Himeji Day 22 10/10/2014

Yesterday we woke up after a great nights sleep on the floor on our futons!  We headed off on the local bus to Southern Higashiyama, an area of Kyoto famous for its hills, temples and shrines.  It's a real attraction and was very busy but extremely tranquil at the same time.  A lot of girls and young ladies were in kimonos which was lovely to see and we even spotted two Geisha's riding in a rickshaw.  We had a very pleasant time visiting the temples and strolling through lovely narrow streets.  On one of these we found an exquisite tea house and it was a real treat to have a cup of 'proper' tea (including earl grey for Simon) in china cups and a ham and camembert muffin.  Shoes off and lots of bowing!  Has to be said Japanese brown tea is definitely an acquired test.  If you like catarrh medicine you'll love it!  Kyoto is a city surrounded by mountains, very beautiful and not as chaotic as Tokyo with a good balance of old and new.  It was the capital of Japan until 1868 and has 17 Unesco World Heritage sites.  There was so much to do and see here but we simply didn't have time, including a day trip to Nara which was the original capital.  Anyway we headed back to our ryokan, showered (together - all very intimate in Japan although I'm not sure this includes shower fights which Simon insisted on instigating!) changed and headed back out for dinner in the same vicinity that we'd been to the night before.  Another great meal the headed back for another night on the floor!

Today we headed to the Imperial Palace where we'd booked on an official tour (you can't wandered around on your own).  Whilst it was all very organised it was really interesting and as with other sites very tranquil.  The gardens were wonderful to see and Diane has got grand ideas for converting our tiny garden back in Edinburgh when we get home!  The weather has been lovely and warm and sunny.  We went back to the ryokan to pick up our luggage.  The couple who run this are really really helpful and insisted on giving us a lift to the train station free of charged (and they'd provided a free laundry service).  The Japanese people we've met so far have been so friendly and helpful.  So unlike the stereotypes you sometimes hear.  Diane was given a gift of a traditional bag carried when wearing a kimono.  A lovely gesture.

We got the Shinkansen to Himeji (124 km in less than an hour) and found our hostel for the night.  Basic but clean and we do need to remember that we are on a budget!  It's actually in the middle of a shopping arcade as is the restaurant we've just been to for another great meal.  Off to bed soon and looking forward to touring Himeji castle tomorrow before heading further west to Hiroshima.  Still feeling like we're on holiday as we reach the end of week three. Wondering if/when the reality of what we've done will kick in soon and what it will feel like!