A morning to linger in our refuge from last night’s downpour. Waiting for things to dry out a bit, both our clothes and the outside world, it seems we had time to make French toast.
Nice change from camp museli and yoghurt.
It sounded like Ise was quite a historic town with enough to keep us busy on a rainy day – so we booked a hostel in the centre, so that we could walk, rather than lug loaded bikes, around in the rain. Eventually we got outside and took an indirect route to the hostel – first heading for the coast and one of the most sacred sites of Shintu.
But I spied a big woodworking workshop on the way, so got a bit distracted.
Covers showing the signs of the continuing rain.
There seemed to be some large formal event going on here,
but mostly I liked the trees.
We found the sacred wedded rocks,
joined by a hand-woven ten centimetre rope.
Frogs seemed to be a common theme among many of the numerous shrines.
Giant clam shells!
Along the sea wall we turned and rode for city centre, eventually having to negotiate some large tsunami-blocking gates to get off it and head through the suburbs a damp and measly six kilometres to the hostel in the historic part of the the city, another Kawasaki.
Starting in the sixteenth century, due to its useful location on both land and sea routes, the area became an important trading location – having the sacred shrine of Ise Jungu in town also helped. Becoming “Ise’s kitchen”, rice, sugar, salt, liquor were the main foodstuffs traded. Pleasingly, a lot of the old trading warehouses and premises along the Setagawa river still stand, an enjoyable outing – especially looking at the various embellishments on the tile roofs.
Our hostel as a starter for ten.
Ise is also famous for its udon dishes; once again we found a restaurant (somewhat stuck in the Showa era, as often) run by an elderly couple and were not disappointed.
Our wanderings in the drizzle continued.
Not so old, but rusted out corrugated steel…
Again.
Away from the Kawasaki area of town, things looked a little drab.
We made our way to the Ise Jungu area. No cameras, or even walking through, allowed at the main buildings – so a more hushed and serene – a nice change.
At the museum, in the same general area, we happened across a large crowd watching an enthusiastic drumming routine – somewhat invigorating on a fairly low energy day.
Unsure if this is a stage and if so, how performers get to it with dry feet.
After some time chilling at the hostel, we headed out for dinner. Rachel, being far more versed in Japanese dishes from her multiple previous visits, wanted a good okonomiyaki meal. Having little idea what that was, I was happy to go along and find out. We ended up in a small otherwise deserted restaurant in a small otherwise deserted alley.
There were some good signs though.
Return of the tall, faded pink, coin phone.
A slightly modernised version of the typical menu display.
Turns out okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake dish cooked on the hot plate set in the table – very tasty and you get a little cooking show too.
Nice way to end a quiet day of sightseeing and little riding.
First standard trains, well after the morning rush.
Watching point-and-call in action, as well as the rails.
Three stations between the termini give somewhere for trains to pass.
Flashbacks to 
Goodbye and thanks to Thomas, Keiko and Leila for the stay in their home, and the many outings.
I was unreasonably pleased to get a tea bag coaster.
Quiet in the suburbs mid Sunday morning.
Into Shinjuku Park after the busyness outside.
Restorative ramen and broth for lunch, watched it made in front of us.
Into Akihabara – famous for electronics and manga.
Streets closed to traffic on a Sunday, very pleasant.
Huge lotus pond in Ueno Park, nice to walk beside.
Seems I still had a thing for finding old pillar boxes.
Trying to sneak down the back of a long alley of stalls.
Bemused by these guys hanging around on roofs. Not quite the strange women lying in ponds handing out swords that we’d not seen earlier.
Loved this patterning and the texture.
Just as well it was Sunday, I was hardly dressed appropriately.
Going to the black ring of the observation deck, on an elevator thankfully.
With the sky dark, an animated Halloween (still a month away) film played all around the deck’s windows. Dancing pumpkins anyone? More impressive, and entertaining, than expected.
Not fitting in, in many ways (Rachel’s photo).
Surprised to hear, and then see, a convoy of go-karts. All a bit Mario Bros, unsure how they are legal or if we’d slipped into another world.
Many rusted cruisers with surfboard carriers mounted on the side.
Back to tsunami escape platforms, although this one is pretty short so maybe it’s something else?
Sand bathing anyone? Buried up to one’s neck and left to sit there soaking in the warmth? I did not understand the appeal. Admittedly it made more sense than surfing in those conditions.
Another board carrier, trailer might be picking litter (unlikely in Japan) or grooming the sand (more likely), big corporate function and over to Enoshima Island – we were walking towards it.
Another wedding in progress, popular spot – could see a little of what was going on.
Impressive structure and colours.
Also a popular spot to post prayers.
Or fold them up.
(Rachel’s photo.)
Fortunately, in my impaired state, I didn’t have to come to grips with the Tokyo transportation network – just try to keep up. Apparently it’s very logical and well laid out, but I barely gave it a thought.
(Rachel’s photo.)