THE

DRAGONS

TALE

1

First published in 2011

by IJKA Dragons Press

Crowle

Worcestershire

England

Typeset by Windy Dragon

All rights reserved

© IJKA England 2011

The right of Oriental and Windy Dragon to be identified as

authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with

Section 77 of the copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

A CIP record for this book

is not available from the British Library

2

Dedicated to the Dragons Japan Tour 2011 Organiser

and

IJKA World Chief Instructor

Sadashige Kato 9th Dan

3

Contents

Introduction 4

1 Flight of the Dragons 5

2 Honshu Island (Part 1) 6

3 Honshu to Kyushu Island 7

4 Kyushu Island 8

5 Kyushu to Shikoku Island 10

6 Shikoku Island 11

7 Shikoku to Honshu Island 13

8 Honshu Island (Part 2) 14

9 Dragons Epilogue 17

Dragons Japan Tour 2011 Map 18

4

Introduction

Karateka from Whitchurch and other IJKA England dojos were given the opportunity of touring Japan

with Kato Shihan acting as guide and mentor, a trip of a lifetime for dedicated martial artists.

Members of the Whitchurch Honbu Dojo who regularly train with Kato Shihan when he is at home all

have Dragon nicknames and hence ‘The Dragons Tour’ was born. Karateka from other IJKA England

dojos chose their own Dragon names.

The Dragons:

Kato Shihan ~ Guinness Dragon ~ 9th Dan

Peter Custance ~ Welsh Dragon ~ 6th dan

Jonathan Lyons ~ Dragon Doctor ~ 5th Dan

John Fallows ~ Old Dragon ~ 5th Dan

Sharad Karia ~ Oriental Dragon ~ 4th Dan

David Sanderson ~ Little Dragon ~ 4th Dan

Alan Stanley ~ McStanley Dragon ~ 4th Dan

Mark Watts ~ Big Dragon ~ 4th Dan

Steve Cameron ~ Windy Dragon ~ 3rd Dan

5

1

Flight of the Dragons

On 21st September the Dragons flew from Manchester and Heathrow airports rendezvousing at Schipol

airport, Amsterdam for flight KL867 to Kansai Airport, Osaka (Honshu Island), Japan.

Taking in much of Southern Japan’s scenery and tourist sights along the way, the tour continued

through Kyushu and Shikoku Islands before heading back to Honshu Island for the return flight 16 days

and 2075 miles (3340Km) later.

6

2

Honshu Island (Part 1)

22nd

September

Kansai airport to Hiroshima

The Dragons arrive at Kansai airport 08:50 and proceed to the baggage carousel where Big Dragon

begins spitting fire as his luggage has not arrived. Kato Shihan assists in negotiations and arrangements

to get it delivered in a few days time to the Dragons planned accommodation in Kumamoto.

Next stop, Japanese immigration control who require the address of where the Dragons are staying

written on the immigration paperwork.

This is a little awkward as the Dragons don’t have much information about the planned tour stops

added to which the officials know as much English as the Dragons do Japanese but the confusing

situation is eased with some friendly help from other Japanese in the queue and everything is

eventually sorted out to the official’s satisfaction.

Oriental Dragon and Guinness Dragon quickly disappear to pick up the minibus whilst Windy and

Little Dragon are despatched to the bureau de change to swap Sterling for Yen.

The two Dragons caused quite a stir with the sum of money involved and after several bank staff first

count and agree on the amount to be exchanged, every English bank note is checked individually, first

with a special UV light and then by visual inspection, making sure none are fake. Just as everything

looked to be going smoothly there was a dispute over the total Sterling sum as Yen was passed to the

Dragons. Jet lag had obviously set in as the three Dragons now present initially had mental arithmetic

problems but correct maths soon followed and all was sorted. The whole transaction took forever so

long in fact that by the time the Dragons finished, the exchange rate had dropped from the figure they

had locked into at the start of proceedings.

With Yen in their pocket the minibus was loaded up with cases and Dragons, the tour begins.

Dragons drive to Hiroshima, changing drivers frequently and stop at a motorway services for a superb

lunch with associated table service that puts any UK equivalent to shame and arriving in the outskirts

of the city, book into a traditional Japanese Spa hotel around 19:00.

