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Traditional Japanese breakfast this morning of beef, rice and miso soup. Had to get local train to Arashiyama with a bamboo grove which is a dead ringer for crouching tiger hidden dragon bamboo grove. Wandered around a circular walk down to the river where little old Japanese man was sailing his model boat with fully functioning model man punting and woman waving.
Didn't stay in Arashiyama but got local bus back to Kyoto to do the Southern Higashiyama walking tour which starts by getting a second bus from Gion. Had a quick beer in a local noodle bar before catching bus.
Walk was busy with South Koreans visiting all the Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines. Understand now that temples have a pagoda gate as an entrance and are a place of spiritual contemplation and meditation to Buddha whereas a Shinto Shrine is represented by a torii which is two pillars joined by two horizontal bars on top one of which is curved. A Shinto Shrine is a place of worship to one of many Gods who are responsible for a great deal many things in business, nature, study and even preventing driving accidents.
Sites visited on the walk were Kiyomizu-dera Temple consisting of many pagodas and built into the hill overlooking Kyoto.
From here we walked through cobbled lanes to Ishibel-kōji which has the reputation of being the most beautiful street in Kyoto. Local woman saw us hanging about so invited us into her house, made us take our shoes off at her front door, gave us slippers and beer and then charged us £20 for the experience. It was a bar to be fair in her front room but a nice little earner.
Continued on to Maruyama-kōen park with its giant Koi Carp before walking back through the Shinto Shrine Yasaka-Jinga which is the guardian Shrine of Gion.
Caught another bus to start of Philosophers Path walk. Travel is really straight forward once you have a day pass and a map. Walked the walk along the canal and mindful that we are both not really sleeping are now flagging in the heat. Back to hotel for nap.
Back on bus to get to Asuka for dinner which is closed on Mondays and has a great reputation on Trip Advisor for its English language menu and tempura dishes. It was closed..
Back to Sanjo-dori (busy nightlife area) and after looking in the doors and windows of a number of eateries finally settled on a restaurant which served tempura and sashimi. Couple of beers later Mark and Nic are happy and full bunnies. Early start tomorrow with trip to Hiroshima so back to hotel for G&T nightcap and another jet lagged fuelled awful nights sleep….. we’ll be alright by the time we are ready to go home where we can look forward to a similar experience.
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