Our last few days in Japan have been a whistlestop tour of the last few places we wanted to go - we're definitely getting the most out of our rail passes!

Back in Kyoto we did the rounds of a few more temples and castles and palaces . . . and came to the conclusion that we definitely are templed-out! Graham was very disappointed by the castle in Kyoto - no arrow holes to shoot people out of, no slots to drop boiling water on people and no drawbridge - what kind of a castle do you call that?! So we went to Himeji-jo on a daytrip from Kyoto where we visited a "proper" castle that did indeed have all the right things!

From Kyoto we went south to Nara. A town stuffed full of world heritage sites - yes more temples! And deer (We snatched a baby for you Heather, it's on it's way!)! Nara was a nice peaceful little town - very autumny with lots of parkland and yet more of those red trees! We also came across a little shop where two men were bashing the hell out of some dough . . . very fast (see photo) - we didn't try any of the little dumplings. They were green. It wasn't quite right!

From Nara we went to Koya-san. A (small) mountain village that basically comprises of over a hundred temples. We stayed in Shojoshi-in, one of the temples. We had a lovely room overlooking their Japanese garden - though it was flipping cold up there and Gemma immediately put on all available jumpers, hats and gloves! We went for a long walk in Okunoin the Buddhist graveyard next to our temple. It went on for kilometres and kilometres through the woods. It was a lovely graveyard (can you say that about a graveyard?!), nestled amongst the trees with the sun coming through occasionally. It was suggested that it was nice to take a walk through it after dark. We thought not!

After our walk the monks came and collected us for our dinner. Being Buddhist monks they eat no meat, no fish, no onions and no garlic (Not entirely sure why not onions and garlic?!). It was yummy! No seriously - it really was! The next morning we got up early - 6am (haven't seen that time in a few weeks!) - to go to the morning ceremony where they prayed for our departed relatives, friends and ancestors. The temple was very picturesque, with the rising sun coming into the ceremony hall and it was really good to be involved . . . even if it was freezing cold and a touch on the early side! Gemma got prime spot by the only heater!

So after a mammoth journey yesterday consisting of a bus, a cable car, 4 different trains and a subway train we arrived back in Tokyo. We were planning on going skiing before we leave Japan but the damn snow melted! As there's none forecast in the next few days we've decided to move on and tomorrow we fly to Hong Kong. We're sad to leave Japan with it's gorgeous, gorgeous people, efficient transport system and yum food! But we're excited about the next stage of our adventure and some warmer climes . . . we're getting ever closer to those beaches!