Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is the
busiest center we have been to in Japan. Its busyness takes away from the quiet
we have enjoyed over the past week and a half.
Being the cultural high point of the country, many people, as we did,
decide to stay here the longest to take it all in. Japan has seen a growth in
tourism over the past few years from 4 million to 24 million tourists/year. The
Chinese, of course, are the reason for this.
Signs like this are needed to keep the tourists in check.
With the
typhoon blowing its way to Tokyo we were left with a little drizzle Wednesday
morning and high humidity. The real feel temperatures of in the mid 40s are
draining.
We stay in
the Gion district. This area is steeped with ancient culture and traditions in
one area and modern glitz in another. Plenty of shrines and parks to add to it.
There is a shopping arcade that lasts for many city blocks that keep us dry
during the drizzle.
An aisle was dedicated to food. Dried fish are used as a base for most broths.
Kyoto being
the cultural capital, we saw many people dressed in yukatas. We found out later
these are tourists who rent the outfits for the day. Selfie sticks and phones help
identify the Chinese in a hurry.
One of the many temples.
The walking
tour of the Gion gave lots of information about the Geisha. Many years since I
read Memoirs of a Geisha and things have changed since the old days. Currently
there are 300 Geishas in Japan; all in Kyoto. Girls at 15 may start to train as
a Maikos. They are taken into a training house and provided with board and
room, education and training. They learn etiquette, how to walk, bow, and be an
entertainer. If they want to continue in the profession, after age 21, they
must go out on their own and build up a clientele.
The tea houses,
where the geishas work, do not serve tea. To enter, at a $500 entrance fee, you
must be a member. You must buy supper for $300. Expensive night out.
Not many people make it past this unassuming gate into the most expensive tea house in Japan. Only those with membership privileges.
There are so
many festivals on in Kyoto during the summer. Many lantern and light displays
at night.
Jack treated
us to new hats on our way to see an evening display of lights to represent the
milky way.
Many city blocks displayed different lights.
On Wednesday, I wanted to
travel out to the bamboo forest. It did look like the pictures in Lonely
Planet, but with many, many tourists. The heat is overwhelming, so our desire to hike
along all the paths is limited.
We have
found a family favourite food – katsu don. Although after eating it for 2 days,
I am ready to take a break.
And I was left to enjoy the green tea ice-cream on my own.
