Greetings friends, clients, and Asia colleagues!
Hope you enjoyed reading our Lynch Family Part I April 2010 Japan luxury cherry blossoms trip. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I now wish to share with all of you Part II, including, of course, "Zen's Journal," our brief stop in Koyasan, returning back to our beloved Kyoto, our first visit to the amazing Kayotei ryokan near Kanazawa and then back up to Toyko. Also, we have included a brief preview of our February 2011 - EGYPT 9 day private tour, including a 4 night Nile River luxury cruise.
KOYASAN
Despite the 3 ½ hour travel time from Kyoto (Shinkansen-subway-train-cable car), we thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay in Koyasan. Founded in the 9th century, Koyasan is home to Shingon Buddhism and is considered of one of Japan's holiest mountains.
With over 117 temples and 53 shukubo (think temple ryokan) set in a spectacular forested hills, we found this monastic refuge to be magical and other-worldly. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality, sincere service we received at the Fukushi-Inn (ryokan). The mostly young, male Buddhist staff delivered a delicious, tofu-centered vegetarian kaiseki dinner that we all thoroughly enjoyed. The meal was skillfully cooked without any use of meat, fish, onions, or garlic. Koyasan's Okuno-in Cemetery temple grounds we found to be most interesting. We walked along a eerie, winding cobbled path lined by tall cypress trees with an estimated half million tombs set on both sides. Many noteworthy and peculiar individuals are interned here, including White Ant Memorial built by a pesticide company to honor the thousands of ants that they exterminated!
Koyasan is where we met our Israeli back-packing friend, Moran. Although Moran was intent on backpacking throughout Japan in 30 days, she seemed tired and somewhat disoriented when we first met her on the streets of Koyasan. We felt Moran was in need of some friendly faces and some overdue pampering. Within one day we successfully converted Moran from a struggling budget backpacker to a part of our luxury travel family. Zen, Zuri and Moran would be inseparable for the next two days!
KAYOTEI INN (RYOKAN) - GRADE A
Located in the small hot springs village of Yamanaka, Ishikawa Prefecture, not far from Kanazawa, our stay at Kayotei (1.5 hour by train from Kyoto) was likely our most pleasurable experience during this 8-day Japan trip.
This place has it all - discreet, unpretentious luxury coupled with traditional heartfelt Japanese service. Limited to only 10 sukiya-style suites, General Manager Jiro Takeuchi and his staff can afford to provide singular, high-touch service to each and every guest. Bev, Zen Zuri and I were simply overwhlemed by the personal attention to every detail of our stay - think of Tawaraya service levels set in a green lush environment. Zen and Zuri particularly enjoyed their private onsen/hot springs bath just outside their room on the balcony. An added bonus of staying at Kayotei is its green, forested setting. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I enjoyed a beautiful hike along the verdant winding path adjacent the nearby Dashoji River, clinging to the Kakusenkei Gorge.
KYOTO
When visiting Kyoto we normally spend one or two nights at our favorite high-touch ryokans, Tawaraya or Hiiragiya. Amazingly, two of the most famous ryokans in all of Japan are located directly across the alleyway from each other. It's difficult to distinguish between Tawaraya and Hiiragiya. They both represent the very highest levels of unpretentious luxury, integrating the finest Japanese traditions with contemporary conveniences that seasoned travelers expect. We always follow our ryokan stays with a couple of nights at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, our much preferred 5 star hotel choice in this beautiful city.
Designed by Japan's superstar design firm, Super Potato, the Hyatt embraces a clean, minimalist update on traditional Japanese style. Zen, Zuri and Bev love the Regency Executive King rooms featuring washi-paper lights, kimono fabrics, and deep cedar tubs. Incredibly, in the four years we have visited the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, we have seen most of the same friendly, smiley faces at the Front Desk/Concierge/lobby area - kudos to General Manager Ken Yokoyama in retaining such a wealth of young talent.
FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA
Fushimi Inari Taisha, located in the southeast suburbs of Fushimi-ku Kyoto, is perhaps our favorite shrine in Japan. (Fushimi is featured in the beginning of the film, "Memoirs of a Geisha"). Fushimi is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit Inari, whose name was derived from "ine-nari" or "growing rice" or "grain". The 4km-long tunnel of thousands of torii gates at Fushimi were donated by individuals, families, and Japanese businesses. Depending on how high you walk along the pathway, this can be a long, somewhat taxing trek. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I very much enjoyed the eerie, magical ambiance of Fushimi.
ZEN'S CORNER
JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS
Hello fellow global kid travelers!
Hope I gave you a good taste of Japan in my Part I journal. Summer camp is coming soon but I still need to finish telling you about our Japan trip, Part II.
