Lazy morning wake up from 7am, packed, got locked in with stiff lock, cursing thinking they’d locked us in before K remembered he’d done it.
Wandered up around block of last night’s escapades to find a coffee shop for breakfast and had croquet monsieur with a mountain of cabbage and a scoop of weird cold mash potato…
Bags were stowed in luggage room so we headed out to the temple complex on our doorstep. Turned out to be huge and up the hill so affording great views over Kyoto via small streets bursting with interesting little knick knack shops and the most crowds encountered so far.
Found big Buddha and generally wandered through delightful temple gardens. Wen tot find lunch and ended up in the place with the dog/boy/penis statue for filled pancakes – ideal, before going back to the beautiful patisserie for dessert. Super modern interior and a wait for a seat whilst the staff ascertained if any of the showboating puds were nut-free.
Sat and ate the aesthetic wonders ( and I didn’t drink the chattelatte thing – coffee with green tea?) before collecting bags and chancing a taxi (complete with compulsory white crochet interior) to take us to Kyoto station. Goodbyes said, we taxied to our Machita.
We were a little lost after drop off but randomly a mature lady on a bike caught up with us and took us to the correct street/front door before disappearing!
Townhouse is wonderful – big enough, well designed (aside from kitchen in cupboard under the stairs?!) and quality detailing. No instructions but attempted phone call. Luckily host turned up of his own accord ten mins later.
Soak in tub later, we set out to survey and find food. Long walk discovered nothing (perhaps as its sunday) so we went on a supermarket spree for alcohol sashimi and breakfast.
Munched through entire feast of vaguely unknowns (plus trying fizzy sake!?). Liquor store had 5 litre bottles of whiskey etc!!!
Fingers crossed for a good sleep before Nijo castle tour and park exploration tomorrow.
No English instructions for anything so guessing with air con and auto bath. Plus, this part of town is more Jap, less green, but we’ve decided on public transport anyway thankfully. Feet are super bruised.
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