Kyoto + One Week Stay = Happiness

Okonomiyaki--Japanese pancake

Geisha on her way to work

It didn't take long to fall in love with Kyoto--actually just the few minutes it took the taxi to take us fromt he train station to the Westin where we would be staying for the next week.  As we turned onto every street you could see both the rich history of the old capital mixed in with the modern hustle and bustle.  The same streets with the towering skyscrapers and the crowded shopping districts were scattered with famous temples, Zen gardens and ancient shrines.  Our first few days have been action packed as their is so much to see. Just as we have done in many cities our first stop was to eat.  We decided to try one of the specialties in Japenese culture--okonomiyaki or Japenese pancake.  Cooked right in front of you, the pancake includes pork, shrimp, cheese, spring onions in a batter topped with fried noodles, fried egg and Japanese BBQ sauce. Although it was incredibly delicious, we definitely were slow walkers after the meal.  To walk off the enormous lunch we headed to the Heian Shrine--a 5/8th replica of the Imperial Palace.  Our first night in Kyoto we were led to one of the Geisha districts where 70-75 geishas or young maikos (geishas in training) are still practicing.  With their painted white masks, bright red lipstick, elaborate layers of kimonos and up to four inch high flip flops, we were lucky to see twelve or thirteen in just the short time we were there. 

Day two in Kyoto was action packed.  In the morning we visisted the Nijo Castle--famous for its nightingale floors that squeak as you walk to inform the shogun that intruders are  present.  After hearing much about the famous tea ceremony we were able to experience the tradition--instead of the formal four hour ceremony we opted for the shorter version of 45 minutes.  We packed into a room with  4 1/2 tatami mats (4 is an unlucky number in Japan) and sat with our legs underneath us as we watched the master at work.  The mindfulness and discipline in every motion was a beauty to watch.  I loved to find out that slurping is highly recommended as it is a sign that you enjoyed each and every sip. After lunch we made our way to Shoyeido, an incense factory that has been in business for over 300 years.  We finished the day with a few more shrines, temples and Zen gardens--every sight remarkable to the eye.  After a long day of sight seeing we ventured over to a highly recommended steakhouse in town.  We arrived a few minutes early and were led upstairs to the shrine of pictures of famous celebrities you have dined there--Bill Clinton, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen and Julia Roberts (just two weeks earlier).  We arrived downstairs to an intimate dining area with  small menu consisting of big, bigger or the biggest pieces of Kobe beef.  We knew we were in the right place when the hostess passed around the dinner rolls only to trick Tim into picking the styrofoam one which he proceeded to break and the hostess shook her head "Oh, Otazon (father)" and giggled.  The night continued with a traditional geisha dance.  She accepted Tim's offer to sit down and join us for ice cream and conversation.  We learned a lot about the lifestyle of the geisha--although I was most amazed when she brought out the pillow she sleeps on--a block of wood with a small pad on it to keep their head off the ground and preserve the shape of their hair.  The dessert course continued as the hostess brought out a foil wrapped cake for Sam's birthday--we all looked at one another as he is a December birthday.  As he unwrapped it a long snake popped out surprising all of us and causing the geisha to fall on top of Sam--definitely a big highlight! After a full meal we headed out to put on our shoes and in true form the hostess laid a whoopy cushion down under Tim--what a night :)



BFF w/the geisha



The Last Samurai steps



Day three started with a stop at the Nintendo Museum (Kyoto is home to Nintendo Headquarters),then onto large Zen gardens, a traditional monk's lunch and a walk through the bamboo forest which houses the spirits of many. Friday was all about the ninja as we hopped into a super taxi ride to the Ninja Museum outside of Kyoto.  Here I laerned more about the ninja than I ever could have imagined--they sleep on their left side to protect their heart, there are nine different positions to throw ninja stars ("One Throw, One Cut, One Death") and they told time in ancient days by looking at a cat's pupil.  The ninja show was a huge success as swords were pulled out of umbrellas and flutes!



Creations from fabric class--mine
is the demented girl second
from the right

Saturday in Kyoto was our Cultural Day.  All of us had signed up for classes to educate ourselves on traditional Kyoto culture.  In the morning I joined Hannah, Tess and Megan for fabric crafts--I felt I needed to work on my stitching skills :) Luckily for me, our kind hostess had done a lot of preparation before we arrived, so I only made the face and hair for my Japenese girl I named Kiko. The girls had quite a giggle with my finished process but it was a blast.  Our teacher, along with everyone we have met in Japan, was so kind and thoughtful. After a Udon lunch, we headed to origami in the afternoon--much more of my thing. Our hostess took us on a tour of her house which had been in the family for 17 generations, over 400 years. With incredible stories and artifacts it truly was a great insight into the culture of Kyoto.  We left our origami class with samurai hats, foldable boxes, paper pistols, jumping frogs, spinning tops and more! We even were given several packs of our own paper and books to continue our skill. Sadly, only two more days in Kyoto :(

Whew, I am finally caught up on all my blogs!!! I promise to be better about updating now that I can do it from my email on my phone.  I miss everyone so much and think how I wish so many of you were here to see of all the amazing sights.  I am having an amazing time, feel very loved and well taken care of here!! Hope to hear from you :)


Samurai Hannah and Tess
at origami class