OUR FAVORITE PLACE
Zuri and I really loved Kayotei ryokan. What would any 9 year-old kid not like about having their own private room and balcony onsen (hot mineral springs) - Zuri and I thought we were in heaven. Also, our hostess and the food were beyond awesome. For breakfast we chose the American option which was more delicious than any breakfast I've had in Chicago!
We later walked along the beautiful path from Kayotei to the town of Yamanaka. I bought a very cool skull jacket there. One of my teachers at Parker (Mr. O'Brien) wants it for himself and I am officially bequeathing it to him!!
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Meeting our new (back-packing) friend, Moran, at Koyasan. After two days, Zuri and I felt like Moran was our adopted Israeli sister. The weird thing is that Moran loves Japan but does no eat sushi - Moran, we have to talk!
FUNNIEST THING
The Hyatt Regency Kyoto has these really cool clear glass sliding doors at the entrance - so clear that my dad walked right through and really bumped his head! Sorry, Dad, but next time less talking!
MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT - SUSHIIWA IN KYOTO
Zuri and I agree that the sushi at Sushiiwa was the very best of our trip. The salmon eggs (nigiri-ikura) are so good!!!
PENINSULA TOKYO
We spent our last night in Japan at my FAVORITE hotel in Tokyo, the Peninsula. I loved the room's really cool telescope for looking out over the Imperial grounds. Of course, we can never get enough of the incredible TOTO toilets - it's all hands-free! Zuri became obsessed with the Peninsula's room service - I think she has a future in hospitality!
FINALLY - EGYPT!
I love Asia, but 8 trips to Asia in the past 3 years seems a bit too much. Mom and I finally convinced Dad to travel to Egypt next year - we are so excited! Here we come Nile River!
Enjoy the summer and thank you!
Zennia Lynch
6.02.2010
JAPAN APRIL 2010 SAKURA CHERRY BLOSSOMS TRIP - PART I
Greetings friends, clients and Asia colleagues!
The Lynch Family (Randy, Bev & Zennia) has returned from our fourth April sakura/cherry blossoms trip. We were excited to travel with Zen's special guest on this trip, her Parker third grade classmate, Zuri. Zen & Zuri were quite the dynamic travel duo!
Starting in Tokyo, we further explored Kyoto, Koyasan and then on Kanazawa. Similar to past trips we criss-crossed between old and new Japan...The orderly balanced Shinto/Buddhist centered culture of traditional Japan in contrast to its futuristic technology-driven subculture and most unique aesthetics. Traveling within the context of a high-touch, private touring experience, we surveyed additional luxury ryokans and interesting cultural experiences. (think private tea ceremony & samurai sword lesson!) We have decided to share with you our whirlwind 8-day tour in two separate newsletters. Part 1 including "Zen's Journal" follows - please enjoy!
TOKYO (IMPERIAL - MEIJI - HARAJUKU - "MAID CAFE")
On past Tokyo trips we have stayed at the Peninsula, Four Seasons, the Mandarin and Hotel Seiyo Ginza - all outstanding though we much prefer the Peninsula's location across from Hibiya Park and the Imperial grounds. For this trip we decided to try the venerable 5 star Imperial Hotel. Located on the opposite side of Hibiya Park from the Peninsula, the service here was excellent. However, being a large/business/convention hotel (900 rooms!), the scale and size of the Imperial did not really fit our tastes. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I agree that we thoroughly enjoyed or Easter brunch at the Imperial's 11th floor buffet restaurant - amazing food and great service! The buffet offered a traditional "American" breakfast section as well as a "Japanese" breakfast area. The contrast in the two food sections I felt was an appropriate metaphor for Japanese healthy living lifestyle vs the high-fat American diet.
Japanese Buffet: salmon, carrots, mixed cabbage, pickled radish, boiled spinach, pickled nozawana rice
American Buffet: friend bacon, french toast, pancakes, fried potatoes, sausage
FYI Japan remains near the very top for longevity rates in the world while the U.S. ranks 42nd!
MEIJI SHRINE & HARAJUKU
Following our annual pilgrimage to Meiji Shrine we headed to nearby Harajuku and the trendy teenage mecca of Takeshita Street. Despite the overflowing crowds, Zen and Zuri were enthralled with the countless shops selling everything a young global teen would desire - clothing, accessories, videos, food!
SHINKANSEN (BULLET) F CLASS N700 "GREEN" CAR TOKYO/KYOTO
We never tire of riding the Shinkansen (Bullet) N700 F Class "Green" Cars - fastidiously clean, ultra-comfortable seating, and SPEED. These duck-billed bullet trains are most impressive with innovative "tilting" technology that allows the train to tilt one degree to maintain high speeds, even on turns. Another bonus - these trains are QUIET and SMOOTH.
