Breakfast this morning consisted of leftovers from tea last night, so we will show you how enjoyable that was again.
Fish, raw egg, rice and things. Give me coco pops
posted by the biker daddy.
We stayed in a Ryokan here.
We arrived to the Ryoken relaxed (well a nice chilled asahi does help). The Ryoken staff were racing around after us like nutters, dinner at 7pm, time to all use the one toilet and one shower, short straw, I went for a walk, Mrs Fogg went to the public bath house on floor 7 and Nellie grabbed a shower first.
All togged up in our Japanese house coats (well Neillie’s could wrap around her twice) we went to our personal dining experience with in excess of 10 dishes each, all looking different in their own way. Nellie filled up on rice, I ate everything apart from the item that resembled regurgitated chewing gum and Mrs Fogg sniffed everything before trying it.
Not a bad experience, complete with Saki, beer and coke.
Now beds all laid out, the interesting experience of everyone suffering Johnny Honk Pants all in the same room (no sprouts, but the fugg will come).
posted by the biker daddy.
Bye bye Kyoto and onward to Hiroshima on the Hikari bullet trains. These are slightly slower than the Nozomi but we can use these with the JR Pass we bought in the UK.
We took a brief 15 min train out of Kyoto to Osaka then changed to the current train for approx 1hr 26 (Japan doesn’t do approximate times!)
Posted by YourTourGuideChick
Sat on the train we are watching the skies darken as the weather gets stormy. It has been so hot and humid in the last two days that you might as well have just stepped into another hot shower once you go outside. A good thunderstorm may help lighten the temperature a bit.
Still, we are looking forward to Hiroshima and a restful night in a Ryoken. Ryokans spoil you – they make your bed up, bring food and drink and almost put you to bed and tuck you in.
Tomorrow we will meet up with our volunteer guide Masato-San who will wander with us as we explore Hiroshima a little.
Unfortunately we are slightly later than planned to Hiroshima due to busy trains, so this evening is a pleasant chance to stop, chill and rest with perhaps a stroll to see the paper cranes in the park.
The Dome
posted by the biker daddy.
A wonderful few days in Kyoto, we’ve seen so much and now it’s time to get the Shinkansen to Osaka and then Hiroshina for our next stay at a ryokan (late arrival today due to availability of seats)
A goodbye to Yasu and Burrito
And a final word from the local Thai menu, unfortunately we decided not to have this selection
And I want this mirror, how true is it!
Sayonara Kyoto
posted by the biker daddy.
Today we did a non stop tour of Kyoto. Starting with Kyamizu dera temple, wandering down through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka which are narrow cobbled streets full of shops and restaurants.
It was a bit cooler today so easier to amble. We saw the largest concrete statue in Japan which weighs 500 tonnes and stands 24 metres high.
Then it was off via the train to Fushimi Inari to see the shrine there. With so many red tori posts it’s lovely to look at.
All told a great time in Kyoto as this is our last full day here. We have seen a zen garden, several large shrines, hundreds of smaller shrines, eaten wonderful cream cakes, experienced fantastic food, endured some rubbish food, caught trains, swapped buses, eaten more food, sweated buckets and even climbed the Kyoto Sky Tower.
A final morning left in Kyoto so we will flip a coin and do a random visit to something before catching the train tomorrow to Hiroshima and another new experience for Nellie staying in a Ryoken.
This was our room at Oil Street Guest House. A fantastic location to stay in a 90 year old house.
Posted by YourTourGuideChick
An early(ish) rise this am saw us catch a number of buses to Kiyomizo temple, which is awesome
With the fountain of eternal youth (which Mrs Fogg and I sampled 8 years ago, can you get a refund?)
Lots of steps
Before heading off for, yup more noodles
And then Fushimi Inari-taisha
Then back for, more food
And finally the Kyoto Tower before Mrs Fogg took us on a mystery bus journey back
Last of all will be, yup even more food before bed and then tomorrow is the journey down to Hiroshima, where we get to meet Mrs Foggs Tour guide fwend.
posted by the biker daddy.
Here is Kyoto train station, with its spectacular roof.
And a couple of chavettes I met on the street
Last day in Kyoto before we move on, so a trip to Kiyomizu temple and Fushimi Inari-taisha
posted by the biker daddy.
Today is easily the hottest day at……
So a 45 minute train ride to Nara to see the rampant killer deer, that bow as you bow and also nip your bum if you don’t feed them fast enough.
posted by the biker daddy.
Reading the Oil Street visitor book, it advised that the deer of Nara were more violent that the monkeys at the monkey park, stealing handbags and knocking over children.
Might be an interesting experience, 4 legs good, 2 legs bad…..
posted by the biker daddy.