day 07: kyoto

Hangover.

79,000Y left (£450)

Kieren has 38,000Y left

Lazy get up around 9am, wander into coffee shop for sustenance and go in search of bike rental (only 2 left at ryoken plus baths fully booked!)

Cycle from east central way out to mountains in west – Arashiyama!

Hideous vertical hotbox climb up to monkey peak – same height as kyoto tower. Saw wild monkeys (macaques) and view out over kyoto.

Wandered down, walked over other side in blazing sun to bamboo path. Had cups of fried nibbles and a cucumber on a stick.

Eventually faced cycling back (once we worked out how to unfold bikes), arriving home after a shop wander at 6pm.

Refresh and laundry run.

Had a wander around our block and discovered a complex of temples and shrines on our doorstep for tomorrow.

Headed for a udon or ramen shop and sat in a tiny old school ramen place for a big dirty bowl of ramen with rice and gyoza on the side plus a jug of beer each was only ~5000Y!

Wandered to other side of river looking for a drink – everywhere riverside was shutting but found a very jap place where we removed our shoes (no socks!) and sat on the floor on the terrace for a few before closing at 11pm. Came back for a sleep!