The Ryokan

A ryokan is considered to be the old style Japanese Inn. You could say that they are similar to a bed and breakfast back home. We arrived and had to leave our shoes at the door. We were issued slippers for our 24 hour stay. When we arrived in the room there was only a table in the middle of the room. There we had tea and something sweet. Then we changed in to our kimonoes. Mine was pink - it matched my pink toenail polish! Then we went down for a bath in the very hot water! I won't go in to much detail here - but let's just say it was interesting! Then - we had a Japanese dinner. It was really a lot of fun. When we returned to our rooms our beds were laid out for us. It looked much more comfortable than it was! My pillow was made of rice. It weighed a ton. Needless to say - I did not sleep very well last night. All in all it was fun for the mere experience. We left the ryokan this morning and have now arrived back in Tokyo. Once again I have an incredible view from my window! When we got back we had to make an immediate stop - MCDONALD'S!!!! We are all ready for some American food. It was very funny seeing all of the Americans heading for McDonald's. When you have fish and rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - it gets a little old....... By the way - Paula, no monkeys!!!!!