Hello, Japan!

In response to Nuno's contribution, I quickly manage to finish my report in Japan, with our kind Japanese Jesus, Yasu. (Thanks, Yasu, for flying over!!! I later found that Fukuoka is quite distant from Kyoto. Thanks for your hospitality, too!!!)

Yasu recommended us to visit the old capital of Japan, Kyoto, which had been the capital of Japan for almost a thousand year. In the first place when I decided to go to Japan, I wanted to see something really Japanese and Kyoto is just the right city to go.

Arrived Kyoto finally after failure communication with the "really-willing-to-help" taxi driver in the airport and missing the hotel's shuttle taxi.... Had my dinner, Lamen noodle. Very tasty!

The first morning in Kyoto, waiting for Yasu to come.

Went to Shionin, a Zen (a branch of Buddhism) temple built in 1175 A.D.

Later met a God of beauty's temple, saw a young lady praying to the God, guess was for her beauty :-)

I therefore tried putting some "water for beauty" in the pond placed beside the temple on my cheek, wished to gain some more beauty!

Later, caught Yasu in the hotel and started for our first day in Kyoto. Here is Ginkakuji Temple, also a Zen temple built in 1482 A.D. by a general to spend his retired life.

We then followed the so-called "Path of Philosophy" and enjoyed a bit of Japanese flavour. The Path of Philosophy was named after that once a philosopher went on this path and came out with his some famous philosophy. I was glad that it is not the tourist season now so we could walk on it without piles of people flooding in.

Our next stop was Kiyomizu Temple, also a famous one and attracts lots of tourists throughout the year.

The start of the second morning in Kyoto. Yasu very generously bought us this quite expensive but very delicious (to me) traditional Japanese breakfast in the hotel. That was because Yasu had free breakfast in the hotel but we didn't.....why????????

Our first stop for the second day was Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple built in the 13th century. Started to snow and got freezing. Maybe it was because I left Newcastle for too long and almost forgot how to be in snow. Yasu's quite a strong man. And oh, don't forget to see the beautiful architecture of the temple covered with gold-leaf in the background!

We later moved on to Nijo Castle, previously the household of a general. We could see the inside of the castle but however could not take any photo. Well, the inside painting on the walls were fabulous and very well preserved, just the Japanese-style interior was with absolutely no furniture at all :-) (How could they manage their daily life? Need nothing at all?) I have so many questions of this kind during this trip regarding Japanese way of living or habits. Sometimes even the Japanese, Yasu, could not give me a proper answer. However, in my thought, Yasu is not the kind of "Japanese" with the stereotype that other typical Japanese have. So, Yasu, I forgive you for sometimes answering me with a "I really don't know"! Nevertheless, Yasu knows quite a lot of Japanese history, which in a way completed my trip this time. Did you work really hard before you came, Yasu? Ha....

The traditional narrow lane in Kyoto. Reminds me of the setting of the film, Memoirs of a Geisha.

We had lunch in one of the resturants in this lane with a grand view of Kyoto city. Nice!!!

The food I had. Yam~ (up). Yasu had eel rice (down).

In the afternoon, we walked on the streets and thought maybe we would find something interesting. And we found this -- Nuno in Lisbon!!! (A second-hand DVD) Is this Nuno a popular star in Portugal?

In the lobby of our hotel, we found that President of Portugal once stayed in the same hotel. Yasu recognized the guy cuz he said he once saw him in World Cup or something... :-)

Then... Yasu flew home......(Thanks Yasu, bye~will come again!!!)

Without Yasu, we had to survive our own with just very little Japanese. We moved to the next city, Osaka, where Takoyaki (baked squid leg with flour liquid and other ingrediants) is one of the famous dishes. Though Yasu did not highly recommend we take it, we still try once. Not as delicious as I previously thought :-) But the size of the squid leg is relatively much more bigger than the vendors in Taiwan offer.

We did not do too many things except keep eating and eating in Osaka, hahaha.... This is Linda eating Yakitori (grilled chicken).

Our last day in Japan was finished with visiting Universal Studio. We took a photo with the star Saint Bernard (he's real) at the entrance.

Got eaten by the Jaw,

and had a close-to-death ride with Spiderman.

After five days of pleasant stay, we said byebye to Japan at the exit of Universal Studio~~

Ciao, Japan! I'll come again~~~