandered through the surrounding forest of lush, green flora and fauna, we found a farmer’s market selling anything and everything green tea. I devoured green tea cookies, green tea buns, green tea candies, and green tea. They call me Dane Steele Green Tea now. 
After a tour through modern Kyoto, I returned to my hotel to grab my bags and take a 30 minute taxi to what I have been waiting for: HOSHINOYA KYOTO!As I arrived at Hoshinoya Kyoto’s private boat landing that was supposed to take me up the Hozu-Gawa River, the sound of the high water levels obviously did not make for safe conditions. Next to the landing was a quaint departing lounge for all guests of Hoshinoya Kyoto. I was offered green tea, a hot towel and snacks. I then hoped into a waiting car that personally escorted me alongside the river through gorgeous and lush mountainside to the resort, about 5 minutes away. 
As we pulled up to this gorgeous small resort, I was met by my host, Yoko, who was to take care of me during my stay. My stunning villa over looked the river. I was served delicious Japanese snacks, and changed into my comfortable Japanese loungewear while I enjoyed a cup of green tea as I settled into my room. Yoko set up my dinner and activities over the next few days. I decided to draw myself a bath in the deep cedar tree bathtub and finished book #3 of the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire.
Later that evening, I was invited to a traditional Japanese 13-course Kaiseki. I joined another couple and two other Japanese single travelers. We watched a handsome Japanese man make homemade buckwheat noodles as we were served this out of this world traditional Japanese feast ornately served with cold Japanese sake. It was a world class dining experience and cultural event. A bit buzzed from my sake and on a high from the experience, I retired to bed early. As I laid on my Japanese futon, I fell to the sounds of the rushing Japanese river with a soft smile on my face.