Thursday, December 12, 2013

Setouchi, Okayama

After our walking day tour to Kurashiki, we drove to Setouchi, still within Okayama Prefecture. The city faces the inland Seto sea. It took us at least 45 minutes to get to our hotel at Setouchi Kojima Hotel. It was literally cold when we alight the van at around 4PM but I was enjoying it, in my head I won't get to experience it when I'm home. We were escorted to our own rooms, glad that they have indoor heating equipment since I was shaking cold! 


Kasai-san and I share a room. It was beautifully facing the hanging Seto bridge, and at night we have a full view of night lights complementing the bridge from our hotel room. It was a great view that I hope my camera could put at least some justice to it. 




Exactly how our room looked like! 


Nope, we're still not tired. With the beautiful Kasai-san 

Kaiseki at Setouchi Kojima Hotel 


After freshening up, Kasai-san went to a public bath, while I decided to stay in the room. Our next activity is another food activity. Tonight will be traditional Japanese dinner. It was a 3-tray dinner. which they call kaiseki-a traditional multi-course dinner. The room was cozy and private. Wooden tatami (thick straw mats) flooring, low tables and we sat on the floor...very Japanese right?. The order went this way; welcoming of guests (of course that's us). We moved our tables closer across us and dine away and yes, we had a few beers too. 


Table setting. I'm already full by just seeing the set-up. 

There are 2 ways to properly sit-Japanese style. First is Seiza style which means 'proper sitting', this one is a formal and polite way to sit. It is done by kneeling first and folding the legs underneath while resting the weight on the heels. Another is Agura or sitting cross-legged which is considered informal except for those who have difficulty to do Seiza like elderly and non-Japanese. 

Kasai san doing the seiza style while mine is agurra style way of sitting


Itadaikimasu!  which means: thank you for the food, I will eat it well or some kind like that..



So so oishi desu!









Dessert, more like Yokan or thick jelly dessert. 


Thank you Japan team, the dinner was so delicious. It was a very good experience for us!

Partying the night away...


After dinner, we transferred to another room so we can drink the night away-Japanese style! I enjoyed this part, being casual, laughing and discussing anything except work! We stayed until almost midnight and we bade goodnight, tomorrow is another day of exploring this beautiful city! 


Ohayou! That's me in my kimono.


Strolling around the hotel


Had a nice rest, and woke up feeling great, ate a hefty breakfast then we went for a walk around hotel (as for me) while Mier-san was like jumping around to shake the cold.  Among other attractions include a Park (Cavern Quest, they open 10AM. Cavern Quest  turns out a horror theme park? Anyway, the place was still closed, so we had photos instead. 






Seto Chapel within the hotel vicinity


Some cute teddy bears! 




The mandatory group photo before leaving the hotel. 
Say cheese everyone! 


Overlooking Seto bridge, thank you Kasai san, you've been very kind. 




Next destination is  Kojima District



Love,

itsmelory (^.^)

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