Day 4

So after a fleeting visit to Tokyo it was time to pack up the bag and make the trip south to Kyoto where we hoped to experience the traditional (how it was) Japan.To get there however, we needed to experience the bullet train.We turned up at the station, with a ticket each to travel on the Nozumi train and quickly settled into our seats ready to be blasted to Kyoto.To be fair, it goes extremely fast and the whole journey is very well organised. It is amazing how they can run a bullet train to Kyoto every 10 minutes throughout the day and they are still on time by the minute. We got some good pictures and we are glad we spent the extra money to take it.

So we turned up in Kyoto thinking we'd get this traditional Japan when actually we got another city and plenty of concrete so we quickly went to the hostel (K's house again - so recommended) and dropped our stuff off.As we had the afternoon and evening we headed out just to get our bearings and have a quick look around.We ended up going to visit the nearby temple which was huge and was one of the biggest structures made purely of wood.We didn't need a second asking when we found a cheap and chearful restaurant which served both tofu and meat and were not disappointed.We then continued upon our stroll to what was advertised as the locals' food market and found the mass area of stalls selling pickled vegetables, rice sweets, sake etc etc. We passed this cake shop and bought a couple of cream buns. They were awesome.We did some more window shopping (Marie is kind of getting into it, though she still passes things and come out with "those were the days) before heading back to plan our next day.

Day 5

Today was about seeing Kyoto in all it's glory, so we got the boots on and with maproute in hand, we headed out to pound some more kilometres.We started by walking to the most northern part of our tour and entered the textiles centre to learn about the Kimono making and the hand making process that went into it.We had quite a giggle with this old man (a worker) before heading back to the front to watch the Kimono fashion display that was just starting.I think that Marie decided that this was like America's next top model and she was the photographer - she took about 300 over the next 15 minutes with the notion that she would delete the bad ones later!

We then headed over towards this other area, but whilst crossing this bridge we noticed a bird of prey.Not knowing exactly what kind of bird it was we took some pictures of it. All of a sudden there where more than just one, probably about twenty of them circling above.Turned out that someone had put food in the river, knowing that they were around and this would attract them.Martin got out the camera and took another 300 pictures on the speed setting.Then spent ages deleting all but about 5!!

A pleasant stroll along the river got us to Higashima area, where we were hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the legendary geisha's.Dusk to early evening was the advertised potential viewing time, so we managed again to find a place to accommodate both veggie and non and got some quick noodlesrice in.Then it was time to prowl the streets.We headed down the main street and quickly found that this was really the traditional Japanese area.The streets were all very narrow, the houses all of traditional design and the area was just - like you imagine Japan to be.We popped our head round a quieter street when we heard some squeeling (of delight) to see a young girl having her picture taken extremely quickly with a geisha some way down the street.Deciding it is better not to chase after her like some weirdo we made the decision that these people know more than us and followed them down this other alley as they moved on.Having they led us to nothing so we decided to back track down another road.Suddenly out of nowhere, a little geisha come quietly along, head down, hands together, looking like she had a place to be at and there was no time to waste.They look so beautiful.We pondered with the idea of taking a picture but when all said and done, they aren't a tourist attraction so we decided against it.However whilst debating this, along came another one and then another.In all we stayed in one stop and about 4 came walking by, all with the same pose and the same need to just get to wherever they were going.It was well worth the trip.

Very pleased with ourselves, we headed back to the hostel via the cake shop and the local supermarket where we picked up a £5 bottle of wine (well it was a Saturday night!!!).

Day 6

Today started as a restful day.We stayed in and did some reading and generally relaxed as we planned to go out and stay out for a while.To be honest, we've had our fill of temples and shrines already, knowing that there are plenty more to come as well if we want, so there were only a handful of other things to see and do.When we took out the ones that cost money to see as well (Japan has broken us !!) we decided instead just to get out there and take in more of this place and not spend our time in one place.We walked for ages but it was just great to be taking in this city.Then the idea of food came up and as we've had no trouble so far, it was a little frustrating that after some time we still hadn't found a place to accommodate both.Then we were looking at this one place and a man walking past just stopped and started to tell us that what this place served was traditional for this area and was really good.It turned out to be like a layer of egg on the top and bottom and then filled in the middle.Though, they had no veggie option, in we went, brandishing our "I don't eat meat or fish but will eat dairy and eggs" note in Japanese and managed to get what we wanted across.We sat at a table with a griddle between us and the mad put it on.We looked around and some people seemed to be given the raw materials and were happily cooking away.Others and it turned out us, had the chef make it and we just used the plate to keep the food warm.What a find this place was.We both came out happy, having tried this dish and it didn't break the bank.Might even look to make this at home! Wherever home may be!!!

Day 7

Pretty boring day.We took the train back to Tokyo but to save some money, we had read up and managed to buy a ticket for the kodama train.It turned out to be what people would think of as a bullet train but it stopped a number of times more and took one hour 30 minutes longer but cost considerably less and we even got a free drink.We also picked up some train sushi to keep us going and sat eating, reading and drinking back to Tokyo.Then it was another one and half hours up to the airport on the slow, cheap train where we now sit waiting for the flight to Hong Kong.

Overall, Japan was lovely and we would highly recommend a visit, though it is worth moving around because there isn't loads to see in each place (unless you want to see lots of temples), if this is what you want.However, just being in Japan is great - the people are friendly, kind and helpful.The food is great and you can pick up both cheap and expensive food (they have the most Michelin stars but we didn't have chance to try any of this !!!).The only downside is that it is expensive but still very pleased we included Japan in our trip.Oh and they have heated toilet seats which Marie liked!