Day 4 + Departure: Gion and shopping

 


Day 4 - Gion and Shopping!

I set off to get my shopping done today, well it is my last day! I had been keeping an eye out for things but nothing really jumped out at me besides a cute birth flower charm from the Kinkaku-Ji temple. 




I knew I had to get some presents for my kids (class) and had been staying right next to the Pokemon store and would be passing the Sanrio Gallery so was all set to get them some little gifts (also 4 of them have a birthday this month!!) Neither of them opened until 11 so I decided to head to Nishiki Market and checked it out.




 Again it wasn't fully opened but I got a feel for the place and found the Instagram favourite ice cream shop, Sugitora . Their famous parfaits were not available yet so I decided to come back later. 

I then headed to Gion to check out the Geiko and Maiko.


The main street in Gion District

                          




 I was really lucky and saw lots of Maiko! But also lots of people with telescopic cameras following them around! Some of the men seemed to be professionals as they camped outside houses where they obviously knew some Geiko would be leaving or arriving at. I didn't take many photos because until I explored further I wasn't sure how the restrictions worked. I later discovered that there are lots of signs saying where you can photograph and go. I stumbled on the Gion Kagai Art Museum which is the official Geiko museum. A bit more expensive then other places I have been too but, I guess that this is very unique and you have access to the Geiko and Maiko and I booked to see a performance later that afternoon. I learnt about how the Kyoto tradition of Geiko was created and has been preserved. I would 100% watch a doc drama on Haruko Katayama who basically made the Gion style of traditional dance the Inoue School. She sounds like a super strong and interesting woman!




It was a very calming experience. It even had a pretty garden!


I then had a few hours to kill before the performance so I went shopping for presents! After getting myself one:


This is a Maiko hand towel. The towels are used for dancing and wrapping things. I loved how simple and elegant it was.

I rushed back to see the performance which was magical! Again we couldn't record it but so worth it if you are ever there.


Not where the performance took place but they have the evening performances in here.

I then went back Sugitora but had missed the famous parfait! I decided to to have cone with the tiger topping and I really liked it!



I then went back to the hotel and packed as it is my last day! I was also abit tired and needed to use up my cash so I just went to Mosburger and had a teriyaki chicken burger. 

I also had a go at using my travel card to pay for a coffee in Starbucks! It was great for using up the cash on that card. 

Also saw this and loved this random European gothic style house by the river which is currently a Chinese restaurant.



And... my sun cream appeared!!!!!


It was in my suitcase which I searched alot!


Departure

An early start (6am!) but I had no issues checking out and getting to Kyoto station for the express besides it already being hot! I headed for the express station as I had hoped to catch the earlier train (who isn't paranoid that all trains to the airport will be cancelled if they do not get the earlier train!!) and went through the gates so couldn't go back for a coffee! Anyway I thought I needed platform 13 but couldn't see where that was and asked at the information desk only to be sent to platform 30. Normally this is the correct platform to go to but as it was now 7.30 and I guess there are more commuter specials coming in, as the next express was actually on platform 7 which luckily I spotted and headed over there with enough time to get a iced coffee to drink before the train arrived (and use up the credit on my travel card!). They kept reminding us to get a express ticket as well as using our travel card but I knew I could get in on the train so just waited in the queue for one of the unreserved carriages. I had saved some cash to cover this extra ticket and it was all fine once I was on the train.

It was nice to see Osaka and along the Ulji/ Yodo river in the daylight as I arrived at night and it is a very different to Kyoto.  Osaka is a very typical modern city, less old buildings but still some complementary designs but lots of high rises and concrete. In the valley it was more obvious suburban, with slightly bigger and more spaced out homes nestled between the river and the mountains.

Now safely at Osaka Kansai airport I got through check in and security very quickly only to find that the Terminal 2 was very small and didn't have alot of options for food or seating!! However I could use my travel card to pay for things in the terminal so used up the last of my credit on a quick meal of Kimbap, nutty pastry and water. You couldn't go to your gate until they called you (not on a screen - there is a Gate A or B and you can only go to your Gate when they announce your flight is ready for boarding). I was surprised how small it was after Incheon that is so big it has its own High end shopping street and a museum! I guess that was why they say you only need 1 hour to check in!

As the curse of the long name means that I had to check in at the airport, I got put by the emergency door aisle as it must of been the only seats left (you are supposed to pay extra). Fine but you don't actually get a window seat as it is has to be in the aisle so people can get out and you have stow everything so I am putting books, water, headphones and phone in my pockets to sit down! This is definitely only a benefit for tall people!

Conclusion

Kyoto has so much to do and I didn't even explore the nightlife! It is a magical city were you can explore history, culture, food, drink and sports! I saw lots of warnings before going that Kyoto people were not every friendly to tourists but everyone always helped me to the best of their ability and most seemed to speak English to some degree so I could get help or service and never got refused service because I didn't speak Japanese.

The only issue I had was that the data package I had didn't seem to connect very well so while I could get google maps and check where I was, I couldn't get any additional information if I wanted to get a bus or check where a good cafe was! There is alot of wifi in the centre as the stores, chain cafes and city wide free wifi is available but I was out of the centre for alot of my trip so didn't get the benefits of it!


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