Hotel Asyl Nara Annex

So I finally got around to putting up the big-ol Kyoto trip, so here we go!

For those of you who don't know, Kyoto is a pretty big tourist spot for Japan, due to it not being really touched by any carpet-bombing in WW2, and considering it was also to capital of Japan, before Tokyo. Needless to say, between all the things to see, and getting to see my buddy Jack, I was very excited.

Getting down to Kyoto was pretty nice. Somehow ...

... at Steak Ron, delicious Sakuyaki at Hariju and more helpings of takoyaki/okonomuyaki/yakisoba.

S teak Ron
1-10-2 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku | Umeda, Osaka

Hariju
1-9-26 Nishishinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka

Takontetsu (Pizza Ball House)
1-9-20 Maru Bldg Umeda 1 Chome

... at the station in Osaka. I surprised her with a couchsurfing adventure planned for the nearby Nara Prefecture and the old city of Nara (site of the original capital of Japan). She was excited!

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NIGHT #1:

Our first night was spent with Eri (age 25) and her family. They feed us a wonderful Japanese dinner and set us up in a traditional tatami guest room. Wonderful hosts:) I only wished we'd had more time ...

... the time" moments, we bought crackers from a vendor to feed from the deer. As soon as the transaction was completed, nay, before it was completed, deer were biting, ramming, antler...ing, and generally bullying my buttocks. In retrospect, I have come to the conclusion that the whole thing is a clever scheme designed to herd visitors into shops as they seek safety.
With great effort and more than a little speed, we finally evaded the deer and ...

... monk and a small group of people. The other monk and some of the group were getting ready to ring the bell (It takes a good bit of strength, as you ring it by pulling back a log that is about 10-12" in diameter and a good 7' long. When JoEn saw us, he waved and smiled, motioning us to come over. He offered to let me ring the bell with him, and we walloped the sucker. No little "ding" for us! *grin* Afterwards, I presented my business card to him ...

... too thin in the face, not hawking a cheesy smile) is actually awe inspiring, even for me, who as a general rule tries not to be surprised by anything (a gift and a curse).  The crowds, as expected were huge and I finally found myself in the midst of foreigners in Japan.  Don't know where they've been hiding, but apparently all roads lead to Nara.



Despite a nice hike around Nara, I ended the trip early and met some other hostel guests for dinner in Osaka's ...

... at the Kyoto Century Hotel. Got our bags up to the room, then met Mr. T back down in the lobby. Where to lunch he asks? He says they have Italian here in the hotel, or we can go find McDonalds, etc. LOL The kids both say in unison...SUSHI! Mr. T was surprised, but elated, I think. We went to the little sushi place just down from the hotel. And oh was it good, fun too! We sat in a booth and the sushi goes by on this conveyor belt; when you see a piece you want, you ...

... hire them and stayed (while we booked out 2 bikes) to be our interpreter. How kind was that? Next thing we were cycling off around the town. We found the park with its really friendly deer and bought packets of 'shika-sembei' which are small round biscuits wrapped in rice paper. These deer just love them and watch people buying them from the vendors. Then they all gather round and literally rob the person for them! We had a better idea of buying them ...

... various American Indian tribes talk. Heck, it was all I had since my language book told me how to order every kind of food imaginable minus a plain cheeseburger. I could order that deadly poisonous blowfish, but not a plain cheeseburger. Luckily I knew the "u" thing worked for mayonnaise. If I could get them started on that, then the general idea should carry me through the other condiments. It worked like a charm. Picture menus got us in the right ballpark, and my sparkling ...

... in journey there *nd onw*rds. But she didn't st*y the night *t the 'Men's Only 'The Big One' in Kochie she s*id with * l*ugh *fter I questioned her *nd expl*ined wh*t it w*s. The m*n *t Aw* Iked* h*d told her *bout my feet *nd the first pl*ce she thought of w*s N*r* *s we were both supposed to come here together *fter meeting up prior. Wh*t * pity, Shodoshim* would h*ve been the perfect pl*ce to h*ve met ...