Trains

26th Sept (Day 13)

We arrived in Kyoto last night and headed straight to our accommodation. It's been a long day travelling so after checking in we looked for the nearest place to get some tea. At the restaurant we were directed to a vending machine to order our meal.  We had to decide what looked the most appetising then insert our money and pressed the button for our chosen meal.  Once we had our tickets a girl directed us to our table and collected the ticket.  It was a strange process.

We had an early start in the morning and headed back towards Kyoto station to catch the train to the shrine at Inari.  On the way we came across a massive Buddhist temple complex called Higashi-Honganji Temple.  The main structure is two intricate and detailed wooden temple buildings. The quantity and quality of detailed carvings is impressive.

We were a bit later than planned getting to the Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shinto Shrine).  We climbed who knows how many steps to get to the summit of Mt Inari.  All the way there are orange Tori Gates.  On the way down we came across some workman erecting or replacing a Tori Gate with no regard to OHS.  This was busiest place we have been to by far. People everywhere it was madness.  The higher you got the easier it was to get a photo as many people bailed out before getting to the top.

Photo bomb me will ya.

What could possibly go wrong?

Arrival gate madness.

One for Jonno.

On the way back home we stopped off in Kyoto at a brew pub for a few well deserved cold drinks.

27th Sept (Day 14)

It was a late start this morning probably had too many drinks the night before.  Today we visited the scenic railway at Saga-Arashiyama. We caught the Romantic Train to Kameko which only takes about 20 minutes winding through a gorge with the Hozugawa River winding below.  

The Romantic train.

After arrival we transferred to a bus and then a boat trip down the river back to Saga-Arashiyama.  The boat trip was a lot of fun, the cheeky old fella running the trip was cracking plenty of jokes that we couldn't understand.  They must have been funny because all the locals were laughing. When one of the crew asked where we came from Australia got a big Oooooh from the rest of the passengers.
When the ride had nearly finished the snack boat pulled up along side and did a roaring trade.

Typhoon Damage.

The walk from the boat drop off point back to the station took us through the Bamboo forest. 

28th Sept (Day 15)

We took a nice stroll through a different part of town to the Kyoto Train Museum.  Another really well done display of Japan's rail history.  Things started slow (they didn't manufacture their first train engine until 1903) but they've well and truly caught up.

The first Model Shinkansen (1964)

An Impressive collection of Steam.

After that it was off to the Pig and Whistle the only pub in town showing the Grand Final.  The joint went off.  At 3 quarter time all the Irish rugby fans started to turn up and wanted to turn the telly over.  Mate there was nearly a riot.  The publican would not be swayed so they had to wait until the end.  Then on the way home we had another feed of Ramen. It's yummy and the best yet.  We spotted the Kyoto tower all lit up tonight.

29th Sept (Day 16)

Today was a bit of a travelling day.  We caught two Shinkansens to Hiroshima arriving mid afternoon.  We were too early for check in so we decided to walk to the hotel.  Bit of a mistake really as it was bloody hot and muggy so we stopped off for a beer in the Bier Loven Cafe on the way.  
After checking into our hotel we spent the early evening walking around the peace park.  A difficult place to visit as it makes you feel very sad. You just can't imagine the moment the bomb exploded.  
We met an old couple who have lived here all their lives.  They didn't have any English and we don't have any Japanese but we had a nice chat anyway.

Memorial tower to the mobalised students.

Thousands of paper Cranes threaded together.

Atomic Bomb dome.

The Peace bell..They encourage you to ring it.

Children's peace monument. There were a few schools in the area.

Hiroshima victims Memorial

We then went hunting for tea. We were looking a bit bemused and a local man asked if we needed any help.  We said we're ok and just looking for somewhere to eat, he insisted we try the local dish Okonomiyaki.  Apparently the Hiroshima version is by far the best (art) and the Osaka version is rubbish.  We'd seen a restaurant serving it near the hotel so on the way back we tried it.  We had to take our shoes off, no one had any english not even the menu.  It was art to watch the young guys cooking and it was Deeeelicious.

30th Sept (Day 17)

First thing this morning we went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.  A sombre place. It has some horrifying stories from survivors and their families along with some disturbing images of injuries and death.  It was very quiet and people reflected on what the results are of using nuclear weapons.

After the museum we caught the Shinkansen to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen Gardens.  It was really hot and humid.  The interior of the castle was a highlight as even though it's been restored a lot of the materials are original.  It's around 350 years old.

Weapons Rack

Kokoen Gardens.

Mum would have loved this garden

We arrived back in Hiroshima late and had a late tea at Italian/Spanish restaurant.  We were planing Okonomiyaki again but our little restaurant was closed on Monday nights.  

1st Oct (Day 18)

A lazy start today, then a walk around the peace park before catching the Shinkansen to Tokyo. A bludge day. Edit a few photos and make a blog post on the train. (Since it's a bludge day better have a beer).