Kobe, Japan - Beef: It's NOT what's for dinner!

March 2nd, 2024

Kobe Japan - Kyoto 

Kobe Beef: It’s not what’s for dinner

 

In the States, you mention Kobe and everyone thinks Kobe beef.  Not quite the same here.   Oh, it’s advertised in the fancier hotels and some of the better shops around town, but it isn’t what’s on the plate of most of the regular folks living here.   It ain’t cheap.  Between 90 to 120 grams will set you back a hundred bucks and that is about 3 to 5 ounces or so.  

As we docked in Kobe this morning, we were welcomed by a couple of fireboats (no we weren't on fire!)  They greeted us with showers of colored water from their fireboats!!! Quite the welcome!

Instead of eating expensive beef today, we boarded a bus and went to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. It is about a 90 minute drive out of Kobe where we spent part of the day at Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Temple. This is a Buddhist temple.  Then on to the Nijo Castle and the rest of the day in the Geisha District.  Three pretty neat places.  Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan so there is a lot of history here along with all the temples, shrines, and gardens!

When they say Golden, they mean Golden.  This very elaborate building was built in 1397 and was the villa of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa.  The building was later converted into a temple and the top two floors are actually covered in pure gold foil.  I snuck as many golden tiles into my pockets as I could get!!   Paid for the entire trip!! Of course, as with any of the major Buddhist or Shinto temples or shrines, there is always a picturesque garden associated with it.  Did I mention that it was a beautiful day, compete with sun and snow flurries!  Vi was a picture-taking ninja today, stealthily diving in and out of tourists for just the right shot!!!

Before our next destination, we stopped and had lunch at a really nice hotel called Hankyu.  Here, we had a delicious meal.  Vi had tempura seaweed, and I liked the food that was more identifiable like the meatloaf with cheese.  For desert we had rice cakes with a sweet bean filling! And as usual, I had my beer of the day, Kirrin!  

After lunch we moved on to Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site.  Many of the bigger castles and temples also are surrounded with a moat which always made it more difficult for invading armies.  Built in 1679, Nijo castle is what they call a flatland castle in Kyoto.  The castle is reinforced by two concentric rings of fortifications.  An interesting aspect of this Shogun residence was the floor.  (Yes, we had to take our shoes off so as not to defile, and yes, it was cold walking around in our sock feet.)   It was built with what they call a nightingale floor which when walked upon warned the residents that someone was coming with footsteps that gave off a trill not unlike a bird song.  This was an early warning system that prevented someone with ill-gotten motives from sneaking up on the Shogun.   This castle, too, started out as a villa for the Shogun in power at that time.  Anything associated with the Shoguns of Japan of this time also reflected the prestige and power of the leading Shogun.   Shoguns were the leaders of the Samauri, and life for them was a constant struggle against enemy forces and their warring tendencies.  As the age or period of the Shogunate died out, Imperial rule was restored and the emperor moved the capital to Tokyo which was called Edo at the time.  It wasn’t until 1868 that the capital moved to Tokyo.  This move mostly came from the desire of some to come into a more modern era rather than keep the old traditions and custom which were prominent in Kyoto.

There are more than 80,000 Buddhist Temples and over 100,000 Shinto Shrines in Japan.   You cannot throw a rock without hitting one.   That being said, I think I have almost had my fill of them.   They are all beautiful in their own right and I am not downplaying their importance but it’s kind of like a tree.   If you have seen one leaf, you can pretty much be assured that the next leaf you see will be similar.  The one below is the Yasaka Jinja shrine. It stands out with its red/orange color.  We saw it on our walk to the Geisha District.  

Now, the Geisha district.   I know that some might think that Geisha is just another term for a lady of the evening but it is very much not that, and our guide repeated it several times to make sure we understood that very point.  In old Kyoto, several streets make up the area where young ladies got their training and learn the art of entertainment and escorting gentlemen.  Geishas are highly respected in Japan.  The primary role both throughout history and still today in modern Japan is to professionally entertain with singing, dancing, making conversation, and performing tea ceremonies, etc. (The "etc." part is a story left for another blog...)  They usually perform at teahouses and restaurants for parties.  Once a woman is a Geisha, she is not allowed to marry as she is to be married to her work.  Oddly enough, she can have a boyfriend and even children but not a husband.  Today the ranks of Geisha are dwindling and there are only about 300 left in Kyoto.  The typical dress of the Geisha are very elaborate and traditional kimonos.  Their thick white face makeup is to create that porcelain look in dim candlelight.  It really is a fascinating cultural lifestyle. All throughout this area, young men and women can rent kimonos for the day, and they stroll all throughout the district.  It’s like comic con!

Our day was over as we drove back to Kobe.  Dinner was ready for us when we got back on board but it wasn’t Kobe or Wagu.  The ship does a great job of serving up local dishes from where we are.  Sushi was popular tonight as it has been at several of our stops.   Had mine the other day.  I have a little trouble with the two stick things.  No wonder the typical Japanese person is as small as they are.   They can’t get enough to eat!   I’ll keep practicing because after Japan we sail into China.  I think that is why God invented spoons and forks!

Next scheduled port is Fukuoka, but first we sail through the Kanmon Straits!  See you there!

Vi and LeRoy