After a quick beer Kato Shihan gave the Dragons a quick briefing on public bath etiquette.

The hotel’s natural spring water baths were really hot and very relaxing after a long journey from the

UK.

A short drive into town followed to find dinner at a nice informal place with good Japanese food and

great service.

Dragons crash out at 23:30.

Today’s drivers: McStanley, Big and Windy Dragon

7

3

Honshu Island to Kyushu Island

September 23rd

Hiroshima to Kumamoto

After an early morning visit at 06:30 to the hot baths the Dragons had their first encounter with a true

Japanese style breakfast. Sitting on the floor at low tables, breakfast consisted of rice, fish, tofu, muscle

soup, pickles, Japanese tea and eggs (if you liked them raw).

Dragons check out of the hotel at 08:15 and travel a short distance to catch a ferry to visit a shrine

island before hitting the road again.

The island is a beautiful paradise with tame deer, souvenir shops, temples, pagoda and a red temple

gate in the sea.

Back on the road a long drive was punctuated with a short break at a motorway services but not much

lunch. By 15:15 the Dragons arrive at Kumamoto and the newly completed Kushinkai dojo of Nagao

Seita Sensei an old friend of Kato Shihan. Converted from an old garage workshop the two story

building comprised a beautiful dojo and office on the ground floor with dormitory accommodation

above. This was to be the Dragons lair for the next three nights.

Big Dragon is ecstatic as his luggage has finally arrived in Japan and has been delivered to the dojo.

The local karateka arrived and that evening at 17:30 there was training with Kato Shihan. In groups of

three we practised back hand and instep techniques followed by palm hand and foot sole, adding zuki

techniques later. The session finished after one hour with some kicking. The Dragons then watched the

local karateka prepare for their national championships on Sunday 25th

September.

After training a BBQ was laid on finishing at 21:30 with further drinking until 01:30 with some

Dragons staying up for another hour.

Today’s drivers: McStanley and Oriental Dragon

8

4

Kyushu Island

September 24th

Kumamoto

An early training session at 06:00 for an hour of basics and some kata started the day. After cooking

breakfast the Dragons were on the road to Kumamoto castle arriving at 08:30.

In the castle grounds the Dragons put on their keikogi and held a karate photo shoot before visiting the

castle buildings.

Leaving the castle the Dragons stopped for an 11:30 break at an insignificant looking Japanese coffee

house. Masoumi a friend of Kato Shihan greets us and turns out to be one of the top sword smiths in

Japan whose speciality was the restoration of old swords. Inside, Masoumi disappears into the back of

the building and returns with two long objects wrapped in protective cloth. After a quick demonstration

of blade polishing, the Dragons are then privileged to be shown and allowed to hold, two antique

katana one of which was 600 years old, with a value equal to that of a house. The Dragons also learn

that the pattern left along the katana’s blade adjacent to the cutting edge, a result of sharpening and

polishing, is unique to each sword smith and becomes their signature. A rare moment, the stuff of films

and the Dragons leave spellbound.

The next destination, Reigando cave where the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi wrote the famous Book

of Five Rings, is difficult to find without local knowledge so Masoumi joins the Dragons acting as the

tour guide. After a walk around the park laid out in Musashi’s honour, the Dragons bade farewell to

Masoumi at 13:30 and begin the assent to mount Aso.

This turns out to be a 2.5 hour long winding drive on a really hot sunny day with time for just a few

photos at the summit. A solid traffic jam leads to the crater on mount Aso so the Dragons turn back and

head for a stop at a road side chip shop for a very late lunch (Corn on the cob, burgers and chips).

Dragons arrive back at the dojo accommodation for a dinner of sashimi washed down with beer and

sake. Dragons meet Kazuo Takahashi Sensei another old friend of Kato Shihan who has come over

from Osaka to attend the championships tomorrow.

At dinner we are shown old articles and photographs of Nagao Sensei’s early karate career when he

was Japan All Styles champion. The Dragons also find out that Kato Shihan and Kazuo Takahashi

Sensei were frequently getting disqualified in their competition days for using excessive contact and

knocking people out.

Today’s drivers: Big and McStanley Dragon

September 25th

Kumamoto Up and out by 06:40 picking up Kazuo Takahashi Sensei at Kumamoto station.

