Brad, our fearless tour guide, always armed with at least two maps, lead us all around Kyoto. Thanks Brad!


We visited Nijō Castle (二条城). It's known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like squeaking sounds when stepped on. It really does sound like birds! The garden around is was beautiful. It made me miss my own garden. I'm anxious to get home and see how much everything grew in ten days.




We walked trough a neat food market. I tried my first authentic Japanese tempura. It was covering Japanese eggplant, sweet potatoes, a bundle of peas onions, and a beautifully shaped vegetable called lotus root. It was VERY crowded. I didn't too to well with all the people but it was really interesting to see all the food.

Next stop, Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社 ) which is dedicated to Inari, the god of grain. The fox is the god's messenger. The foxes are said to be helpful, but others are said to be dangerous and bewitch people, sometimes even in the guise of beautiful woman. The fox spirits are said to be able to possess people by slipping through their fingernails. There are stone fox statues all around the shrine.

I bought some candied ginger here. Tim and I love this stuff!



We had some Inari Zuchi sweetened sushi rice wrapped in fried tofu, which is said to be the favorite food of the fox.





Then once you pass the buildings, there is a path 4 km long of solid red gates. It is quite a site to see.



When we returned to Toyko via the bullet train. We got cleaned up and went out for Karaoke. Wow. That was a blast. We drank sake and plum wine with soda. I sang Lisa Lobe's "Stay" as well as many other songs.

And now to explain the title of this blog. After karaoke we took a taxi and got off by the bridge between everyone's apartment. We weren't quite done talking so we sat down under the bridge. We ended up sitting around a heater by a van down by the river. The van was also a bar. Cool. Beer please. (Wait, do I even drink beer? I guess so!) So that's how I ended up drinking a beer under a bridge by a van down by the river in Toyko, Japan.

[Videos of these adventures may (or may not) be coming soon.]

Our first full day in Kyoto we hopped on the bus and headed to the Golden Temple.


It was really beautiful.







After the temple, we headed out for a big lunch. And I mean big. It really hit the spot! These photos are of MY lunch only! Oh, and I got a big bowl of ramen that's NOT pictured here.



Then we found a beer vending machine. Rachael and I had Chu-his (think Mike's Hard Lemonade). Here I am ordering our drinks.



Here we are enjoying our drinks on the side of the street.



OK, get ready for this. Look closely!



Yep, that's me! Rachael and I got made up like Geishas. It was so much fun! This is certainly one of the highlights of my trip. First we changed into a thin pink robe (geisha underwear) and picked out our kimono. Then they painted our face and neck. This takes a long time. After that they put on the wig. The most interesting part was when they dressed us. You wouldn't belive all the layers involved. There was 3 robes layered and probably half a dozen belts around my waist. It was like a corset. I couldn't bend at all. What a great memory!



Check out this great video Brad took of us.



Here are some real Geisha.

Yesterday was tiring. I’m not sure if it’s jet lag catching up with me (I wake up at 6:30 not matter what time I go to bed.), or the Swine Flu setting in (just kidding mom) but yesterday took a lot out of me.

After our morning blogging session, Rachael and I set out to have some real Ramen. No dried noodles with packets of MSG here. We biked, took a train, and then walked to get to her favorite Ramen place. We had to wait a few minutes to have a seat. The shop held 6 stools and a small kitchen. Even with such a small set up, they have a vending machine where you select what type you’d like and then hand your receipt to the chef. The noodles there are house made. The pork stock is rich and flavorful. Our Ramen had two slices of pork, lots of thinly sliced green onion, and some type of purple vegetable. Then you can add what you like. I crushed a clove of fresh garlic on top, white sesame seeds, lots of pickled ginger, and some spicy pickled spinach concoction. It was worth the build up. I tried really hard to slurp it like the Japanese folks next to me but it’s harder than it seems.



We stopped at a doughnut shop on our way back. WE got two cake donuts to go. Rachael had to run an errand so I went up to the garden level where we had our sushi picnic my first day here. I ordered a Starbucks all by myself. (And by ordered, I mean I pointed to a picture in a menu and paid.)

We went to the St. Mary’s School where Brad and Rachael teach for their concert. It was fun. From there we rushed to a train station and a few hours later landed in Koyto.



This is the way lots of Japanese folks pose for photos.



People sleep (or at least pretend to) on the trains.

Our hostel is fantastic! It’s so beautiful and charming!



The interior garden at the hostel.



A common room at the hostel.



What our futon beds looked like when we got there.



Our room all set up.



Arigato gozaimas.

There’s lots to see here so we should have interesting blogs the next few days.

Yesterday was a busy day with lots of photos. (Rachael and Brad took some of the photos I'm posting today.)

We biked to the train station and took it to this huge, busy intersection of downtown Tokyo. Here’s me looking awkward and out of place.



We went to the most visited Starbucks in the plant and people watched from the second floor.



Then it was off to Meiji Gardens in Central Tokyo. Getting to the shrine is about a 30 minute walk.



Before you enter it you supposed to are to rinse your hands and mouth at the fount (or tattemizuya).



While there, we saw a traditional wedding taking place. Check out the wedding dress!



Visitors to the shrine could purchase wooden plaques to write their prayers on.



Rachael and I Went to Fujimamas for lunch. (Turns out it’s not really and easy place to find but it IS worth the search. We shared a swordfish sandwich served with crispy fried onions.



After lunch we went to the bank and checked out the 10th floor of the high-rise just for the view. Wow.



After all the walking, biking, and train riding, Rachael and I needed a cocktail. So Rachael made us her signature drink the Terrace Tonic (find the recipe on her blog).
It really hit the spot!



Brad and Rachael planned a dinner at a Yakiniku restaurant called Matsusakagyu Yakiniku. Wicapedia describes it as this:


Yakiniku [焼き肉] In a yakiniku restaurant, diners order several types of prepared raw ingredients (either individually or as a set) which are brought to the table. The ingredients are cooked by the diners on a grill built into the table throughout the duration of the meal, several pieces at a time.



This place had a flyer on the table that had a bio of the farmer who raise the beef we were about to eat. I though that was very interesting.

First Course- Kimchi, a traditional Korean pickled dish made of vegetables and spicy cabbage



Second Course- Beef tendon over greens.



Third Course- steak Tartar. Are you surprises I ate this? Oh, just wait!



Fourth Course- Steak Sashimi. Here’s a play by plan in photos (thanks Brad!).












Fifth Course- Cow tongue. This we cooked on our table grill. Chewy.



Sixth Course- a platter of various cut of beef (Tenderloin, cheek, and rib meet). The tenderloin was the hands down best.



Seventh Course- Western salad. Sorry, no Ranch.

Eighth Course- A scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream and Barley tea.

(Still with me? I told you it was a busy day!) After that incredible meal Rachael and I went to a little place she referred to as “the plywood restaurant.” It’s a local dig, tiny with plywood covering the walls. Possibly akin to a U.S. dive bar? We had Saki and fried squid.



Bike ride home. The end.

PS For a different perspective on our meals, check out Rachael's blog.