A big day today – leaving Tokyo and heading to Kyoto. But first coffee – and sadly on our last day we found the best coffee ever just around the corner at the strangely named Innsomnia Hotel in Akasaka. Just like home – only more polite. Then it was time to pack up and head out to Tokyo Station via the subway to board the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Sounds like fun – and it was – except for the first part. We got lost headed to the wrong subway station to transfer – and our bags really are way too heavy – next time I’ll leave the beard trimmer at home.
Eventually boarded the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) for Kyoto and it ticked all the boxes – super fast (check), bento boxes for sale on board (check), obnoxious tourists (check). After a couple of hours of flashing past a bunch of slightly sad looking rural towns we were in Kyoto. And for once locating and accessing our accommodation (via Air BnB) was a dream. We’re staying in “one big room” – at least that’s how it was advertised on Air BnB and it’s fine – on the 11th floor of an apartment building in central Kyoto.
And Kyoto… well it’s lovely. Narrow streets, cool little shops and timber townhouses, flocks of Japanese school kids being led around by teachers waving flags – and quite a few “craft” beer bars. We strolled around for a while, stumbled upon the excellent Nishiki Market – all kinds of awesome snacks – including yet more Takoyaki (octopus balls) complete with delicious mayo and bonito flakes. A little shopping was also done – and a little gaming. Louis dragged us into a local gaming place – it was massive. 3 floors of weird games that ranged from old school Streetfighter arcade style games (which Louis played) right through to complex platformers and RPGs. There also seemed to be quite a lot of gambling going on. Old dudes gambling sitting next to school kids gaming – excellent.
After discovering the excellent Japanese dining guide site bento.com, we walked over to a Sake and Craft Beer Bar called Before 9 – it was excellent. Friendly staff, great sake and beer and a cool vibe. We were easily the biggest dorks there. Dinner was at Tskuada Nojo – a chicken sukyaki place down by the river. It was fine – a bit weird – we skipped the horse meat sashimi – but the enthusiasm of the staff made up for that. Plus the lift doors tried to eat Jules. Kyoto wants us to stay – and that’s OK.
flyeelookee 