Our Final Day in Kyoto

November 27, 2018

By Cindy

Woke up, yep - still a sauna in our room, and head to the hotel's oensen.  The men and women's are separate because you bath nude.  If you have any tattoos you are not allowed to go in.  As you enter they had at least 12 little/short stalls where you sit down and shower and wash yourself.  Then you go in the pools.  One was very cold and the other warm and cozy.  I was uptight about there not being any clothing allowed, but got lucky because there was only one other person.  Andy and Hudson went to the men's and loved it too!

Out and about for our last day in Japan.  We took a taxi to the Arashiyama.  There is the  Monkey Park.  I woke up with a cold and just didn't feel up for the hike up the hill but Andy and the kids went.  They LOVED the monkey park.  It had a beautiful view of Kyoto.  Monkeys were everywhere and they feed them peanuts.  I was told by the kids that the monkeys were well behaved until food came out and then they were vicious little creatures. They could walk around with the monkeys but when they wanted to feed them they had to do it through a fenced area.

Walked from the park on the beautiful old  Togetsukyo Bridge over the river which offers great views.  Took the path to the Bamboo Forrest.  The bamboo was tall and a bit mythical as it swayed in the breeze.

Saylor finally got her wish granted and we had udon for lunch.  It was good but we all agreed that the ramen from Ramen Alley in Tokyo was the best of the three soups we have had so far.  Topped off lunch with a cherry blossom and green tea swirl ice cream cone.   The family  gave it a thumbs down.

Jumped on the train to the Golden Pavillion, Kinkaku-ji Temple.  A small walk up to the temple area and as we approached it was breathtaking.  We came at the perfect time, on the perfect day.  The sun hit this magical temple that is covered in gold and surrounded by fall colors with a remarkable reflection in the pond. Breathtaking..

...

This morning we checked out of our hotel and Andy found a great Airbnb.  It is the complete opposite,   3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms,  and a wash machine which is much needed at this point. Our host meet us in front of a mall and walked us to the house.  It is so interesting the amount of respect they show for each other here.  As we entered the street of the houses we had to pick up our luggage so it didn't make noise for others.    I love as you enter the property you have to go through a curtain and there is a beautiful courtyard.  Of course as you enter the house the row of slippers are waiting for you.

We love our place so much that we decided to stay in for dinner.  Andy was a trooper and went out to get us some dinner.  We have been in search of Ramune.  It is a lemon-lime carbonated soft drink from 1876. The bottle is made of glass and sealed with a marble on top.  The marble can block the flow of the drink, but Hudson got the hang of it.

Wrapping up some thoughts on Kyoto.  It feels like it is the soul of Japan.  It is spiritual and full of heart. Beautiful fall colors. Japan needs to put soap in more of their public restrooms. Not loving the toilets that are just a hole in the ground.    Temples are everywhere! Traditional dress all over Kyoto.