Today is the Kushinkai National Junior Championships (age 5 to teenager). Dragons arrive at the sports

centre and are given VIP seats on the stage, introducing themselves to the whole audience during the

opening ceremony.

Karate standard was excellent with good timing and focus. Kushinkai katas were long compared to

Shotokan. Exemplary discipline shown by all age groups present but most impressive were the nippers.

This was reinforced by the way red belts were neatly folded and carefully placed on the floor after each

kata performance, ready for the next karateka to use.

The Welsh Dragon was asked to demonstrate IJKA karate and performed the kata Nijushiho superbly.

After a bento▼

lunch provided by their hosts, the Dragons leave for an afternoon of sight seeing

through mountain country ending up in Itsuki village, visiting an old house, which had been moved

from lower down the valley.

The return journey to the championships brought the first fuel dilemma of the tour, as there were no

petrol stations open on Sunday afternoon in the mountains. Luckily fuel and fumes lasted until the city

limits and petrol stations. The Dragons posed for photographs with local karateka as they were leaving

the sports centre, before travelling back to the Dojo accommodation having said goodbye to Takahashi

Sensei who says we’ll meet him again later?

The Dragons realise, on reflection, that the older Japanese who have been hosts at the dojo

accommodation and cooking all meals are in fact high ranking officials within the Kushinkai

organisation, a humbling thought.

9

That evening the Dragons visit public baths before preparing and eating a late dinner.

Shortly afterwards Kato Shihan says ‘training’ to wind up a few who were ready for bed and Dragon

Doctor puts on his keikogi just to make it authentic.

After convincing all Dragons that it wasn't a joke, Sensei put his keikogi on and instructed for half an

hour of light kata training. Sensei said this was a memory to take away, something all Dragons will

never forget. After a quick drink the dragons retired to bed by midnight.

▼Bento ~ A Japanese style take away lunch. Packaged on a plastic tray with lid, Bento consists of rice,

fish and various cold savouries (some of which could not be identified but tasted nice).

Today’s drivers: Oriental and McStanley Dragon

26th

September

Kumamoto to Miyazaki

The day commenced at 06:00 with a one hour training session.

Following showers, packing, breakfast and a thorough clean of the accommodation / dojo the Dragons

were ready for the road at 09:00.

The host Nagao Sensei arrived and gave the Dragons food and drink supplies for the tour along with

copies of photos taken during their stay, all of which could not be refused.

Avoiding motorways for much of the journey the drive to Miyazaki took in some fantastic mountain

scenery and the Dragons experienced their first Japanese rainfall.

On route the Dragons stopped to visit a shrine and cave in a gorge with waterfalls affording

opportunities for many photographs.

A further stop at a roadside services for refreshments turned into a diversion to spa baths located

nearby. These overlooked the rocky sea shore and provided a surprise but welcome relaxed break from

the journey.

The party checked into the Wel City hotel, Miyazaki at 19:15 after an arduous drive by Windy Dragon.

Expecting a rest Kato Shihan announced that we were training right away at a local dojo.

Mitani Sensei’s house in the city suburbs has the lower floor converted into a dojo.

Training included interesting combinations and partner work with the local karateka and ended with

Kato Shihan teaching the two kyu grades their grading kata individually and finished around 21:45.

The Dragons, Mitani Sensei and some of his senior students then retired to a Japanese Restaurant

around 22:00.

The meal comprised various courses served in buffet fashion with sushi starter followed by, salmon and

roast beef in a light sauce, thinly sliced raw chicken in a sauce, BBQ wild chicken (game bird), another

chicken dish in batter with a local specialty Miyazaki sauce and finished with thick salty potato slices

(dries). Beverages consisted of lager, sake, cola and water.

The Dragons returned to their hotel around 00:30.

Today’s drivers: Windy and Big Dragon

September 27th

Miyazaki to Kirishima

The Dragons checked out of the Wel City hotel just before 10:00 and enjoyed a Bento for breakfast at

motorway services on route to Kagoshima.

In the Kagoshima area the Dragons enjoyed an open air public foot spa outside the local tourist

information office whilst Kato Shihan went inside to book a hotel for the night.

On route to the Kirishima Castle hotel the Dragons visited a Temple before enjoying lunch in a local

restaurant.

