Kyoto

We slept in a little today- over a week of 12-20k steps a day is catching up with us! Kids all still snoozing when we got up. We planned to head to Nishiki market, but I was a little worried after Tsukiji market was not what I had hoped and very touristy. We went to an underground food hall near Kyoto station for fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes instead. The boys had the special Sakura strawberry pancakes, Tige had a savory set and E and I had the Kyoto pancakes with cream and matcha ice cream. All devoured and delicious, but a super long wait. Surprise call from Mom and Dad, which was awesome, but super loud inside and we have been rapidly converted to no talking on transit or in restaurants, so planned to call again soon. Afterwards we took a train/bus to Enkoji temple, which was about 50 min north of us. We stopped at a Lawsons for chicken for Tige and the kids. I don’t love going to conbinis, but they have saved us so much. The temple was empty and serene and beautiful. It was built in the 1600’s and most of the art moved there in the 1800’s, the most impressive being a painted bamboo screen and seasons painted across panels. A beautiful zen garden and cemetery surrounded it.

We tried to save time by taking the local bus back to Nishiki market, but it ended up being quite the sardine can. Super cheap though- 120 yen per kid, which is about 20 pence.

The Nishiki market was so much better than the a Tokyo market. Loads of people yes, but so many amazing food options and souvenirs. I bought a different style of knife, which was something that I really wanted. We had gyoza and fried chicken and soy milk donuts and walked through the market twice.

We headed toward Onitsuka Tiger again for Tige, but the line was hours long. Stopped at Don Quijote (like a Walmart carnival on 6 floors) and saw a million kids of KitKat (strawberry, Sakura, blueberry, wasabi, peach and matcha to name a few. We picked up a few viral products (and more of the viral sunscreen that is actually amazing).

Our last stop was at Uniqlo- great for basics, cheap and something for everyone. We shopped and tried on and found a few good things. We took the bus back and I headed back with H and E to sort packages and laundry and Tige and Gid went to top up their Suica (transit cards). Good bowls of Ramen and the end of the Last Samurai. Late to bed, but we always end up on this weird schedule.Read more