Eastern Kyoto
Did a Lonely Planet suggested walk from Southern to Northern part of Eastern Kyoto and ended up in Gion district by the late afternoon.
Besides spotting a french woman with purple and blue hair and purchasing socks for only 100¥ per pair, there were some good food around the area. We went into some curry place that allowed full or half size serving portions (for ladies & children) and also extra toppings and flexibility to adjust the level of spiciness. For example, I had a half size serving of cream crab croquette and additional okra & tofu to go along with.
Literally spent the entire day in the Gion district and immediate surrounding area. All the shops looked like a movie set with traditional teahouses and the people dressed up in costumes. Within half hour of entering the district, 2 Geishas were spotted and I started a line of photographers busy snapping away. I feel like the paparazzi, a well trained one even! There were so many shops in the area it will take more than a day if you were to visit every single shop.
Once we set foot into the Geisha spotting area (its official because the paparazzi are just as interesting as the Geishas themselves). Beware of imitations though...some girls pay to dress up as Geishas and were pulled around in rickshaws, waving to the crowd. Besides the wave which was a dead giveaway, note the digital camera in their hands instead of a proper instrument. Also notice the amount of time they have in stopping by the roadside instead of rushing from one teahouse to the next.
Kyoto to Kobe is only half hour on the special rapid express. Then another 15min to Rokkomichi station where our 3rd CS_host Terrance lives. Dinner that night was an astounding 2000¥ per person
Besides spotting a french woman with purple and blue hair and purchasing socks for only 100¥ per pair, there were some good food around the area. We went into some curry place that allowed full or half size serving portions (for ladies & children) and also extra toppings and flexibility to adjust the level of spiciness. For example, I had a half size serving of cream crab croquette and additional okra & tofu to go along with.
Literally spent the entire day in the Gion district and immediate surrounding area. All the shops looked like a movie set with traditional teahouses and the people dressed up in costumes. Within half hour of entering the district, 2 Geishas were spotted and I started a line of photographers busy snapping away. I feel like the paparazzi, a well trained one even! There were so many shops in the area it will take more than a day if you were to visit every single shop.
Once we set foot into the Geisha spotting area (its official because the paparazzi are just as interesting as the Geishas themselves). Beware of imitations though...some girls pay to dress up as Geishas and were pulled around in rickshaws, waving to the crowd. Besides the wave which was a dead giveaway, note the digital camera in their hands instead of a proper instrument. Also notice the amount of time they have in stopping by the roadside instead of rushing from one teahouse to the next.
Kyoto to Kobe is only half hour on the special rapid express. Then another 15min to Rokkomichi station where our 3rd CS_host Terrance lives. Dinner that night was an astounding 2000¥ per person