Geisha Girl..

On a recent trip to Kyoto I underwent a transformation... I became a maiko, an apprentice geisha.

Kyoto with Annie! Arashiyama

Annie came to Japan! We had a wonderful time: karaoke, sushi, okonimiyaki, castles... We were still working, but we spent our days off together in Arashiyama.

Fushimi Inari

If you've seen Memoires of a Geisha you may recognise this place... There is a scene where the young girl is running through hundreds of red tori gates, and it is a fairly popular tourist spot in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple. It is a beautiful, peaceful place.

Kyoto: Kinkakuji & Ryonaji and Gion!

Our second day in Kyoto with SJ and John was fantastic. It started a little later than the day before (we stayed out pretty late drinking in our karaoke booth!), but it really was beautiful. Cherry blossoms were everywhere!

Kyoto: Nanzenji & Ginkakuji

Spring is well and truly in bloom in Kansai, and we spent a beautiful day in Kyoto admiring temples AND cherry blossoms!

Kinkaku-ji

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Beware.. many gratuitous shots of the same building to come.

Central Kyoto

Yesterday was a magical day in central Kyoto.

Tengu Festival in Arashiyama

  

Today was a fantastic initiation into the Japan outside of Osaka, our new home town. We took a combination of local trains to a part of Kyoto called Arashiyama, which is famous for its gardens and temples.