KYOTO (PRIVATE TEA CEREMONY AT TEA MASTER MS. SUZUKI'S HOME)
Although this sounds ponderously taxing, a private tea ceremony is most interesting with the hour or so going by very quickly! Believed to be introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the late 12th century, powdered "matcha" green tea is considered the highest quality tea in all of Japan.
Over a dozen steps, including the respectful exchange of greetings, eating the tea sweets, mixing the green powder tea and water with the bamboo whisk, et. al. Following the careful instruction of the tea master, Ms. Suzuki, Zen and Zuri soon became spellbound with the simplicity and beauty of the preparing, serving and drinking the tea. In effect, the tea ceremony is a stylized manifestation of Japan's unique wabi-sabi aesthetic, reflecting a deep-rooted Japanese cultural tradition.
HOSHINOYA RYOKAN (OUTSIDE KYOTO)
Sorry, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure, we feel Hoshinoya is not quite ready to be placed on our "Favorites" list.
Although advertised as Hoshinoya Kyoto, this luxury East-West fusion ryokan is actually located in Arashiyama, an approx. 45 minute drive from central Kyoto. With 25 guest rooms set alongside the clean, tranquil Hozu River, we found the setting here quite beautiful and picturesque. Hoshinoya is a couples retreat; definitely not a family, kids-friendly environment with few activities. Hoshinoya is trying to combine an "Aman" like sense of exclusive luxury with the aesthetic/culture of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Based on its distance from Kyoto, with all of its rich cultural/culinary options, we feel there are more compelling alternatives for those making a 3-4 day trip to Kyoto: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya ryokan or the sleek minimalist Hyatt Regency Kyoto. I feel the addition of full-service spa activities would definitely enhance the desirability of staying at Hoshinoya - we will keep you posted!
Part II of our Japan trip featuring Koyasan, more of Kyoto and Kanazawa coming soon...including the amazing Kayo-tei ryokan.
Many thanks & Safe Travels! - Now a few words from Zen...
Randy
ZEN'S CORNER
JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS
Hello fellow global kid travelers!
Our 4th sakura/cherry blossoms trip - I cannot believe my first sakura trip was back when I was 6! This was my first trip with my 3rd grade classmate, Zuri. Wow - so much fun!! Let me tell you a few things Zuri and I experienced NOT covered by my Dad.
*Tokyo "Maid Cafe": This was AWK-ward! Dudes being entertained at lunch by young girls dressed like cutesy (kawaii) maids. Sorry, we don't get it! Zuri, my parents and I were all thinking, "Why are we here?"
*Private Tea Ceremony: Zuri and I both loved making the matcha green tea, the sweets and learning all the steps in the ceremony. The Tea Master was so kind to us.
*Private Samurai Lesson: We both agree this was the most AWESOME experience of the whole trip! I think the best part was the Japanese actors faking their dramatic deaths from our fatal lunges - it felt so real!
*Biggest Downer: My dad is a big fan of Ippodo Tea company in Kyoto - but why he would cut short our Samurai sword lesson for a visit to Ippodo is totally beyond Zuri and I. A tea company! Sorry Dad, but boring!
Part 2 coming in our next newsletter!
Goodbye for now & thank you!
Zennia Lynch
The Lynch Family (Randy, Bev & Zennia) has returned from our fourth April sakura/cherry blossoms trip. We were excited to travel with Zen's special guest on this trip, her Parker third grade classmate, Zuri. Zen & Zuri were quite the dynamic travel duo!
Starting in Tokyo, we further explored Kyoto, Koyasan and then on Kanazawa. Similar to past trips we criss-crossed between old and new Japan...The orderly balanced Shinto/Buddhist centered culture of traditional Japan in contrast to its futuristic technology-driven subculture and most unique aesthetics. Traveling within the context of a high-touch, private touring experience, we surveyed additional luxury ryokans and interesting cultural experiences. (think private tea ceremony & samurai sword lesson!) We have decided to share with you our whirlwind 8-day tour in two separate newsletters. Part 1 including "Zen's Journal" follows - please enjoy!
TOKYO (IMPERIAL - MEIJI - HARAJUKU - "MAID CAFE")
On past Tokyo trips we have stayed at the Peninsula, Four Seasons, the Mandarin and Hotel Seiyo Ginza - all outstanding though we much prefer the Peninsula's location across from Hibiya Park and the Imperial grounds. For this trip we decided to try the venerable 5 star Imperial Hotel. Located on the opposite side of Hibiya Park from the Peninsula, the service here was excellent. However, being a large/business/convention hotel (900 rooms!), the scale and size of the Imperial did not really fit our tastes. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I agree that we thoroughly enjoyed or Easter brunch at the Imperial's 11th floor buffet restaurant - amazing food and great service! The buffet offered a traditional "American" breakfast section as well as a "Japanese" breakfast area. The contrast in the two food sections I felt was an appropriate metaphor for Japanese healthy living lifestyle vs the high-fat American diet.
