Its the bamboo forest today. I'm going to rent a bike from the hostel and cycle, it's about an hour to get there, should be nice, I don't get as hot when I'm cycling as you get a nice breeze. ----- As luck would have it, it starts to rain not long after I've set out. Real big heavy drops of rain. I stop off at a 7/11 to get a drink and take some shelter, if I stayed out much longer I would have been drowned! I'm on another sexy bike, complete with basket, in a ...

Up at 9, don't know what I did. Though it's 1 by the time I am leaving the hostel. I'm heading to the Fushimi district, which is just a couple of metro stops away. I'm going to the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, but not until a little later, maybe as the sun is setting. So I asked the guys at the hostel where else they would recommend in the area. I get a couple of suggestions and so I'm off to one of those. I get off the train and it's raining outside, just hang b...

The plan was to set the alarm for 8.30 and aim to be out by 9. That didn't happen, made it out after 11 and I was concerned that I wasn't going to get to see all i wanted today. Quick breakfast of two finger toast and coffee. Down to the desk and buy a day ticket for the bus, ¥500 pretty good considering I'll be using at least 6 buses today, one trip costs ¥220, so I'm on to a winner. Bit of red pen on the map, stations circled and I'm ready to go. ----- So t...

Just an easy day today, legs aren't feeling too bad today, but I don't think walking around and sweating will do them any good so just take it easy. ----- I get down to some serious planning this afternoon. Need to make the most of the next few days, there I quite a lot I want to see here so possibly 3 more days worth of stuff. Was chatting to the guy at reception to see what the best way to organise my days are. He gives me some good advice to save me time. It...

Went out last night with Steve, from America, he's been travelling for a year and a half. Very interesting bloke. Many many stories that keep me entertained for the evening. We ask for a recommendation of where to eat from the guy at the desk, he suggests a sushi place and writes down the name in Japanese to make it easier. Well, as you may have seen, what he wrote and what the place was called both seemed very different to me. Took a bit of wandering, and a lot ...