At the Kirishima Castle hotel after a very short relax in the room the Dragons went to the hotel spa

baths which was another different and relaxing experience.

18:30 was the meeting time for dinner at 19:00. Another different experience, massive buffet (eat as

much as you like) with many dishes, some ready cooked, others prepared for cooking including, raw

and cooked meats, fish, sushi, pickles etc. Griddles and rice cookers on the tables were heated with

small nightlight candles. Desserts and coffee followed. For Dragons looking for a break from Japanese

food this meal signalled their first refuge and was enjoyed by all.

The evening was rounded off with Dragons relaxing in the hotel lobby’s comfy chairs swapping stories

and drinking beers purchased from the vending machine.

Today’s driver: McStanley Dragon

10

5

Kyushu Island to Shikoku Island

September 28th

Kirishima to Yawatahama

07:00 was the time for a morning visit to the hotel spa baths followed by breakfast dressed in kimonos.

The Dragons enjoyed a buffet breakfast, the first that resembled a full English, although some

including Kato Shihan chose the Japanese dishes.

After check out at 09:00 the Dragons drove north to Oita and visit Bozu Jigoku hot springs and mud

ponds followed by Beppu springs with crystal clear water picking up the red colour of the mud below.

At 15:30 the Dragons enjoy a quick lunch at McDonald's on route to the 17:05 ferry to Sukumo.

On arrival to Shikoku Island the Dragons drove north and stopped at the Centure hotel in the coastal

town of Yawatahama. Dinner that evening was at a local restaurant with a lovely waitress that some

Dragons wanted to take home.

The hotel was the first to have internet access via a PC in the lobby so the Dragons made full use of the

opportunity to make their first contact with home via e-mail and facebook.

Today’s drivers: Oriental and Big Dragon

11

6

Shikoku Island

September 29th

Yawatahama to Tosashimizu

07:00 breakfast time and the Dragons feasted on food purchased from the local supermarket the

previous night, as the hotel was too expensive.

After checking out of the hotel at 08:30 Kato Shihan navigates the magic bus along the coast through

some amazing scenery with occasional stops. At one point the Dragons turned off to visit what must be

the highest peak on Shikoku. This was a very narrow windy single lane road with sheer drops at the

side. Fortunately the Dragons meet no other traffic at all. The views were spectacular and on the way

down the Dragons diverted to visit a monkey park. This produced a great photo shoot with Dragons

feeding the monkeys who were very at ease with the gaijin. McStanley Dragon did a fine job of taking

us up and bringing us down the mountain safely.

Back on the main road we stop at 13:30 for more sight seeing and a walk around the coast to view

fantastic pyroclastic rock formations. The walk ends near Tosashimizu and, there is a guest house right

by the beach where the Dragons end up staying for the night. Dragons are ahead of the original tour

schedule and this is now the third night where accommodation was not booked.

The rooms and house are basic but most Dragons have a room each. Kato Shihan had a double aspect

sea view.

Relaxation time has arrived and the Dragons go for a swim in the warm sea whilst McStanley Dragon

drives Kato Shihan to town to buy late lunch / early dinner. On their return, after eating and drinking,

the Dragons have a photo session on the beach with toy katana▲

and keikogi.

Good news at this stop came in the form of wi-fi, bad news was no password even after the Dragon’s

host spent half an hour looking for it.

That evening the Dragons drive to the local pub which is in fact a small karaoke bar. The locals are

amused (perhaps disgusted) by the Dragons singing.

On return to the guest house Kato Shihan estimates a 09:00 start in the morning and the Dragons make

loose plans for beach training at 07:00.

▲ Toy katana ~ The name given by some Japanese sword smiths to katana produced with blunt blades.

Today’s drivers: McStanley and Big Dragon

September 30th

Tosashimizu to Kochi Forget all plans, the Dragons are woken by Kato Shihan at 06:15, and after cold showers and no

breakfast are on the road by 07:00 and are supposed to be heading for a tourist attraction but the chief

navigator, Guinness Dragon, falls asleep at the vital moment and the Dragons complete a circular tour

of the southern coast line of Shikoku Island.

At 09:00 the Dragons stop for breakfast at the Japanese equivalent to Little Chef called Joyful. Dragons

are back on the road 45 minutes later.

