2-3 Weeks in Japan, what to see, where to go?

[greeknakos]

Greetings,

In my research on braiding, weaving, and spinning in English sources coming to dead-ends but opening up many great opportunities in museums and libraries in Japan, I'm planning a trip in late Oct this year or late Mar next year.

So if you could spend two or three weeks in Japan, what museums, shops, districts, and in general must see sights would you visit and if you've already been what would you recommend to go and/or avoid?
Is the JP rail pass worth it and should I stick with the basic pass or upgrade? I'm primarily interested in seeing weaving, spinning, and braiding sights/shops/museums but other museums, fabric districts, libraries, etc are definitely on the to-do list.

Some places that I already have in mind are:

Kyoto Costume Museum
Kyoto Shibori Museum
Toyota Textile Machinery Museum
Toyota Library
Adachi Kumihimo Museum
Shosoin

Nakos

[Please Delete]

You will likely want to go to the Nishijin Textile Center, in Kyoto. They usually have looms in operation, and they do have some history of weaving there.

-Ii

[greeknakos]

Jul 4, 2015 18:31:48 GMT -5 Please Delete said:

You will likely want to go to the Nishijin Textile Center, in Kyoto. They usually have looms in operation, and they do have some history of weaving there.

-Ii

Yes, that has been added to my itinerary, along with the Tokyo and Kyoto National Museums and the NDL.

Nakos

[Kagami Tomoko]

While it doesn't necessarily fit your textile themed trip, I super loved visiting Takayama, also known as little Kyoto. I enjoyed the atmosphere of being in the mountains and there is a rather large artist community in the surrounding area. If you're visiting in October, you have the opportunity to see the Takayama Festival. I've not seen the Autumn version, but the spring version was fantastic! www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/takayamamatsuri.html

I will admit, when I visited Japan, I had inadvertently planned around the festivals. Every new city was selected and visited at the height of their local festival. It really is quite amazing to see the whole city out and about at festival hour. Just make sure you plan ahead and book a hotel, hostel, etc. A link for some festival stuff: www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/festivals/#10

If you visit any shrines, consider purchasing a book for temple stamps: a Shuincho. It becomes a log of your visit and is beautiful to witness the calligraphy done in person. Some more links: vimeo.com/66205119 | porkintheroad.blogspot.com/2014/04/starting-on-my-shuin-cho-memories-of.html

I've never been but en.japantravel.com/view/arimatsu-textile-museum might be an interesting experience for you.

[Saionji Shonagon]

If you go in late October, you can hit the Nara National Museum for their annual exhibition of treasures from the Shoso-in and the Jidai Matsuri is on October 22 in Kyoto. Toji Temple has a great flea market on the 21st of each month - I scored a bolt of kasuri cotton among other things.

While in Kyoto, splurge on a Heian banquet at Rokusei www.rokusei.co.jp/english/index.html
Also in Kyoto is an amazing little izakaya called Okariba - let Aoki-san feed you anything from barbecued pork to bee larva, it's all good! omnomvorous.com/2014/02/kyoto-contrasts-hyotei-okariba/

Folks have already mentioned the Nishijin Textile Centre, but be sure to walk around the neighborhood and keep your eyes open. We passed a place with bolts of kinran out front and posters showing their wares costuming the cast of the latest NHK Taiga drama. (I will budget accordingly and have a bigger fabric allowance for the next time.)

[greeknakos]

Unfortunately, it looks like we won't make the Oct time frame. The State Dept is experiencing a large delay in passports and my wife really wants to see the cherry blossoms in March. But I think we will be adding the Toji Temple and Rokusei for sure. Okariba should be on the list, my wife wants to explore the local cuisine. I figure if we spend a week in Kyoto and a week in Tokyo with up to a week to visit other cities and sites that should get us to pretty much everything I need to see and hopefully a lot of what we want to see. The exact timeline will depend on how many sites get added and a reasonable time to see them all but right now I'm ballparking a day per library/museum/temple.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Honestly, you have to work hard to eat badly in Japan. Another good izakaya with a fresh, modern vibe was Bamboo, right near Higashiyama subway stop on Sanjo-dori (Kyoto). We liked it so much we ate there twice.

I'm envious - I want to go back as soon as my vacation time accrual and budget will allow.

[Kagami Tomoko]

If you're in Kyoto for a time, I would recommend trying: akirarhythm.wix.com/ezez. The chef is an odd one but full of generosity and mirth!

Also, both Myoshinji, Daishin-in templelodging.com/spot/05kansai/kyoto004.html and Shunkoin www.shunkoin.com/ are known for having English travelers stay at their temples. It truly is an amazing experience and you get a feel for what it's like living in a zen buddhist monastery. I had the honor of staying at both locations.

In Tokyo, Capsule hotels are fun to stay in and there are some new coed hotels popping up. If food is you thing, reserve a spot an Jiro's! www.sushi-jiro.jp/ Don't know who that is? Movie time! www.magpictures.com/jirodreamsofsushi/

Lastly, I agree with Saionji-dono, splurge on the Heian banquet at Rokusei.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2015 10:52:53 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

good izakaya

Is there any problem that good pub food can't resolve, anywhere in the world?