Cranes, castle and clackity clack!

Oh you do look cheerful and up so early! Had breakfast? Well it’s 7.30 and time to go. I hope you are not tired of gardens because this morning you and a few other early birds are going to Japan’s famous Korakuen garden. It is ranked as one of the three best landscape gardens and uses the nearby Okayama or Crow castle as “borrowed scenery.The  garden  was  damaged  by  war  and  storms  but  because  of  paintings  showing  the  design  it  has  been  kept  to  its  1690’s  design.

Now first lets visit the cranes. These are one of Japan’s National symbols. They were thought to be endangered so a breeding program was set up in this garden. Each day they are fed, and then walked in the garden……we are too early to see that, sorry.

The garden has a lake, high  viewing point ,  rows of cherry  and  other  decorative  trees,  tea  plants , small  rice  fields ,  and buildings.Its  winding  paths  draw  you  around  the  garden  to  discover  new  and  exciting  views.       

Back to the hotel and grab your bags. The train is about to leave. You are travelling to an area not so visited b the normal tourist, the Kii Peninsula. This area is the wettest part of Japan. Fishing is the main industry but the people are eager to revitalise their area with tourism. We are staying in a Westernised ryokan……normal beds, but your own onsen. We were greeted at the station by the owner of an old merchant house ( now used as an artist retreat and meeting place) , the owner of the ryokan, and local people who will be our guides during our stay.

The Ryokan.