Change of drivers close to Kochi as Windy Dragon is fighting tiredness behind the wheel.

At Kochi the Dragons check into the Minatoya Hotel and meet an old school friend of Kato Shihan

who works there.

Each Dragon has their own room but unlike all previous stops, where they slept on traditional Japanese

Tatami mats, here the Dragons find proper beds………....luxury. Again the Dragons have internet access via two laptops in the hotel lobby and later the facebook

fanatics go into overdrive uploading news and photos.

That afternoon the Dragons visit Kochi Castle in their own time and Kato Shihan disappears with an

old friend Hamachan to attend to some banking and personal matters.

Lunch is taken later in a Japanese style fast food arcade washed down with beers that Kato Shihan has

purchased. The Dragons then go window shopping in the city mall.

Driving back to the hotel, Kato Shihan points out a statue of a local Samurai and proceeds to tell the

Dragons that the warrior was his Great, Great, Great Grandfather………...wow.

Back at the hotel the Dragons shower, rest and then go out for a meal at a Japanese restaurant across

the street. Surprisingly Kato Shihan’s friend Hamachan, pays the bill for all of us, a real gent.

Today’s drivers: Windy and Oriental Dragon

12

October 1st

Kochi

07:00 get up and breakfast (almost English) at 08:00. The hotel has coin operated washing machines so

all keikogi are washed prior to an expected day of shop browsing in the city. However, the Dragons

hang around the hotel too long giving Kato Shihan time to change their plans. The Dragons end up

sightseeing in the magic bus.

The Dragons visit a monument with a statue of the famous local samurai Ryoma situated on a high peak

just outside Kochi. This is followed by a long walk to another hill with a shrine. Shihan’s friend

Hamachan at the age of 80, leaves the Dragons standing and he was not even breathing heavily.

By 14:00 there is no sign of lunch, although Kato Shihan seems to have had his while Dragons were

looking around in the tourist shops.

Further travel in the magic bus leads to the Ryugado caves. Fantastic climb in through the cave with

amazing rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites’ and narrow passages that spoil Big Dragons day and

he has to turn back. Hamachan is way ahead of the Dragons again on the climb through the caves and

eventually everyone emerges into daylight at a sign stating 322 metres, which was assumed to be the

distance climbed within the cave.

By 17:00 there is still no sign of lunch and the Dragons drive back to Kochi in solid traffic for two

hours where they head straight to a city restaurant to eat. The establishment gives free lager refills and

after a lot of drinks, the Dragons go to Kato Shihan’s cousin's son's restaurant for a quick drink.

Afterwards the Dragons head to a rather classy karaoke bar owned by one of Kato Shihan’s old lovers

and everyone is surprised to see on the wall a 2007 IJKA seminar year calendar featuring pictures of

the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. After a walk back to the magic bus via a street noodle bar

the Dragons return to the hotel and some stay up drinking beer from the vending machines and get to

bed around 03:00.

Today’s drivers: Oriental and Big Dragon

October 2nd

Kochi

The Dragons that stayed up late are not full of the joys of spring this morning and one Dragon misses

breakfast and the departure of the magic bus.

The day rapidly goes from bad to worse as the Dragons realise that what should be an easy 40 mile

journey for more sightseeing at Cape Muroto will take forever because of the never ending traffic lights

of Kochi and it’s suburbs. Almost three hours each way in the minibus to see a large Buddha statue by

the coast, including an interesting lunch stop on the return leg………….enough said.

19:30 the Dragons drive into town to a restaurant for a much needed nice meal.

A speech and presentation had been planned for the last night in Kochi, as it was Kato Shihan’s

birthplace and home city so whilst waiting for the food to arrive Welsh Dragon stood up and made a

short speech on behalf of all the Dragons thanking Kato Shihan for organising a great tour and

presented him with a small gift as a token of the Dragons appreciation.

The meal was followed by a return to the hotel for early retirement for zzzzzzz.

Today’s drivers: McStanley and Windy Dragon

13

7

Shikoku Island to Honshu Island

October 3rd

Kochi to Kyoto (via Osaka)

Dragons up at 07:00 for early packing and breakfast to be on the road by 08:30.

