Day one in Kyoto happens to be Christmas day!
I woke up early this morning to talk with my parents and at the time it was still Christmas eve for them. It's really not Christmas without them, but I guess I skip Christmas this year.

I headed out a little before nine in the morning. I bought a 500yen (5 dollar) bus pass for the day and visited a flea market that morning! At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was a large year end flea market. I ended up buying a few things!

Top Left: Tiny sake cup
Top Right: Matching tiny sake cups
Bottom Left: Temari Ball (traditionally a hand ball, but it's an art form now.
Bottom right: Another sake cup.

I then visited Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) which was in the same general area. The bus pass is definitely recommended when you get here. Chances are, your hostel or hotel will sell one for 500yen. They are a deal because anywhere you go is 230. Therefore, if you ride more than twice a day, which you definitely will, it's a deal. I think I saved at least five to seven dollars. It's also quicker than counting out change all the time.

I headed back to Gion after that and visited their local shrine which I hadn't last time I came here. It's spread out and quiet but a very pretty walk.

The weather today was off and on drizzly, sort of breezy and sometimes sunny. In the city it's always shaded anyways and the wind is typically tunnel wind. It is late December but these photos probably look like early fall. It was fairly cold today but I was fine in a coat and sweater.

After walking around for a while and going down old Gion which is the Geisha district with old tea houses, a theater and other shops, it started to rain. My shoes have holes in them so I decided to call it a day.

I am here long enough that I don't need to move around quick and I can actually enjoy some time at my hostel. It's nice to walk around in the morning to early afternoon and head back before it's too cold or too dark.

Today is my last day is Tokyo.

I decided to make a visit to a cat cafe first thing in the morning! Who doesn't like to play with kitties in the morning? Cat cafes are becoming increasingly more and more popular. The young kitties were in a huge kitty house for now. Cats in Japan seem to be much more docile than in America. They actually let you pet their tummies!

Staring intensely at his food being prepared.

Baby cat baby cat baby cat

After spending an hour there, I decided to visit Tokyo Tower! Sky Tree was a little too expensive, so I decided on Tokyo Tower.

The only point at which I could get the whole thing in one shot. It's only about ten meters shorter than the Eifle Tower.

I climbed up to the first observatory. The one at the way top was very expensive. If Godzilla really destroyed Tokyo, I'd probably be dead. The little lego guy is saying that this tower was built with legos!

View from Observatory Deck

Looking down...

A cool shot I took from the bottom of Tokyo Tower. I will definitely frame this picture when I get home!

Today was the day of getting lost. I got so lost, so often that I started thinking: "Well, it could be worse. At least I am in the right country."

I went to Shinjuku, Harauku and Shibuya today.

Shinjuku and Shibuya has the famed, terribly busy crossing that we think of when we see Tokyo. It's used in movies, almost as a symbol of Tokyo. In my whole time in Japan, the most homeless people I ever saw was here, and there were two. (Or maybe they were just passed out drunk, I don't know.)

Yes I walked in it, but no, I didn't stay for long. I took this from the window (you can see the X shadows from the window) from the station.
Shinjuku station is also famous for Hachiko (the dog who waited at the station every day for his owner even after he passed away). It's the number 1 meet up spot in Japan. (And of course it took me forever to find the damn exit)

After getting lost, and more lost, and so very lost. I ended up taking a train to Harajuku to see Takeshitadori which is a street known for shopping, crazy clothes, music and youth. Many people cosplay here, dressing as their favorite anime character. The latest trends are said to come out of this street, but sometimes the fashion seems a little too wild. (Or maybe I am being old.)

Takeshita Street

Half of them are foreigners

A typical storefront

You crazy kids (and the foreigner taking a photo with you)

The fun didn't stop there. After I was done with the crazy crowded youth, I went to Meiji shrine. It was hot. I mean, really hot. The sky was blue, but it was so bright that it looks bright white. My sunglasses were not enough. The walk is beautiful and rather long. It was high noon so not much shade.

THAT IS ALL SAKE

BEAUTIFUL SAKE

Less crowded and so beautiful

I did a loop around the shrine, out the back, went back through Takeshita street the back way, then went across the street to Yayogi Park. I didn't stay long because there were many mosquitoes and it was getting late afternoon. It's a beautiful active park, filled with joggers, kids playing catch, or the occasional students doing homework.

Oh. And these rockabilly groups who, despite the painful heat and humidity, still danced for us foreigners.

I had maps, I had train tickets, I prepared everything, but still got lost. I constantly got turned around and spent a lot of time wandering. I was able to do all of these in a day, but it was definitely tiring. I came back a little early to shower, get dinner at a small restaurant and went to bed early.

Why early?

Because tomorrow...

DISNEY LAND!

Today I decided to go to Akihabara. It's known for it's electronics stores (some which are rather sketchy), games for cheap or the top of the line games, and anime/manga. Out of the station I got a little turned around and had difficulty finding the main shopping street.

Akiba, for short, was probably my least favorite place on this trip. If you are really into games, anime and pop culture, you'll love it! Oh, and you should probably be a guy. If you are on a family trip to Japan with little kids, also do not go here. It's not a place for kids, nor girls by themselves.

There were many foreigners here, including myself. But the male to female ratio was astounding. Sometimes I had to search for females who weren't working in a cafe. Japan is very safe and I was never hassled. It was still very unsettling and not my idea of fun.

If you are looking for that retro game you've been dying to get your hands on, or the latest Final Fantasy 45 (or whatever number they are on) then you will find it here. Need a figure of your favorite character? Also here. Want your favorite anime character made into an adorable cake served by cat girl maids? Also here.

**My word of advice. Please, keep this in mind:**

The bottom floors of shops are open and mostly rated G. (Japan's G rating for anime is sometimes astounding to me) but as you go up, it gets older, older, older, and they don't stop you, or your kids. (There sometimes won't be warning, gotta look around.)

It is completely possible to bring kids, just keep an eye on them, don't be alarmed at the trash on the street and stop when you get to the third floor.

For girls, especially foreigners, do not wear skirts or dresses or shorts. If you do, be aware of escalators and 'up skirting' with phones. Walk in groups or bring a guy friend with you.