Jane's and Mitch's Japan 2007 Trip


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After leaving Narita City on May 16 our first stop was a three night's stay at Naruko Onsen, some three hours north of Tokyo by train. Our ryokan had two public indoor onsens (one for men, one for women) and one private outdoor onsen (which you reserved in half hour increments, so both of us could use it together); our room also contained a hinoki (cypress wood) o-furo, so we weren't short of options for a good soak.

During our stay at Naruko Onsen, we saw the Kokeshi Doll Museum on May 17 (when it was raining all day), and Sendai, Matsushima & Matsushima Bay on May 18 (when we had great sunny weather all day). In addition, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on May 16 (which also happened to be the only day in which Jane had Japanese food that she did not care for -- salmon stomach).

Naruko Onsen    Next

Here is the front lobby for Ryokan Bentenkaku in Naruko Onsen. Notice that shoes go no further than the floor of the main entrance; that is, under no circumstances do you step up from the main entrance floor onto the floor of the lobby (where the blue and brown slippers are located) while you have your shoes on.