On route the Dragons cross the impressive Naruto bridge and stop at the next motorway services for

refreshment and a few photos. Some Dragons find massage chairs and take in a little relaxation before

heading on the way again. The motorway toll for the main part of the day’s journey hits a tour record of

5200 yen (about £50) bringing sounds of disbelief from Guinness Dragon.

Travel continues through Kobe and into Osaka, what a maze of road networks.

On arrival in Osaka there is another fuel dilemma as the low warning light glows brightly. Luckily, as

Guinness Dragon has now finally worked out how to programme the box of tricks, the magic bus

satnav saves the day finding a petrol station close by, after a few false alarms, but Oriental Dragon still

takes unnecessary flak from Guinness Dragon on the issue. Exiting the petrol station the Dragons carry

on through the maze of roads to Osaka castle.

The castle is very large, painted white with gold trim and wood beams. Two moats surround the castle

and one has a solar powered water purifier in the shape of a UFO.

By the castle tourist shops the Dragons do indeed meet up with their old friend Takahashi Sensei who

lives in Osaka.

Time to leave the castle is met with a further dilemma attempting to exit the car park. Not easy for

gaijin to work ticket machines that are signed completely in Japanese.

Dilemma over and Takahashi Sensei takes over behind the wheel moving the pace up a gear or two

with some spirited driving for the final push to Kyoto.

One hour later the Dragons check into the Oaks hotel and go straight out to eat at Takahashi's son-in-

law's restaurant. The restaurant is themed as an American diner and the excellent and filling meal is

American Japanese fusion. The Dragons say farewell to Takahashi Sensei for the final time and head

back to the hotel.

At the hotel Kato Shihan disappears to a nearby 24/7 supermarket to buy sandwiches and milk for all,

tomorrow’s breakfast, as the hotel charges £50 per head.

Today’s drivers: Oriental and Big Dragon plus Takahashi Sensei

14

8

Honshu Island (Part 2)

4th

October

Kyoto

08:00 start today so that many local tourist attractions can be visited..

First stop the Ryoanji Temple featuring dry gardens, peaceful and serene.

Second stop Kinkaku-ji Golden temple. Beautiful temple, lovely gardens, loads of tourists.

Third stop Ginkaku-ji. Silver temple, but unlike the gold on the previous temple, they never got round

to putting the silver on. Another beautiful temple and gardens.

12:30 the Dragons receive decent lunch at a decent time.

After lunch the Dragons visit the Kiyomizu temple and Kyoto jishu shrine returning to the hotel by

16:00 to meet again at 18:00 evening dinner. On arrival Kato Shihan’s son Ryota appears. He is

stopping overnight in the hotel, having driven 4 hours to be with his father and the Dragons.

In the short time available before evening dinner Windy and Oriental Dragon walk for 30 minutes to

Kyoto Tower. 730 yen each changes hands to get, via two lifts, to the viewing gallery. Dragons are

rewarded with spectacular views all round Kyoto and to the mountains beyond. Toji temple looked to

be the most impressive structure from the tower.

Leaving the tower time is running short so the two Dragons get a taxi back to the hotel after some

difficult exchanges across the language barrier with the driver and have just enough time to shower and

change before meeting up with the others.

Dinner that evening is at Watamin-Chi a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, nicknamed

Vitamin C by some Dragons. All the party are back at the hotel by 20:45. Shortly afterwards Welsh,

Old, Oriental and Windy Dragons along with Ryota decide to head into the city in search of a bar. They

tried a Japanese bar but that seemed to be more of a restaurant and quiet. Some Dragons then suggest a

Geisha girl venue but Ryota tells the Dragons that would be very expensive so we go for the second

next expensive option the Kyoto Irish pub, Fields. Dragons pay 4400 Yen (over £40) for five pints of

Guinness………wow, no wonder the place is empty except for three Japanese drinking local lagers.

With empty glasses and pockets, the party head back to hotel and are in bed before midnight.

Today’s drivers: McStanley and Big Dragon

October 5th

Kyoto Dragons and Ryota depart the hotel at 08:45. Today’s destination is Nara, about a 60 km magic bus

journey.

