Sunday 15th
20c (ish) spitting rain and sunshine.
On the bullet train, aka Shinkansen - top speed 270kph. From Tokyo to Kyoto it is 363km (226miles) and the time it took to travel was 2 hours 40 mins.
Over the journey we hoped to see Mount Fuji, alas due to the heavy, low, dark rain clouds we saw very little, let alone the mountain. Once in Kyoto station we found the information office got some maps and directions to our hostel. Had to get the bus (¥20) and then a short walk to Khaosan Kyoto Hostel. (We got help from a follow European with directions). Found a ¥100 shop - equivalant to poundland - four doors down from our new 'home'. It was somewhere to get food and small bits to keep us going. Ambling through the area, through a big shopping centre and into what looked like an arcade - it was filled with balll bearing machines that you load from the bottom(!?!). Lots of old peolpe were gambling on them, eating sandwiches, drinking tea and smoking. Very odd, but funny. You had to be there. Back to the hostel to find somewhere to eat, found a groovy curry place. Best curry ever! Two currys (Chicken Curry of the week & Chef's Whim) with Turmeric rice, cheese or grilled chicken on the side (Frank had cheese, I had the chicken) all on one plate for ¥700. And wine too, for extra ¥. First wines in Japan - red and white -very nice!

Monday 14th
23-24c blue skies, light cloud.
Next day we ate our own bought Japanese cereal (think chocolate sugar puffs) and fruit (tinned - fresh is very expensive). Tea and coffee were provided by the hostel for free - get in! Took the train to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine, ¥230. From the station, crossing the tracks, it was a short walk through a traditional Japanese looking street filled with food stalls. At the first temple monks performed a ceremony singing, drumming and playing a flute. There were lots of people making offerings and prayers. Then off up through the 1000 Torii, we diverted off the path to walk up Mount Inari, through a young bamboo forest, lots of smaller shrines -  all of which were adorned with carvings of foxes. One shrine was private, the locals there were having their own ceremony. Continuing our hike ever upwards through jungle like forest and steep uneven steps - passing a vending machine! - we got to the top and then on again to a view point. I got a little emotional looking down at the city of Kyoto, I couldn't believe where we were up until that moment and the veiw took my breath away. A few minutes later we walked up through another shrine and found a smaller pathway behind it, which opened up to a broader, more spectacular view of the huge city. Truly spectacular.
Back to hostel, got a chill, some food and tea. Naturally. Met a woman from Malaysia, called Fazil. Back out to explore the Gion district. Where the Giesha's are found. Lots of back streets, up hill climbs, stumbling upon temples, people dressed in traditional Japanese garb but no real giesha's - must be shy. With all the up hill climbs we eventually stopped at Kiyomizu-dera temple, the big one in Kyoto - but it had closed. Nevermind. More food shopping, packed bags and back to the same curry house for dinner - well it was very very good food. Three currys on one plate this time - as above with Caos keema curry. Sweet.
On the way back, I managed to buy an eyebrow pencil sharpener, despite the lamguage barrier. Getting cocky now. We chilled in Khaosan with some beers. Off to Hiroshima tomorrow.