We were up and at ’em early today! Joe set the rice cooker last night, and by 6am, the congee was almost done. Joe added chicken, chives and seasoning, and by 7am, we were all at the table. We were out the door by 8am!
We were taking three trains to get to our destination today, and before we got on the last and longest train ride, we found a new vending machine on the platform! The girls and I each picked a snack, and Joe picked up drinks in a vending machine for him and I. Téa chose a brownie chocolate bar thingy, Maylin picked the rice crackers, baked peanuts and little fish snack that we tried at home, and I bought a popcorn snack bag that tasted of steak and caramel. Bet you haven’t tried that combination before!
When we got on the train, it was as quiet as an exam classroom! We kept our noisy wrappers packed away, and did not enjoy our treats on our way to… KYOTO! We always knew we’d be back when the heat died down, and so today was the day. We could have stayed on the train for a little bit longer, but both girls had had enough of the rocking of the train and wanted to get off.
We had a beautiful walk along the river, and already we are hit with the impression that this city is full of foreigners. Some are obviously here longer term, while others are loud and brash tourists. We are again grateful for our quiet suburban neighbourhood in Osaka.
We round a corner and find our second fun vending machine of the day:
The Gion district of Kyoto is kind of like yesterday’s housing museum, lots of older, traditional style houses, in beautiful hills close to the mountains surrounding the city. It is absolutely packed in all directions, and lots of people rent kimonos for the day. There are male and female versions, long, short, wear your own sneakers or rent the toe socks and wooden sandals to go with it. Hair and makeup is a must for the ladies, and everywhere we go, we see tourists (and maybe locals?) dressed to the absolute nines.
The crowds were absolutely unbelievable! We walked around and enjoyed the sights, and Téa wanted to play my favourite game: guess the language! Quite a few times we heard Norwegian or another language she recognized, and sometimes we were stumped.
Everywhere we turn up here is another interesting narrow road with lots of shops, restaurants, snack stalls, rickshaws (!) and CARS! (I can’t imagine being a taxi driver trying to get through these crowds) Then Maylin looks up at me and says “Mom, do YOU need to go pee maybe?”. That’s a good sign it’s time to find a restaurant for lunch!
We found a restaurant that served soba noodles and EEL! I’ve been waiting for my eel meal for so long, and I finally get it! In the most expensive spot we could have possibly picked, but when the kid has to pee, the kid has to pee…
We had to backtrack two doors because we had spotted a Ghibli shop in our haste to find a washr restaurant. The movie studio merchandise is so cute, and because we watched Kiki’s Delivery Service the other day, we had to take a picture with Gigi the cat. The cat bus in the store is so cute, and we had to google which movie it is in. Tonight’s plan is therefore movie night with My Neighbour Totoro!
With full bellies and empty bladders, we were ready to continue our explorations! The Kodaiji Temple was close by, and we purchased tickets for the temple grounds. Slightly less crowded in here, thank goodness, so we were able to feel and capture the serenity.
A little further up the hill we found more buildings and stone steps and a small cemetary. There’s also a “bamboo forest” which makes for great photos and a cool atmosphere along the path, but is very obviously planted in a narrow line next to the path just for show…
There was also a Yumi Katsura Lover’s Sanctuary, so of course the girls wanted to take a picture of mom and dad in front of the dragon head:
On our way back down the hill there are still sights to be seen in all directions. The Yasaka Shrine has a Torii gate to guard the entrance:
The shrine grounds had lots of activity today, and snack vendors in all directions. It smelled pretty good in there, some might even say heavenly! And then, I turned left, looked out through the Western Tower Gate, and reminded that big city life was just beyond…
We have had such a beautiful day, full on sunshine, highs of 20-21. We started out in two layers and jackets on top, and by now we were walking around in t-shirts, looking for shade as the sun is still too warm for what we are wearing. We end up walking on the shaded side of the street, and now we are on the hunt for a snack. We walk and walk and walk for what seemed like an eternity, and finally ducked into a matcha place. The girls have their milk soft serve, Joe and I share a matcha red bean parfait, and we drink a beautifully refreshing cold matcha.
It wasn’t until we’re back on the street and figure out that the matcha place we were wanting to visit was three doors further down from the one we ended up visiting… Oh well, there’ll have to be a next time!
By now, we’ve racked up about 15000 steps and are not in the mood to keep walking. We end up taking three trains back towards home while it is still light out. But first, admire with me if you will, the ceiling of this Kyoto station, in true Japanese traditional style:
I napped the entire 40 minute train ride this time, making it feel like magic. The doors just closed in Kyoto, and now we’re back in Osaka! We got off the long train at a station that was new to us, and when rushing towards the next platform, Téa spots a vending machine worthy of a picture:
The sun was starting to set by the time we made it home, and I quickly got the girls through a shower before dinner. After dinner we had some time to play, before we started Our Neighbour Totoro and opened a bag of popcorn.
Tomorrow is Halloween, which will be very different this year! Joe and Maylin went to bed early, Téa stayed up to make some crafts for the family for Halloween, and I stayed up to write to you, way too late, but always a pleasure.