Japanese Buffet: salmon, carrots, mixed cabbage, pickled radish, boiled spinach, pickled nozawana rice
American Buffet: friend bacon, french toast, pancakes, fried potatoes, sausage
FYI Japan remains near the very top for longevity rates in the world while the U.S. ranks 42nd!
MEIJI SHRINE & HARAJUKU
Following our annual pilgrimage to Meiji Shrine we headed to nearby Harajuku and the trendy teenage mecca of Takeshita Street. Despite the overflowing crowds, Zen and Zuri were enthralled with the countless shops selling everything a young global teen would desire - clothing, accessories, videos, food!
SHINKANSEN (BULLET) F CLASS N700 "GREEN" CAR TOKYO/KYOTO
We never tire of riding the Shinkansen (Bullet) N700 F Class "Green" Cars - fastidiously clean, ultra-comfortable seating, and SPEED. These duck-billed bullet trains are most impressive with innovative "tilting" technology that allows the train to tilt one degree to maintain high speeds, even on turns. Another bonus - these trains are QUIET and SMOOTH.
KYOTO (PRIVATE TEA CEREMONY AT TEA MASTER MS. SUZUKI'S HOME)
Although this sounds ponderously taxing, a private tea ceremony is most interesting with the hour or so going by very quickly! Believed to be introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the late 12th century, powdered "matcha" green tea is considered the highest quality tea in all of Japan.Over a dozen steps, including the respectful exchange of greetings, eating the tea sweets, mixing the green powder tea and water with the bamboo whisk, et. al. Following the careful instruction of the tea master, Ms. Suzuki, Zen and Zuri soon became spellbound with the simplicity and beauty of the preparing, serving and drinking the tea. In effect, the tea ceremony is a stylized manifestation of Japan's unique wabi-sabi aesthetic, reflecting a deep-rooted Japanese cultural tradition.
HOSHINOYA RYOKAN (OUTSIDE KYOTO)
Sorry, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure, we feel Hoshinoya is not quite ready to be placed on our "Favorites" list.
Although advertised as Hoshinoya Kyoto, this luxury East-West fusion ryokan is actually located in Arashiyama, an approx. 45 minute drive from central Kyoto. With 25 guest rooms set alongside the clean, tranquil Hozu River, we found the setting here quite beautiful and picturesque. Hoshinoya is a couples retreat; definitely not a family, kids-friendly environment with few activities. Hoshinoya is trying to combine an "Aman" like sense of exclusive luxury with the aesthetic/culture of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Based on its distance from Kyoto, with all of its rich cultural/culinary options, we feel there are more compelling alternatives for those making a 3-4 day trip to Kyoto: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya ryokan or the sleek minimalist Hyatt Regency Kyoto. I feel the addition of full-service spa activities would definitely enhance the desirability of staying at Hoshinoya - we will keep you posted!
Part II of our Japan trip featuring Koyasan, more of Kyoto and Kanazawa coming soon...including the amazing Kayo-tei ryokan.
Many thanks & Safe Travels! - Now a few words from Zen...
Randy
ZEN'S CORNERJAPAN HIGHLIGHTS
Hello fellow global kid travelers!
Our 4th sakura/cherry blossoms trip - I cannot believe my first sakura trip was back when I was 6! This was my first trip with my 3rd grade classmate, Zuri. Wow - so much fun!! Let me tell you a few things Zuri and I experienced NOT covered by my Dad.
*Tokyo "Maid Cafe": This was AWK-ward! Dudes being entertained at lunch by young girls dressed like cutesy (kawaii) maids. Sorry, we don't get it! Zuri, my parents and I were all thinking, "Why are we here?"
*Private Tea Ceremony: Zuri and I both loved making the matcha green tea, the sweets and learning all the steps in the ceremony. The Tea Master was so kind to us.
*Private Samurai Lesson: We both agree this was the most AWESOME experience of the whole trip! I think the best part was the Japanese actors faking their dramatic deaths from our fatal lunges - it felt so real!
*Biggest Downer: My dad is a big fan of Ippodo Tea company in Kyoto - but why he would cut short our Samurai sword lesson for a visit to Ippodo is totally beyond Zuri and I. A tea company! Sorry Dad, but boring!
Part 2 coming in our next newsletter!
Goodbye for now & thank you!
Zennia Lynch
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