Ise

  Ise, Kinki, Japan
Sunday, December 14, 2008

On the weekend of the 6th and 7th of December we joined the Kizuna trip to Ise (again attentive readers a place I had already visited but instead of lounging around shamelessly I actually did some sightseeing this time). Kizuna is a student organization which focuses on interaction between Japanese students and the foreign students. They also organize a gathering with some drinks and cookies on every Thursday. Afraid that it would all just be 'let's learn English by talking to foreigners' I refrained from being to active on the Thursday soirees. However, on the trip I soon got to know the Japanese students better and realized that they really are very nice.

We once again boarded a bus (which I almost missed due to late night essay working however my dorm mates were attentive enough to notice my absence and to drag me out of my comfy bed for which I was very grateful). With beautiful scenery and Japanese bus games to keep us entertained it didn't take long for us to arrive at our first destination, an Ise subtemple. Though not quite as impressive as some of the other temples we had seen we were still happy to play the picture taking tourist and oooh and aaaah at appropriate times. 
The next stop was the real deal. Ise shrine is arguably Japan's most important shinto shrine and a popular place for both gods and Japanese tourists to visit. Despite the crowds we found our little corner of serenity and managed to say a prayer or two. Afterwards we strolled down the little street next to the shrine filled with Japanese delicacies. These delicacies included beer ice cream, soya ice cream (not half bad) and all kinds of dried/fried/boiled/backed/grated/sliced fish. Apparently it is expected in Japanese culture that when you take a trip you bring back 'o-miyagi' , a souvenir from the place visited for family, friends, co-workers etc. Usually this is something edible for which the region is renowned (and yes e-ve-ry region has its own special culinary delight). Ise's pride was mochi (smashed rice pudding) with anko (sweet red beans) paste around it...yum.
Continuing in Shinto spirit we set out for Meoto-iwa, the 'wedded rocks'.
Afterwards we headed to the Japanese ryokan where we would be staying for the evening.
I had already received the names of my roommates on a piece of paper but since after  5 weeks of 'studying' Japanified Chinese characters (kanji) I still can't read names (unless they happen to be mountain fire ricefield) I just had to assume that I should be looking for Japanese girls. In the end it turned out to be a very nice experience as this was the first time I stayed in a Japanese inn with actual Japanese. We risked the 30 min walk to get to a nearby hotel's onsen (hot Japanese bath). Again this was the first time to go with Japanese and to try, the there present, horse oil or charcoal shampoo.  We also managed to show off our Japanese skills (or lack thereof) to the other bathing guests. 

Another great advantage to having Japanese roommates is that they were actually willing (even suggested it) to get up at five in the morning to see sunrise above meoto-iwa. We were not the only ones. Many others had woken up at the crack of dawn to place their tripods and the brave the cold. After sunrise we quickly hurried back to bed to catch a few more hours of sleep before heading off to Toba.

 

 In my earlier entries I described Toba as grey, rainy sort of place however this time around there was only sunshine and we gladly took the opportunity to take a boat tour along the major sites. We also enjoyed a fresh seafood lunch (and when I say fresh I mean it was still alive when it was cooked in front of us.....)before heading back to Kyoto. We made one more stop along the way to enjoy the view and the there present foot onsen. To our great surprise it was clear enough to see Mt Fuji in the distant horizon which served as the perfect ending to our lovely trip.