MM4.Travel

Tokyo to Kyoto – Day Six

Saturday 23 May

We left the madness of Akihabara behind for Kyoto the old capital of Japan.

Shinkansen

This was our first Shinkansen or Bullet Train trip in Japan. We hadn’t realised how long the Shinkansen have been running in Japan, turns out they have had them since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which shows how technological advanced Japan is. In contrast we barely have a passenger train between Hamilton & Auckland.

The Shinkansen arriving at Tokyo Station
We were quite taken with the conductor, he was quite animated with his flag.
Sea of houses – we couldn’t believe how urban Japan was. Basically on our two hour journey hurtling along at 300km between Tokyo & Kyoto there was virtually no break in the houses.
Wait almost countryside – apart from the houses & factories in the background.

Kyoto

Definitely felt less frantic than Tokyo, which was a relief. We were staying in Shimogyo Ward, which is fairly central & isn’t far from the historical Gion District.

An old house with Yakisugi or burnt cedar cladding
Around the corner from our hotel was the Bukkōji Temple
A neighbourhood restaurant – finding somewhere to eat in Kyoto was surprisingly difficult, often requiring reservations from the day before.

Steps: 11,229

Walked: 8km

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