Japan - Day 13 - Kyoto
This morning we got up bright and early for our last day in Japan, so sad! We took the bullet train to Kyoto for the day. The train is so fast, it goes 125 mph! We made it to Kyoto in about 2 hours. We all took a nice nap on the train, while Nico got some much deserved iPad time. After arriving in Kyoto, we took another train to get to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the primary shrine dedicated to Kami Inari, a deity revered for its association with rice, fertility, agriculture, and prosperity. Kami Inari is frequently depicted with foxes as its messengers. The shrine is situated at the foot of the Inari mountain, which stands at an elevation of 233 meters above sea level. The mountain is home to numerous smaller shrines, each accessible by trails that wind their way up the mountain. These trails span a distance of about two and a half miles and take approximately 2 hours to complete. We made it up about a quarter of the way but decided to turn back because our limited time in Kyoto.
Nishiki Market
When we made it back to the base we walked a couple of blocks and found a little neighborhood restaurant and stopped in for a bite. After lunch, we hopped in a cab to the Nishiki Market, a renowned destination for acquiring many of Kyoto’s foods and goods. I was on a mission to get a Japanese chef’s knife while in Japan and had heard there was a good place in the market to go. The market was quite large with a lot of very interesting stalls. Nico found a bunch of candy he liked and got a cup of fresh strawberries twice while we were there! Eventually I found the knife shop I was looking for, and after a lot of hemming and hawing I picked one out and bought it. All my time thinking made us almost late for our next activity, a geisha walking tour.
Geisha Walking Tour
We spent two hours walking around the streets of Kyoto while our guide showed us the history and the modern ways of the geisha. Geishas are female Japanese performing artists and entertainers who undergo rigorous training in traditional Japanese performing arts styles, including dance, music, and singing. They are also skilled conversationalists and hosts. Their distinctive appearance is characterized by their long, flowing kimono, traditional hairstyles, and oshiroi makeup. It was very interesting to learn about this obscure profession. The geisha are revered in Kyoto, our guide kept telling us how rare it was to see one. But by chance Nana and I saw a maiko, or a geisha in training. It was quite the sight to see. Unfortunately we did not get a photo. Our guide told us that you begin training as a maiko at age 15 or 16 and train for 5 years before becoming a geisha.
Wagyu Dinner
After our tour we promised Nico a happy meal at McDonald’s, where he gobbled up some chicken McNuggets. Once the fast food was fully consumed we headed out to find a restaurant for the adults to enjoy a well deserved dinner. We happened across an Asian barbecue place and had to stop as Lee and I were hankering some wagyu. The meal was fantastic, we tried so many delicious things, including three different courses of wagyu! Finally we grabbed a cab to the bullet train station and went back to Tokyo. Another packed day in the books for us!
