Some Kyoto Highlights

It seems that any train travel in Japan will give lots of views of rice patties. Our trip to Kyoto was no different. A beautiful sign welcomed us at the train station, and a surprise toilet greeted me at the same station. It goes without saying that Japan has the best toilets in the world, so I was not expecting this style. No bidet here, folks. Not even a seat!

The rumor that Kyoto is a popular tourist destination is true, though I don't know how much denser the crowds are after the pandemic. We were packed cheek to jowl in the railway stations, and it wasn't much different in the streets for "must-see" areas. Upon arrival, we felt we were crowd bathing!

Rickshaw runners in the Arashiyama district were great to watch. They had to make sure they kept the rickshaw balanced and from dropping their riders backwards. What a workout.

Women and men dressed in kimono were a delight to see. It's apparently very popular to rent a kimono and wear it all day while you shop and eat. Hard not to take photos of each one you see.

Along the Kamogawa River, wildlife abounds. Falcons soar overhead, and one even dove at a girl and stole her sandwich, sending the plastic wrap flying across the path! It's usually very serene, though. Caught this crane wading in a calm, shallow section.

All I needed was a little encouragement from my friend, Liz, and now I have origami paper with a desire to fold shapes all day long!Okumaya devam et