“I-KE-NO-HATA Road?” Blank stares. Maybe it’s my pronounciation-I thought it should rhyme with “Hakuna Matata”(the theme song from The Lion King,) pronouncing every syllable. But I guess I’m wrong- no one seems to react when I say it.
The journey in from the airport was a piece of cake. Easy clear signs both in Japanese and English, directed us to the super-efficient,fast and spotlessly clean train system which would take us into Tokyo in 57 minutes precisely. It lulled us into the false optimism that the language barrier wouldn’t be a huge problem. Ha!
According to the directions emailed by our Ryokan ( a traditional Japanese inn) the road is a main Avenue, which should be the one we are on as we exited the train station. Masses of men, dressed in black suits, white shirts and determined faces looking down at their phone, stream by. The shopping street is brightly lit with neon signs, and colored lanterns line the parallel road where masses of cherry trees are in full bloom. Our efforts to stop passersby are met with polite smiles or unintelligle words, supposedly in English. Three policemen who are holed up in a mobile station, huddle together to ponder the question of where this road might be. A consensus, after asking three or four people who all confer with their phones for directions,seems to be to follow the road parallel to the park, near where we are now standing.
Thank God I only took a carry on case. As we wander on the deserted avenue, passing a night market for locals to enjoy “Hanami”, the cherry blossom season, we are unsure if we actually ARE going in the right direction. After a flurry of activity and restaurants with plastic foods in the window, nothing. Then on a street post we see a sign “Ryokan Katsutaro (pronounced KATZARO) 200 m ahead”.
THE DREAM OF DISTANT LANDS 
Glad that you found the inn and didn’t have to sleep in the park…….don’t be hard on yourself……jet-lag might also have been a factor……enjoy the beauty of the inn and keep writing your missives ……..
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Whew…..so glad you are safely tucked in by now. The cherry blossoms waited for you, I knew they would. Hugs
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Which airport did you land in? And did you only have a carry on case because you left the rest of your luggage at the airport? Danny and I are scheduled to land in Tokyo Haneda airport at 7:15pm and then leave from Haneda airport for Kushiro the next day at 12:45 pm, a little after noon. Do you think it will be overwhelming to go from Haneda to Tokyo for one night and then back to Haneda the following morning?. It sounds like Tokyo is overwhelming especially after a long plane ride. Do you like your Ryokan there?
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We came into Narita. It is about an hour from town and i think its too much to go in and out so quickly. I only took a carry on period. It.s enough. It,s really wonderful here and i love tokyo even with the crowds!
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Welcome to Japan, our favourite country in the whole world! I hope you will like it as much as we do!
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Love it already!
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Loving your missives about Japan. Brought so many memories of when I was there in the 80’s. Perfect combination of modern and ancient. Can’t wait to hear more. XO
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So happy to hear from you and that you are safely in Japan and enjoying! I’m looking forward to reading more about your experiences! This last one was very descriptive! If you come upon any especially photogenic and delicious dishes, I bet Moishe would be appreciative. The names also, phonetic or otherwise! 😊 Much love, Lena and Herschel
Sent from my iPhone
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Lena. Look on my FB I have lots of photos. Food is incredible.
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