kyoto

And once again I am posting very late...had far too much fun to sit and write anything out!

We got into Kyoto from Kurashiki and quickly dropped off our bags in the ryokan before heading out to Gion district, which once was, and still is, a geisha district. If you have ever read or watched Memoirs of a Geisha, that is the area that the story is based on. And the streets and alleys are just as breathtaking as they are depicted. We were even fortunate enough to see two geisha coming back from classes in their day wear! We wound our way through this area before going to a temple and garden to take pictures and wander a bit. Then we headed back into the shopping area for conveyor belt sushi!! It was such a novelty to be able to do that, and we all ate our fill of fish, fugu, and horse meat. Which yes, was on the sushi belt.

That night we hung out at a small local bar with some friends that Tim had made on his day trip with his parents before we went back to the ryokan and rested up for the next day.

Next day was the final test for the two tour guides in training so we picked one to go with for their tour of Kyoto. I went with the tour to the Inari Shrine which is famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates. It was breathtaking, and so perfectly situated in nature. We also went to the temple that houses 1001 golden statues of Buddha, which was an intense spiritual experience. I'm not Buddhist, but even so I could understand and feel the power that the temple instilled. We then had a stop for curry before going on a hunting adventure for a little yarn shop for me! And I found my yarn so now I can make a project to remember the trip by!!

That evening we had a last dinner for the Stucka family who were leaving us early and went out for another night of karaoke to celebrate. Our time in Kyoto was brief, but filled with culture and gorgeous surroundings. Wish we could have stayed for weeks more!!