Japan, Pt.iv

Additional comments from the present (Sep. 6, 2019): This was originally posted in two entries because of the number of images. I’ve combined both entries into one.

Aug. 6, 2018

1/2 because there are a few more pictures…

Woke up in Osaka this morning ready to go. It was neat, but didn’t pull at me much.

I made my way to the train station, and discovered an amazing place seemingly from yesteryear. The line I needed for Kyoto was a special one for sure. The station was spotless. The trains had an old charm that was punctuated once you got in. Absolutely fantastic.

I also appreciated the mild AC. Heaven forbid you over or under chill anyone.

Took just about an hour to get to Kyoto. I jumped off the train, and found my hotel. I knew the room wouldn’t be ready, but I really wanted to not drag my luggage around. So… I left it with the hotel.

At this point it was also an odd time of day. I had yet to eat breakfast, but we were in solid brunch territory. I settled on a cheeseburger from Micky D’s. I’m as disappointed as you are.

After my shame I knew I needed to get out and explore, so explore I did.

I jumped on a few trains and ended up in Arashiyama. It’s a district on the western end of Kyoto along the river Ōi. Absolutely stunning area.

I was there to see monkeys, though. And see them I did. But not after a pretty damn steep hike. Know how to make a guy with a bad knee nervous? Show him a ton of stairs. Even so, I made it. My knee is pretty mad, but it happened.

Anyhow, the monkey park. You climb nearly 103 meters above sea level (you start at zero on this one) to a sanctuary for some monkeys. Monkeys you aren’t allowed to look in the eyes, feed directly, take overt pictures of… but you get to see monkeys.

Side note: still insanely hot and humid in Japan!

The thing that I did like about it was seeing the babies. They’re pretty damn cute, and I don’t care who knows it. The second thing (I can add things) I like is I actually made it up. My knee was screaming, but I pushed past that.

After that I wandered around the area for quite a bit. I was famished, as you can imagine. My first three choices were closed, so I grabbed soba and tempura at a random spot. It wasn’t bad at all.

While eating I debated visiting the Zen temple, gardens, and bamboo grove. Eventually settled on skipping it in favor of heading to check in to my hotel.

Along the way, though, I got distracted. My hotel is very close to a big shopping district, so of course I popped in and out of the various stores before I actually went to my hotel.

I managed to relax a bit once I got in the room, but the room is TINY! One of those spots that has juuuust enough space. Cozy, again.

I went out for dinner around six, and that ended up being something special. I had heard of Hafuu, but wasn’t sure where it was, so off I went on a mission.

A walk, a city bus ride, and another walk, and I missed it. It’s hard to find, so I backtracked and finally found it. Hafuu is actually wedged between two houses in a very quiet residential area. It also isn’t marked in English.

The food was top shelf. Some of the nicest beef I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Fantastic.

That’s part 1… part 2 in a few.

2/2 title not needed

After leaving the restaurant I wandered along more of the shopping street. It was ok. Saw some neat houses. Saw some neat cars.

I started to get bored so made my way to a bar a coworker told me about; Bar Rocking Horse. Such a rad bar. Dark, and intimate. Cocktails only, no beer.