Noetsu - 1
Wada-san and I left straight from Yokohama to go to Noetsu. A 4-5h trip even on the Shinkansen! I have to comment on the Shinkansen or bullet train now. Those thigns are increidble! They have reclinging seats, the seats can be turned around so you can face people and have a table in between you, the travel is sooo smooth and they have "trolley dollys" who come in and great everyone in the carriage by bowing and saying something which I believe translates as "Please make my life worthwhile by buying some food, or light snacks from me, perhaps a beverage?" The best thing was the food they sold was generally good and it was the same price as everywhere else you could buy it. Oh yeah I travelled on the medium speed bullet train - only about 150 mph. They also have LED screens which tell you where you are going, how long to the next station etc., in Japanese and English!
So Wada-san and I tried talking for a bit, but his English isn't so great and we know my Japanese is functional. But we taught each other a few things and made much use of our electronic translators. Half way through the journey we had to stop and change trains in the "Middle Japanese Alps" where there was thick snow and it was cold. Wada-san left me for a while so he could go to the designated area of the platform for smoking (which struck me as weird as it was all in the open).
Finally we made it to Noetsu and were taken by taxi to this small building which I thought was part of the main plant. No...it was an incredibly swanky restaurant. We were met by 4 wait staff and 2 guys form my firm (one of whom I knew by reputation). We had a good time and chatted easily as both of them had near perfect English. The food was Kuraseki which is a multi-course meal which apparently follows some type of "4 seasons" or colour theme. I'm afraid that was lost on me...but what I can say it was absolutely fucking incredible. Apparently thr restaurant is so famous that the Prime Minister (or was it the Emperor - I can't remember if they have a consititutional monarchy anymore) has eaten there in the last few years, several times.
Yaz-san also made sure I tried some Japanese O-sake (as opposed to scottish sake). It was incredible. Imagine the consitency of a desert wine but without the sugaryness, and smooth on the palette like water, but with a hint of some alcohol. The one I liked best was called Sett-yu-bai which is apparently made in the area.
Finally after 2h of eating I was dropped off at my hotel (which was even smaller than the previous one) and slept.
So Wada-san and I tried talking for a bit, but his English isn't so great and we know my Japanese is functional. But we taught each other a few things and made much use of our electronic translators. Half way through the journey we had to stop and change trains in the "Middle Japanese Alps" where there was thick snow and it was cold. Wada-san left me for a while so he could go to the designated area of the platform for smoking (which struck me as weird as it was all in the open).
Finally we made it to Noetsu and were taken by taxi to this small building which I thought was part of the main plant. No...it was an incredibly swanky restaurant. We were met by 4 wait staff and 2 guys form my firm (one of whom I knew by reputation). We had a good time and chatted easily as both of them had near perfect English. The food was Kuraseki which is a multi-course meal which apparently follows some type of "4 seasons" or colour theme. I'm afraid that was lost on me...but what I can say it was absolutely fucking incredible. Apparently thr restaurant is so famous that the Prime Minister (or was it the Emperor - I can't remember if they have a consititutional monarchy anymore) has eaten there in the last few years, several times.
Yaz-san also made sure I tried some Japanese O-sake (as opposed to scottish sake). It was incredible. Imagine the consitency of a desert wine but without the sugaryness, and smooth on the palette like water, but with a hint of some alcohol. The one I liked best was called Sett-yu-bai which is apparently made in the area.
Finally after 2h of eating I was dropped off at my hotel (which was even smaller than the previous one) and slept.