A day in Kyoto

We decided we'd spend the day revisiting some of our favourite (less crowded) places in Kyoto from our 2016 trip. 

The beautiful Zen Buddhist Tofukuji Temple is only one stop from Kyoto Station on the JR line. In 2016 we visited this temple and the famous (but too crowded) Fushimi Inari with our Viatour guide - no need for that this time.

In 2016 I took a beautiful pic of Maxie standing on the Tsutenkyo Bridge - part of the beautiful Tofukuji Temple gardens. Thinking of her today as we crossed over the bridge (as always!!).

 We tried to find different parts of the temple today that we didn't see on our previous visit.

 But, are things changing in Japan? I can't imagine them allowing commercial enterprise like this in the temple grounds two years ago??

 On our return to Kyoto Station we walked about 3klm north up to Shijo-Omiya - Kyoto's downtown area and found another old favourite haunt - the extensive Nishiki Market.

 ...where Rob chose the lunch spot .. using the beer & udon noodle availability criteria.......

 I got to hang out in the famous Nomura Tailor (and wished I had an empty suitcase to take home more goodies!)

 .. and rewarded Rob with a matcha tea ice-cream from Tsujiri, the most famous sweet shop in Gion. This was, without doubt, the best ice cream we've had so far in Japan!

 It's easy to see we're approaching Hanami-joji ("blossom viewing lane") in Gion by the number of tourists appearing in their rented kimonos (very popular with Chinese visitors).

 We were rewarded with a glimpse of a Maiko in one of the Gion side streets during our visit this afternoon.

 But there are all sorts of other picture worthy sights in Gion .....

 A Nashi pear sighting ........

 We walked all the way back to our hotel from Gion - following the picturesque laneways bordering the Shirakawa canal. This beautiful building was constructed from charred off lengths of timber.

We walked over 19,000 steps today (!!!) so we thought we deserved another serving of our new favourite sweet: I think it is called dorayaki. Haruko taught me to order it in Japanese in both red bean and white bean paste versions - and Rob and I have developed a daily addiction which is proving hard to overcome granted there is a maker so close to us at the Isetan Food Hall at Kyoto Station!