Kyoto

We are spending our last weekend in Japan in Kyoto with Yu, Yuna and Manami. So fun 😍

We chose to stay at an Airbnb and it turned out to be the best idea as we could eat, drink and visit just like at home!

The street to our Airbnb...no vehicles here!

We explored several markets like the Nishiki ...it’s like 5 long blocks of food vendors that are outstanding! We sampled a few 😁

Love the staircase

Baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg

Shrimp tempura 

We also explored different areas

This was geisha town. I was afraid to take more pics as there was a sign that said not to. We did spot one geisha dart across the street and Yu mentioned that was very rare as they are not permitted out in the public

Along the river this area is a popular night scene...several bars and restaurants 

Shabu Shabu

I burnt my mouth...these were soooo steaming hot!

They played a medley of When the Saints go Marching in and The Hallelujah chorus from Handels Messiah. They were doing really well until their music blew away in a gust of wind. Brent and another guy managed to save only a couple of pages ☹️

....apparently one can rent a kimono and walk around town in it!

....woot!

Oh look...another market!

....so I found this fantastic fabric store 🤩 made my day! Apparently I was in there for two hours! I had so much fun I went back for seconds the next day...but for only 80 min...I was timed 🤪 I met a lady from Santa Barbara here. Her art is making Temari balls. I had never heard of them until now. I looked at her website and it appears she’s been on HGTV and has written several books on this. Another celebrity on my list!

Our last night together we went to a Japanese bbq....awesome! Ate too much 🤪

Outside the Kyoto train station 

Took the shuttle bus to the airport...another tearful goodbye. Funny thing...the weather was fantastic until we got on the bus and then the skies opened up!

Thank you Japan for an awesome visit 😘😍