Arriving at Nara the Dragons park the magic bus and walk around the city park with loads of deer,

shrines, temples, tourist shops. There were also crowds of Japanese school kids all wearing yellow caps

asking questions to practice their English, such as ‘What is your favourite sport’ to which the Dragons

answer Karate brought a blank and confused look to there faces? The Dragons conclude that Karate is

no longer a well known martial art in Japan.

The party visit Todai-ji Temple, which houses many large statues including the biggest bronze statue in

the world, a Buddha…... very impressive.

Outside the temple exit is a wooden Buddha wearing a red shroud. The plaque on the exhibit, written in

Japanese and English, explained that if a person with ailments rubs the same part of the Buddha’s body

and then rubs their body at the same location with the same hand the ailment will be healed.

Noting that the Buddha has very shiny knees some Dragons add to this particular patina to see if the

miracle occurs.

At 13:15 after a good few hours walking the party stop for lunch and beer.

After lunch the Dragons expect they are heading back to the hotel in Kyoto but at 14:00 they are

directed to another temple with a five storey pagoda. With an entrance fee of 1000 Yen and rain falling

all Dragons apart from Big elect to take photos from the outside.

Leaving Nara, Ryoto sets the satnav to direct us to the Kyoto hotel. The drive back to Kyoto through

the motorway maze was treacherous in the rain and took forever due to a longer route back via Osaka

even though we are following the satnav? Windy Dragon must have missed a turn somewhere and got

some strange looks from Guinness Dragon when he awoke from his slumbers in the navigator’s seat.

Eventually the Dragons arrived at the hotel at 18:00 and were out again at 19:30 for dinner. Ryota

decides to stay one more night and the party heads off to a nice restaurant and meal, Japanese but not

traditional.

Today’s drivers: McStanley, Windy, Oriental and Big Dragon

15

October 6th

Kyoto

Today is the last day before the long journey home and the party are treated to breakfast in the hotel at

09:00. Afterwards the Dragons say farewell to Ryota but not before loading his car with anything that

has lain in the magic bus for a while such as food and beer etc and is now surplus to requirements.

The previous evening Kato Shihan said that today’s itinerary would be morning sight seeing (no more

temples) followed by free time in the afternoon to explore, in our own time, the shops and area around

the hotel. The Dragons all look forward to some time to themselves.

Before departing Ryota sets the magic bus satnav and the Dragons set off.

This drive takes the Dragons towards the mountains. First stop is shopping at a Japanese department

store, where most Dragons find little of interest but Guinness Dragon returns with bags of Japanese

food.

Back on the road the driver, McStanley Dragon, asks Guinness Dragon where we are heading, the reply

‘I don’t know’ draws a breath of disbelief from the rest of the Dragons and before long they find

themselves at another mountain temple. At Mount HieiEnryakuji Temple the Dragons take a few

photographs from outside but no one goes in, which was probably a defiant mark of protest and settle

instead for a coffee break.

Later the Dragons stop at spa baths, only Kato Shihan and McStanley Dragon attempt to enter.

However, they soon exit as McStanley Dragon has tattoos, which are seen as symbols of allegiance to

the Yakuza in Japanese culture and are not allowed to be displayed in public baths.

Windy and Oriental Dragon are berated by Guinness Dragon for wandering off.

No bath so lunch instead and the Dragons head across the road entering a very local cafe for noodles

and dumplings. Noodle bowls are very large and dumplings not popular, couldn't even give them away.

After lunch the Dragons stop at a public outdoor foot spa that is close by and some dip their feet, others

go for a stroll to reflect on a day that might have been…..…..

Back in the magic bus the Dragons hope to be heading back to the hotel but Guinness Dragon decides

that it is to early to return…………

A few minutes later the magic bus arrives on the edge of Lake Biwa and yes another temple (Ukimido)

with pretty pine trees, one of them 600 years old. A few photos, mainly of the lake and scenery around,

are taken before finally heading to the hotel.

Magic bus arrives back at hotel around 16:30 where there is no mention of what time to meet for the

evening dinner. Windy and Oriental Dragon suggest 20:00 and quickly disappear towards the city to

explore the shops in the short time available, wishing they had done this all day, not just for a couple of

rushed hours.

The two Dragons return with minutes to spare as the last big meal in Japan is scheduled at 19:30.

The Japanese restaurant is very upmarket with a gas BBQ and grill set into the centre of each table.

