Fujiya Hotel--Hakone

The next morning, Tuesday, we slept in a bit (we had been up the last few days around fivish--the sun already bright and shining), and started getting ready to catch the shinkansen (the Japanese bullet train).  The shinkansen can go up to 320 km/h.  We went from Kyto to Odawara, where we were meeting more of our Japanese cousins.

 As Emily and I got ready for the day, she started to get antsy.  I thought she said we need to leave by 7:45.  I was taking my time getting ready, and we left by 7:30--15 minutes before I thought she wanted to leave, so I didn't understand why she was so agitated.  Apparently, I misunderstood, and she had wanted to be there by 7:45 (the train leaves right on time, and if you know Emily, you know that she likes to be half an hour early to everything--that is considered on-time for her).  In an effort to get to the train station faster, we took a "shortcut" which ended up taking more time than if we had just gone our usual way (doesn't that always seem to be the case?).
We had all our luggage and as we practically ran through the streets of Kyoto, we got pretty hot and sweaty--so much for getting ready for the day.  Emily's big bag kept knocking against her leg, increasing her frustration.  Our train was to leave at 8:33, and we made it, with about 5-10 minutes to spare before the train arrived.  It ended up being much closer in timing than either of us cared for. 

It was fun to see the world zip by as we shot across the Japanese countryside.  I tried to take a few pictures but we were going so fast that they all came out blurry.  The train ride was nice and it gave us a chance to relax before meeting up with our cousins, whom we would be spending the night with before continuing on our way to Fuji-Q the next day.

Masao-San and Mitsuko-San picked us up at the train station.  Masao-San is Kiyoshi-San's older brother.  Masao-San and Mitsuko-San are Tomoko-San's parents.  They have two other daughters, Hiroko-San and Junko-San which we would meet later at their house.  Kiyoshi-San had warned us that Masao-San didn't speak any English (and wouldn't even try), but he surprised us and did know a little and attempted to communicate in English when he could.  Mitsuko-San also spoke a little English, and with Emily doing the translating when they didn't know the words, we were able to understand one another.  They were so warm and friendly, and excited to show us everything they could.  It was as though we had been separated for years and finally reunited, instead of meeting for the first time (well, Emily had spent time with them previously--but you get what I mean).  

Our first stop was at the Fujiya Hotel, where we took a hotel tour and had tea.  Fujiya hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Japan, built in 1878, and has had many famous visitors from around the world, including (but not limited to): Charlie Chaplin, Helen Keller, John Lennon, Prince Albert (later George VI) of the UK, the Swedish Crown Prince, the Emperor Showa, and the current Emperor and Empress.

It was very impressive, and there is a whole section just devoted to all the famous people who had visited.  A small museum in the hotel.  I didn't take any pictures on our tour, and I didn't ask.  It just didn't feel right.

Hanging our wishes on the bamboo tree for Tanabata, the Japanese star festival. This holiday celebrates the legend of Vega and Altair, two stars who are madly in love but separated by the vast Milky Way. Legend has it that these two lovers are only given one day throughout the year to be together, that day being the Tanabata,or "evening of the seventh." Consequently, Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th--the seventh day of the seventh month (some regions August 7th due to the old lunar calendar). We all hung a wish on the tree.

Our tea and anko--a red bean paste sweet

Koi pond in one of the gardens

Such beautiful landscape