So we continued our Japanese adventure by heading on the Shinkansen (or Bullet train as we like to call them) to Kyoto. They look so cool, streamlined and exceptionally comfortable even with the huge bags we were carrying. Kyoto is 400 miles south from Tokyo and we did it in 2.5 hours - now that is fast! Driving it's estimated to take 8 hours approx. You don't really feel the speed, that is until you are trying to take a picture of Mt Fuji and nothing comes out but blur... Needless to say we enjoyed our little trip and took advantage of the in car dining - well a coke and a packet of some Japanese sweets...
We arrived in Kyoto and as per Betts-Tidey style had little clue where our hostel was - yes we are so broke now that we are staying in 10 bed dorms in hostels (no more Bora Bora Flashpacking). We must look really funny with our huge backpacks on, argueing which way to go while all the Japanese flitter passed us... heehee. Anyhow we found it in the end and its lovely, the people are very friendly, its super cheap at 3000 yen per night for the 2 of us (nearly 23 pounds), Australia was costing twice that much or even more than that!
Kyoto supasses Tokyo in culture and opens ones eye to the Japan of the old days (obviously mixed in with a few thousand modern shops). We are right next to the river between Downtown and the area of Gion. Gion is beautiful, a real cultural experience if you can get away from the crowds (which we did). Gion is full of windey little streets with sealed off tea houses and restaurants - it literally looks like something out of the 16th century. Gion is infamous for Geisha Spotting - since the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" came out - seeing a Geisha is rated as a one in a life time Japanese experience. Its also documented as very rare as they are very private people and do not like the myths surrounding them. According to what we have been told Geisha's are merely traditional entertainers that are paid for ceremonies at Japanese tea houses - being a foreigners we are not allowed into these ceremonies, as they are strictly for the wealthy and patrons of the house. We were also told that the stories of them being prostitutes is merely myth and although it may have happened back in the day, its doesn't any longer.
Needless to say we were both not expecting to see one (just hoping), as its a rare Japanese experience, so we were walking down the alleyways keeping away from the crowds and out of nowhere a Geisha appeared fully dressed in her ceremonial kimodo - we were both completely stunned. She looked magnificent, a fully white painted face and neck, shuffling along in her flat shoes at the speed of light as not to be seen. What a treat! We were concious to not interfere with her (as they are tremendously private) and took a few photos (from distance) as she was walking away This was then surpassed that evening when we saw another 3 walking the curbs to their appointments - some even being chased for photos. We found this awlful esp. when a Japanese tourist literally went right up to one of the ladies and started taking flash photos in her face!
What an experience - we were so lucky. Anyhow that was all in one day - we head to the rest of Kyoto tomorrow - so who knows what we will find! (again sorry about the spelling but we do not have a spell checker and we write these blogs pretty quickly)