Day 8 - Kyoto

A much better night's sleep in a bed!

Short walk to the subway for the journey to Keage station in the east of the city. Coffee and toast in a tiny cafe (warm welcome as usual), before starting walking tour no.1 from the guide book. Very good it was too, taking us to the main temples and shrines in the north east of the city, aswell as some of the smaller more overlooked ones. The first bit of the walk led us into woods and up a stone pathway to this grotto pictured, with a shocking red bridge leading over a small stream. I think the picture just about captures how magical it looked, and with barely another soul in sight it was all very quiet and peaceful.

Back onto the walking tour and more temples and shrines... and then more temples and shrines. Onto the "Path of Philosophy" which skirted a stream, provoking questions from us such as "are we in Japan?" and "did the beer we drink last night really exist?". Lunch in another cafe overlooking the stream. At the end of the path was one of the main temples in Kyoto - this meant every tourist in Kyoto was there. Shame, as it was a lovely place, and selfishly we didn't want to share it with others!

Bus from there to the main shopping area where we stocked up on more gifts and souvenirs (Christmas shopping is almost done....), stopping for the usual coffee and cake break. Then another walk back to the hotel - took about 30 mins but the sun was setting and our legs were just about up for it. Reckon we walked about 5-6 miles today, and got under the skin of Kyoto. Definitely a city you have to work at - first glance it's nothing to write home about, but with a bit of searching you find little gems like the one above.

More of the same tomorrow, but this time we have bus passes, so they'll be taking the strain...


EDIT:

Dinner tonight in a tiny local noodle / tempura restaurant a short walk from the hotel - the only restaurant around, and only 4-5 tables. Much amusement as we entered as it was obvious 'gaigin' (foreigners) were not regulars, but with the help of a young Japanese couple next to us we managed to order two bowls of noodles, some tempura that was sublime, and two large bottles of beer. The two person team of mum-front-of-house and son-in-the-kitchen kept us entertained, and the food was divine. Son-in-the-kitchen was making the noodles fresh from large balls of dough - you don't get that at Wagamama... Mrs DP rustled up "that was a real feast" from the language section of the guide-book which went down a treat, with the owner waving us off down the street as we were the last to leave.

Total cost? Change from £20. How fantastic?