Katie's Asian Adventures

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Kyoto (Japan)

Japan's biggest festival, Gion Matsuri, takes place July 17th in Kyoto. As I did not know about it until I got here on the 13th, I was a bit disappointed that I would miss the main events (I'm heading to Nagoya today).

But the festivities started a couple days ago and as we were wandering the street fair last night, with the crowds and people shouting everywhere, I didn't feel so bad for missing the main event-

Parade floats throughout the Karasuma district

Tons of Japanese people dressed in traditional clothing (dang I want a kimono!)

Lots of weird foods on skewers (pickles, octopus balls) but some not so weird

My hotel wasn't close to much of the touristy stuff (Gion district) but we did explore quite a bit of it Monday evening

(That guy has a sword)

Ringing all the bells = making a wish

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Pod hotel room ! Kyoto

My minor claustrophobia wouldn't let me stay in a 'capsule' hotel- one where you get just enough space for a bed, so it's like you're an astronaut with 3 feet of ceiling- but I DID get a capsule on the female floor of the 'First Class' hotel.

(It's designed to feel like flying first class- everything is decorated / laid out like an airplane, and they even give you a little 'safety instruction' brochure at check in.

Your space = just enough room for a bed ('business class') or a little extra for a bedside table ('first class'). I had an insider deal from Agoda and it turned out to be the same price...

$23/ night, which is cheaper than most hostels I'm staying at.

Rows and rows of 'cabins'

They even give you PJs to wear (I refuse) and a toothbrush!

No English channels on the TV, though, unless you buy their video on demand package for a couple US movies- $10/ night. Which, you know, I paid, at least for day one. After 5 nights of hostels and night activities, this girl needs a night in :)

Nara, Japan

Every once in a while when I meet new people who've traveled places I'm planning on going I'll ask for suggestions or what they particularly loved. This has backfired a lot- there are a ton of people I've met who love Hanoi or Saigon, but I'm not a huge fan- but in the last week two separate women (both mid 20's, one Canadian and one Aussie) said they loved Nara, Japan. And Nara is just outside of Osaka so I decided to spend the day there on my way up to Kyoto.

One thing Nara is known for is their deer- all wild but all super tame. You can feed them, pet them, even get head-butted by one!

According to the Tourist Information Center guy, there are 1,500 deer in Nara Park. I can believe it - they are everywhere. And also prone to chasing down tourists they think have deer biscuits (which I- widely and frugally- did not purchase)

Traveling solo = I take a lot of selfies. But today I took a selfie with deer !

When I tried again later, one of them tried to eat my sunglasses.

The map the Info Center have me was awesome, and the clerk traced a 4 hour walk for me which was perfect.

I don't think I could have walked any more, since I was carrying my backpack (10 kilos- I know it's lighter than a rucksack but I'm not used to carrying that and right now my shoulders are killing me !)

Todaiji Temple

Inside

A water cleansing ritual that I don't really get the meaning of- I participated, though, and just followed the Japanese couple that went before me

Hanging iron lanterns (too cheap to pay for tours at every stop so I don't know what these do / represent)

Also! When getting on the train for Kyoto this guy gets on with Japanese swords in his backpack. Actual SWORDS. I tthink he knew I was taking a picture because for a while it got weird.

Osaka Japan

I've only been in Japan for three days now but already I love so much about it. Japan feels more like Europe or the States, with how the cities and transportation are laid out.

Unfortunately, transportation isn't super clear for those of us who don't read or understand Japanese, because very very little of it is in English, and the signage is few and far between. But every time I feel overwhelmed or confused at the train station or in a train (trying to figure out if I'm on the right one), someone - usual a Japanese woman - comes over and asks me if I need help. One lady even paid for my metro ticket because I couldn't find an ATM to withdraw cash!!! I wanted to hug her but didn't because I don't think Japan is a country of the casual hug.

Any way, long story short: Japanese people have so far been respectful of my space, considerate and SO freaking kind.

And I've been staying in HOSTELS. Can't remember the last time I shared a dorm room with 7 guys or two toilet stalls with 20 people. But since I'm traveling Japan by myself, it's been really nice to meet fellow travelers (esp ones from the US, which was pretty rare in SE Asia)

Summer festival at a temple near our hostel

Practically none of the menus at the non-touristy areas have been in English, so most of what we ordered is by pointing. Here we all got different soups- mine was the 'spicy' (ie orange one) which is essentially the white one with hot sauce.

Too scared to find out what a 'relaxation club' is but this sign just screamed Japan to me

Osaka Castle. It's the top tourist attraction but it's brand new. Like, the castle has elevators.

Died of laughter : this is the 'American cafe'. It serves sandwiches, milkshakes and huge portions of pasta. No, I did not go in (I did have a McGriddle for breakfast, though, since I haven't had one in a couple of years and it was DELICIOUS)