Doctor, Oriental and Guinness Dragon share one table with the remaining Dragons filling the second.

The first table enjoy a fish and meat BBQ and the second table set about cooking slices of mouth

watering steak to their own personal tastes. BBQ vegetables accompany the meal. Over rounds of sake

and beer the Dragons thank Kato Shihan for the trip and, he replies by thanking the Dragons for being

good companions.

Today’s driver: McStanley Dragon

October 7th

Kyoto to Kansai Airport

Early calls to all rooms at 05:00 with threats from Guinness Dragon that anyone not ready for a 06:00

departure will be left behind.

Despite enjoying Japan everyone is ready for home and all are in the magic bus well before 06:00.

Big Dragon has the short straw for the final drive to the airport. Traffic at this time in the morning turns

out to be remarkably quiet compared to what the Dragons experienced earlier in the week and bags are

unloaded at airport departures at 07:30 followed by McStanley and Guinness Dragon disappearing to

return the minibus. Check-in desks open at 08:30 and three Dragons with a final destination of London

Heathrow are soon in possession of boarding passes.

Things are not so simple for the other Dragons heading for Manchester, as having given his clothes

away to his son Ryota in Kyoto, Guinness Dragon has filled his large case with Japanese food for the

return journey, forgetting in the process, to check the final weight. He is a whopping 12kg over the

23kg limit and the other Dragons, having spent the previous evening juggling luggage content between

each other to make the weight limit, are now faced with a mad scramble to slip extra content into their

neatly packed bags.

16

Miracles can happen and all bags are finally accepted, allowing the Dragons to head through security

checks to find breakfast at an airport café. Final souvenirs are purchased by some Dragons before they

all gather at the departure gate.

Strangely Guinness and McStanley Dragon are initially missing but appear shortly afterwards.

Guinness Dragon shouts that he told us to meet on the 3rd

floor for breakfast before going through

security checks but no one had heard the order and the Dragons are somewhat bemused? Anyway the

bark was in jest as he proceeded to give each Dragon a present in lieu of breakfast, a samurai warrior

kit.

All thoughts then turn to home as Dragons board flight AF291 bound for Paris, Charles de Gaulle

airport where they would catch their connecting flights.

Today’s driver: Big Dragon

17

The Dragons Epilogue

In 16 days and 2075 miles (3340Km) there was never a crossed word between any of the Dragons and

each one of them played a fundamental and significant part in making this tour the ‘trip of a lifetime’.

The desire of dedicated karateka who study the art of ‘empty hand’ for many years is to one day have

the opportunity to train in Japan in a true Japanese dojo.

This tour fulfilled that particular ambition for the Dragons. Nagao sensei’s newly completed Kushinkai

dojo in Kumamoto was truly fabulous and the stuff of dreams for English karateka, many of whom

train in clubs operating from church halls or similar venues due to financial constraints.

In contrast, Mitani sensei’s dojo in the Miyazaki suburbs whilst not on the same physical scale was

equally impressive and beautifully constructed within the lower floor of his private house.

The chance of more training sessions during the Japan tour is probably their only regret but all Dragons

owe thanks to Nagao and Mitani sensei for the opportunities and welcome they conferred.

The Dragons saw stunning monuments to ancient Japan by way of shrines, temples and castles whilst

modern Japan’s engineering skills in the shape of bridges and tunnels make such a tour possible by

road.

Thanks therefore go to the four Dragons that drove the magic bus throughout Southern Japan without

incident, with a special mention to Big Dragon, who as a non drinker, came in very useful for the late

night returns from restaurants.

Thanks also go to Oriental Dragon who wrote a detailed daily electronic blog of the tour on his android

phone, making Windy Dragon’s composition of ‘The Dragons Tale’ possible.

All the Dragons agreed that the places they had visited and, the people they had met, put the Dragons

tour way above anything any normal gaijin tourist in Japan would ever experience.

A great privilege indeed and, something to treasure for a lifetime, for which all Dragons are indebted to

and give final thanks to the Dragons Tour 2011 organiser who made it all possible, Kato Shihan.

Oss

18

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DRAGONS JAPAN TOUR 2011

DRAGONS JAPAN TOUR 2011

DRAGONS JAPAN TOUR 2011

DRAGONS JAPAN TOUR 2011