From Tokyo to Kyoto

Bright lights of Tokyo








Yesterday was an adventure...up at 4:30 ^just in time for morning practice...but instead of figure skating, i was going to be immersed in the Tsukji fish market in Tokyo. If you get there early enough you can see the HUGE tuna brought in fresh that morning being auctioned off. And after that viewing closes at 6:15, so can wonder through the stalls of other merchants selling every kindo f resh seafoodm while trying to dodge the trolleys speeding around the @place and splashes of fish blood/water! yummy. it was brilliant though, and rewarded afterwards by some delicious melt-in-your-mouth sushi for breakfast at 7am!

After having a nap & checking out of my hostel, I took my first Shinkansen superexpress train ride in Japan to Kyoto. I transversed the station about 3 times before going out the correct exit, becfause somehow, my compass has been turned around yet again! and north is south, and south is north...and when you are trying to go out the south exit, that is not helpful. Eventually found my guesthouse. and then ventured out to the Fushimi INari Taisha (shrine) which is famous for the approx 4km long path lined with thousands of red Torii gates...and it was so lovely in the rain. Also met to Calgarians along the way...and had a delicious ramen meal for dinner.

Now its time for a day full of temple wandering in Kyoto.