Our Nippon journey: Mon Jan 8 2007 (Day 18)

Our little room at Tour Club

the umbrella we bought from the Visitor's Centre in Shirakawa-go 2 days ago, hanging on the door

First up - Sanjusangendo

The statues at shrines and temples often have a red bib tied to them.

Notice the rain chain hanging from the roof.A decoration with a function

Next - Kiyomizudera
a smaller shrine or temple (don't remember) near Kiyomizudera

walking uphill to Kiyomizudera, passing a cemetery

Arrived at Kiyomizudera and full of tourist

A rain chain

The wooden pillars holding Kiyomizudera

An eatery under Kiyomizudera

Statues

Downhill through the shopping street

Dango, which tastes a bit like the chinese 'tang yuen' but is more chewing and has a different taste. I think the flour is different. I prefer the 'tang yuen'

For me, most of the Japanese snacks looks attractive but doesn't suit my tastebuds - too sweet. Almost all are filled with red bean paste - yuck...

I like how samples are provided so buyers can taste prior to purchasing. Else, how can I tell what it taste like by just looking. I almost spit out a few of the samples i stuffed in my mouth...

This lady, seeing me about to snap her, quickly did the classic Japanese pose

The walk downhill was interesting with old-style shops on both side

Tanuki

Then we spot what we've been wanting to see on the road

I used to think that when you see lots of bicycles, you know it's China. But i was wrong. There are lots of bicycles used as daily transportation in Japan as well.

Final destination for the day - Gion
bought a steaming hot bun (the Japanese also call it manto) to fill up for the moment. Even a bun from a small stall makes effort in packaging and presentation.

Notice the wrapping, which is kind of like a piece of soft bark

A maiko stopped to pose for someone else and I quickly seized the opportunity but on a whim, I forgot that my camera was still in macro-mode. Aaargh..what a waste..she even looked in my direction. She was then whisked away for her next appointment by her 'manager' lady who was waiting impatiently as she pose for photos.