Kyoto

Our next destination after Tokyo was Kyoto 500km south. Part of the trip was a tick list of things to do while we were away and one of these was a ride on the bullet train. The journey was 2 hours and as expected very fast but very quiet and oh so smooth. The carriage was much wider than UK trains allowing aircraft type seating with a very roomy 3 plus 2 configuration. The journey was impressive however what impressed me the most was the service. The staff were professional, helpful (and dare I say it) passionate about their job. Its not just the trains where we have seen this level of service but from everyone from shop assistants to people helping to direct the traffic. They are passionate about doing their job well and helping you.  This is not just to tourists but locals a like. As I think you all know I struggle with reading Japanese but I can assume that there are no signs on the trains asking people not to abuse the staff like in the UK. If they cared about their jobs like the Japanese maybe, just maybe, they would not get abused as much (my name is Ben Elton.....Goodnight).

The Bullet trains arrives into a mecca of modern architecture called The Cube. Its the largest building in Kyoto and houses a massive shopping centre, multiple train/metro stations and the biggest atrium (11 stories high) I have ever seen, they seriously know how to build buildings over here.

So why Kyoto, well its one of the original capital cities of Japan and houses the highest density of temples in the country. So after a quick visit to the Tourist Information Centre to find accomodation and pick up a tourist map we selected our top 5 must sees and begun the tour. Our favourite was the Golden Temple this is a temple covered in gold (you don't say) and sitting in a beautiful garden with a lake, amazing! This was also another highlight in it's the first place Emma nearly punched someone. I know you all had bets me being the first to clock someone but poor old Emma got physically pushed out of the way by a Japanese tourist so that they could get the best pictures, very funny and it took several minutes for her to calm down.

Kyoto was another first for us, dorm accomodation. Due to it being the weekend and very busy with tourists we were limited on accomodation.  The only thing left in town was a shared dorm with 12 other lucky souls. I have to say the smell did not bother me, not even the constant snoring from the fellow beside me (a big thanks here for Bio Ears - highly recommended) but it was the fact that no matter what time of the day or night it was someone was sleeping in the room. You have no chance to do stuff, or even get stuff from your bag for fear of disturbing someone.  Also, the mattress or should I say the thin covering of material over a plank of wood did not aid a restful sleep.  I have to say I lost my humour with this place and Emma had her first chance to calm me down.  We were very glad to get out of there.

We both loved Kyoto, more than Tokyo however we did pack rather a lot in and really suffered the next day. We even got to see the last of the cherry blossom which we both wanted to see. We skimmed this place, what with the amazing shopping and sight seeing you could spend a week here and never see everything.

Next destination is Nara, the birth place of Japan

Bill & Emma

This week we have mainly been listening to (Un)Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd