Arasuyama & Welcome Dinner for OKU Hike

This morning we found a laundromat and visited, briefly, Kyoto's Imperial gardens (while the washing was being done). A huge area 1300 x 700 metres but we only saw a small section.
We then got the subway into Kyoto Station and tried to find the Sky Tourist Bus. For one day it would have cost us $AUD46 each. Instead, we got the public bus to Arasuyama where the Bamboo Forest is. Approximately $AUD2.50 each way and the bus trip took an hour with 27 stops, but way cheaper than the tourist bus!
There were hoards of tourists at Arasuyama and the Bamboo Forest, but it was a pleasant outing.
Tonight we have a Welcome Dinner for the OKU Japan Nakasendo & Kiso Valley Hike. This is what we have been training for and looking forward to for a year now. Sadly one of my knees (Kerrie's) flared up after the 5 day bike trip, so it will be interesting to see if I can complete the hike.
There are a couple of photos of Japanese taxis in this Footprint. Roger can explain more ...
ALERT: Skip this if you have no interest in cars!
I was fascinated to see so many old style Toyota Crown taxis throughout Japan. As an ex Crown owner I had to investigate. Toyota made special vehicles, as taxis, with longer wheelbase and larger boots, etc. This was not based on the normal Crown but used mechanical bits from a model like the Camry. Apparently, they used the Crown body design as it was very long lasting. In deference to handicapped people, the government encouraged manufacturers to produce designs for wheelchairs etc. so Toyota ceased production of the Crown taxis in 2018.
However, taxi drivers seem to prefer the Crowns so they still out-number the newer design.
Post Welcome Dinner note - an older group than we expected (12 walkers and the Guide, Nat). We were taken to a traditional Japanese restaurant and, once again, enjoyed delicious and varied food. Tomorrow we start walking, but return to the hotel for the next 2 nights. We then head off on the Nakasendo trail, heading for Tokyo.Read more