I checked the location of the Apple airtag around midday and found out that it was in fact in Gion, Kyoto. So I assumed, so was Mick. Now Gion is a very interesting location – more about that shortly.
A few hours later I heard from the travellers with snippets of their day, along with dozens of photos – too many perhaps, so I have had to select the best.
The bullet train took them 14 minutes to travel the 55km from Osaka, but they tell me Kyoto is so very different – world’s apart.
Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and it is still one of the largest cities in Japan. Kyoto is actually an anagram of Tokyo – the current capital. And as avid cryptic crossword doers – Bernie, Tom and Mick would have appreciated that “interesting” fact. It is famous for numerous classical Buddhist temples, gardens and imperial palaces, and is often referred to as Japan’s cultural capital. So what did the group make of it?
They loved the food options in a supermarket they visited for lunch.
Carrots were individually wrapped (the first photo) and the meat and seafood was pristine. Mint!
Mick and I always enjoy visiting local supermarkets in different countries to observe the different offerings and temptations. So from their comments and their photos, they had a wonderful time here.
Their next stop was to a traditional Japanese knife maker.
With their razor-sharp edges and unmatched elegance, Japanese knives are some of the best in the world. And in Sakai, craftsmen, or shokunin, have been making them for hundreds of years.
Google
Tom selected two knives. Mick tried out one of his options, and then the finishing touches were added, which included having his name engraved on them in Japanese.
In an earlier post I mentioned that we had hosted two Japanese students, and one of them – Ryoko – taught Tom (then aged 9 years) how to write his name in Japanese. And he still remembers. So hopefully she wasn’t playing a trick on him, because whatever she told him is now engraved on his knives.
They also enjoyed a stroll through some of Kyoto’s streets.
After visiting a temple, Mick was not specific about which one, the group took part in a wine tasting. Mick said it was the ‘most expensive’ wine he had ever tried. The wine was from the Napa Valley, and while Tom bought a bottle of wine, Mick said he bought one (not from the Napa Valley) from the supermarket for a much cheaper price.
Mick said he did 10,000 steps today after having done 15,000 the day before. He also mentioned his knees were about ready to pack it in (those are my words and not his). So I am guessing that when they came upon their next ‘stop’ he was just happy to sit down for awhile. But as another treat, this bar sold very interesting craft beer, where Mick tasted his first ever green tea IPA.
At 9%, it had a punch!!
Looking at the photos of this bar, it is a wonder they ever got to leave.
But before leaving they needed to use the ‘amenities’. This particular translation, provided to help out the English speaking tourists, left them all giggling. Or was it the 9% beers they had consumed??
Now to the interesting fact about Gion.
It is Kyoto’s geisha district, with hostesses in colourful kimonos often sighted on the wooden Tatsumi Bridge, or amid upscale Japanese restaurants and boutiques on Hanamikoji Street. Gion Corner hosts traditional Kyomai dances, while Kennin-ji Temple is known for its Zen garden and Yasaka Shrine has seasonal festivals in a lantern-lit courtyard. Nightlife ranges from quiet sake bars to buzzing, pub-like izakayas.
Google
Am I worried about this? Should I be worried about this?
Based on last night’s activities, and the previous few nights. Perhaps I should be.
Last nights’ dining experience in Osaka was at a sashimi and sizzling pork restaurant, where apparently they drank the restaurant out of a cask of red wine.
The more I see of these photos and the more I read of their travels, the more I think I will need to take Mick somewhere very quite for a big rest when he gets home.
They will spend two nights in Kyoto – so I’ll keep you posted about their next adventures, including what they got up to last night.
Jane and Mick's Holiday Adventures 
I have read about Kyoto and loved seeing these photos!