New Years trip part I: Kyoto and Osaka

Back from the trip!

Kyoto
- Mari and I took an overnight bus that left around 11:45, and we arrived in Kyoto around 6 am. Didn't really sleep at all - the bus stopped every hour and a half for a 20 minute break, and it turned the lights on full every time. Our friend in Kyoto told us not to expect her to be able to wake up until about 8 or so. We got some breakfast, went to two temples near the station, and met up with Sakiko and her boyfriend around 9.
Purifying ourselves at a temple


- Back to Saki's place, quick shower, then went out onto teramachi - a fun shopping street within walking distance of her apartment. Had amaazing tonkatsu.
- Then Sanjusangendo Temple, a Buddhist temple with over 1,000 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, 28 statues of Japanese deities, and 2 statues of traditional Buddhist temple guardians (Raijin, the thunder god, and Fujin, the wind god).. It's also the longest wooden building in Japan, apparently. It's also well known for archery contests.

We could only take photos outside, not of the status inside. Pretty little garden though.

For some reason, it had bright orange walls

- After that, we went to Gion - place of the geisha and maiko. We didn't see any, too early for them, but wandered through some pretty little alleyways and looked in the far too expensive stores with beautiful geisha supplies.

Alleyway

Goldfish bowls on the sidewalk in the alleyway



Kyoto Day II
- Paninis for brunch, then we wandered more around teramachi, browsing the shops - I bought gifts for friends; Kyoto is definitely a good place for omiyage (presents). Mostly just goofing off and having a good time.

Japan is very into parfait ice cream - which I will get more into later

Oh, Engrish. :)

- Went to a cultural thingymajig, made some glass enamel keychains and browsed through the gift store of traditional items - more omiyage!
- Highlight of the day: going to a store specializing in parfait ice creams. Very popular in Japan, this place had almost 200 different types of parfaits. Plus huuuge party-sized parfaits running between $80-180. Hoo boy.

Paaaarty~


- And finally, we head to Osaka for dinner with Mari's family. Her parents are very sweet (although her dog is INCREDIBLY YAPPY. CONSTANTLY.), and after dinner the family quizzed me with kanji flashcards I brought while her sister practiced her English with me. In the morning, we left for her grandparents' house in Shizuoka, a four hour drive away.

Part II coming tomorrow!