The Gates Of Wrath

Trip Start Oct 03, 2008
1
8
18
Trip End Oct 19, 2008


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Where I stayed
(Kyoto hotels)

Flag of Japan  , Kinki,
Thursday, October 9, 2008

We spent last night in a tiny alley called Pontocho in central Kyoto which is considered the coolest place for nightlife.  Unfortunately, it being a Wednesday it wasn't exactly bustling but we did have a couple of beers at a second floor bar call Alphabet Avenue with a really nice view of the river at night and a strange soundtrack of reggae covers of Radiohead songs.  Due to lantern fatigue, it wasn't a big night out though.

This morning was spent in a small area just south of Kyoto called Inari which is home to Fushimi-Inari, a shrine dedicated to sake and rice.  And if you thought 3000 lamps was a lot, try 30,000 gates.  The path is completely covered by gates for the best part of 4km and it is an amazing site to behold - photos to follow.  We also tried the local delicacy of inari-zushi which is rice in fried beancurd.  You may be shocked and surprised to learn that I did not really enjoy it and will not be having it again.  Then again I was in an extremely bad mood because Natwest let me down. Again.  Long story and it's all sorted now though.  "Another way" my arse.

Tonight we are going to go all Enter The Dragon and stay in a temple in north Kyoto living the traditional Japanese Buddhist way of life.  Hopefully we can enter a martial arts tournament to the death against a man with metal claws as well.  We're also going to be moving to another temple in the mountain area of Koya-san the night after so we may have to maintain blog silence until then.

As birthdays go, it's been fairly relaxing and, spending the night with the Bhuddists tonight should be even more so.  But that's definitely ok as we are completely shattered at the moment.
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the__hawk
the__hawk on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:23PM

Happy birthday
Hello, all sounds like loads a fun, although I'm with you on the beancurd - yuck. Hope you have/had a good birthday!

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