Tokyo to Kyoto

We are writing this on our shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Becca: Sometimes you learn new things about people when you travel with them. Have you learned anything about me?

Olly: Hmmmmmm. You like to walk. You don’t put soy sauce on your sushi here. That you drink a lot of coffee and that you’re awake in the middle of the night.

Maybe that’s why I need the coffee. Actually, I don’t drink that much. Want to know what I’ve learned about you?

Sure. Wait! Wait! That I like fish eggs?

Yes! You love them. I had no idea. And you’re really good at reading maps and finding your way around the subway. Maybe it’s all that Monument Valley you play. And I’ve learned that you love to hail taxi cabs. Why are you so good at it?

When the light on top of the taxi is on and the cab is coming near you, you raise your hand. And I’m really good at raising my hand.

We are half way through our trip. Is Japan what you expected?

No. It’s not. 

What surprises.you?

There are lots of taxi cabs. It’s a big city. But everything is small.

We’ve just spent 4 days in Tokyo. Of all our adventures, what would you want to do again?

The shinkansen!

We’ve read books about the shinkansen. We’ve looked at pictures of the shinkansen. And now we are on the shinkansen. Can you believe it?

No. How fast are we going again?

180 mph. That’s more that twice as fast as a car.

Are we there yet?

Pulling out of Tokyo Station.

Snacks.

Collage.

“The shinkansen is smooth and fast. It has engines on the front and back.”

Kyoto station. Olly wanted his photo taken with Pooh

Kyoto Station.

We found our ryokan hidden away at the end of a narrow alleyway.

Olly politely not staring at his first geisha sighting.

Exploring the small streets of Gion.

Tea and sketching our day so far.

A stop for soba at Takehana.

Olly ordered cold soba.

Hot soba with fresh lemons.

Kennin-ji Zen Temple

The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

The temple gates leading up to Gion.

Gion Geishas (Geiko).

Vending machine drinks courtesy of Olly. He insisted on paying.

Forget shrines and geishas, we watched construction for ten minutes.

Walking along the river.

Nishiki Market.

Matcha soft serve.

Always elicits a giggle.

Aritsugu knives. This family has been making swords and knives since the 1500s.

Knife sharpening.

Behind the scenes at Aritsugu.

Coming home with us.

Master knife sharpeners.

A stop for Takoyaki.

Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)—Kyoto street food.

Back to our ryokan.

Tea service in our room.

Tea & Lego Mixels.

What has Oliver been carrying around in his backpack for days? Ninja slippers. Now complete with the Ninja outfit we found today at Nishiki Market.

Olly used his birthday money from Gaga to buy this ninja suit. Thank you Gaga!

Kaiseki in our room, ninja-style.

As we started dinner, Olly said, “This morning we had breakfast in the sky and now we are having dinner on the floor.”

Little surprises under every lid.

We counted 16 bowls, 2 boxes, 5 utensils, and 5 cups.

Squid chawanmushi.

Reading books before bed in our cozy futons.

I went in to wash my face and when I came back, Oliver was already fast asleep.