Today was a day of rest for us, with no plans set in place. After our Scottish breakfast we set off to navigate our way across to the other side of Kyoto station. And that's no mean feat. We eventually made it, to find Kyoto Tower right there, diagonally opposite. The view from the top (100 metres from the observation floor) was extensive, although the population is only 1.5 million (compared to 2.6m in Osaka city). It was very smoggy, although you don't notice that from the ground. We spent ages, watching the Shinkansen and local trains coming and going like a model train set, finding our hotel, and picking out all the temples. After the tower we continued down that way to the Higashi Honganji temple, the head Buddhist temple in Kyoto and one of the biggest timber buildings in the world, although it was rebuilt in 1895 after the original one burnt down. No photos allowed inside and shoes had to be removed and carried in a provided plastic bag. After that we made our way back to our hotel room, detouring via Baskin Robbins for lunch (yes Peter, ice cream for lunch ;) ). When we returned to our hotel, at 2pm, we weren't allowed back to our room because it hadn't been cleaned yet. They have a policy where you have to leave your keys behind when you venture out. I admit I was a little put out. We'd been out for about 4 1/2 hrs, my leg was aching and I wanted to go to the comfort of our room. So my walking stick and I stood about a metre and a half in front of the desk as they were checking in new guests. I was not happy and I guess it may have shown on my face because after some subtle whispering one of the girls came over with 2 vouchers for us to take upstairs to their restaurant and have a free coffee/tea. It was a lovely restaurant and I felt so much more civilised. The receptionist then came up to the restaurant with our keys when our room was ready. We ventured out for dinner - all the way to the department store next door. They also have eateries in the basement. We found a restaurant that specialises in okonomiyaki, a Kyoto speciality, which was exciting. Shannon has always praised the okonomiyaki she had over here. The little restaurant was full, so we had to sit on chairs outside and wait. While we were waiting they gave us an English menu and even took our order. When we went in to our table it had a hot plate in the middle, and we watched the cook make our dinner on the big hot plate over the way, and then the waitress brought ours over and finished the toppings on our hot plate. It was the tastiest meal!! We absolutely loved it. After paying for our meal, the waitress followed us out the door, bowing and saying something. We bowed back and thanked her very much in Japanese - hope it was appropriate. After dinner we wandered around, checking out the other eateries, considering them for future dinners. Random stuff: a 16 car Shinkansen is 1,327.5 feet long, or 404.622 metres - almost half a kilometre!! The platforms are really long! And Liz, I can only put it down to trying to relate positively to boys for sooooo many years (you know, to entice them to read books) - but the temperature of the toilet seat can be high or low, whichever is your choice!! :)))) Andy Griffiths/Paul Jennings would be able to write a story about the toilets! ;))