After another breakfast at our local favorite, we packed up, rode to the train station, navigated various station elevators and escalators before our final bullet train ride to Kyoto. Toshi, Alex's friend, met us on his e-Bike and guided us to our lodging via Seven-Eleven. We left our luggage at the guest houses where we will be for 5 days, then split into groups to do laundry, visit a bike shop, or explore the neighborhood on bikes.
Dinner was at a Kaiten Sushi restaurant where we selected a language and then ordered from a scrolling electronic menu board. Individual dishes arrived on a small conveyer belt. All items are prepped in the kitchen and made to order. Then we cycled in the dark to a beautiful temple and returned to our guest house.
Many photos are by fellow riders.
Kamakura Breakfast
Popular Fertility Lawn Ornament.
Morning Beach Walk. I found sea glass and pottery shards, just like Cayucos.
Trash Day. Recyclables are placed in the bins; trash in bags at a common pick-up point. No individual collection.
Leaving Inn-by-the-Sea. Bikes are loaded with gear to ride to the Kamakura train station.
Entering the High-Speed Bullet Train. After 2 trains and station transfers, we entered the bullet train in Yokohama. Scott sat beside me, pulled up Google or Strava, and recorded speeds around 180 mph. Alex noted that the rail cars are pressurized, like airplanes, to prevent windows imploding when entering tunnels at speed.
Mount Fuji from the bullet train.
Comforting Thought. Spotted in the Kyoto train station, where we unpacked our bikes.
Our first stop for a light lunch. The only commonality between a Japanese and US Seven Eleven store is the name. A wide variety of quality food items are available, and they will heat items upon request.
Traditional Kyoto "townhouse", Koto-an-Machiya. Alex reserved adjacent townhouses, 7 total guest rooms. Each townhouse has a shared shower, kitchen, and 2 toilets. Our townhouse has 2 rooms down—2 rooms up. Scott and I were assigned the upper double room. Then we discovered the ladder/stairs to the 2nd floor. But with no one in the second second floor room, we each have our own penthouse. Our Traditional townhouse room has a futon, quilt, pillow, and backrest with a seat cushion. Fortunately, I like a firm mattress.
Kyoto, much like Tokyo, is generally flat and ideal for cycling. Bikes are everywhere, and most streets have a designated bike lane. Toshi & Alex both noted that the Japanese are great at following the rules except when it come to cycling. Locals of all ages ride on the left side of the road except when they do not. Streets marked no entry/one way for vehicles often have bike lanes on both sides permitting bikes to ride against traffic. Cyclist pass stopped vehicles in the narrow space between the curb and the vehicle. Most drivers are alert and avoid cyclists without getting angry. While cyclists ride where ever they like, street or sidewalk, they wait patiently at stop lights—often really long stop lights. I've seen several near misses but no accidents.
Kaiten Sushi Restaurant Remains (As in leftover empty plates). We were seated 4/table. Our stack of empty plates.
I admit that I'm losing track of the Buddhist Temples and Shinto shrines. After dinner, we night-cycled to these sights. I'll try to add names later.
400-Year Anniversary of Kodai-ji Temple. On April 8th, Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto held a special event to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Kita no Mandokoro, the founder of the temple, and her husband, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. (1548-1624). The temple was founded by Kita no Mandokoro to mourn her late husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598). The temple has a light show that takes place in the Zen garden in front of the Hojo main hall, featuring projection mapping, 2,100 LED lights, and stereoscopic sound.
Yasaka Pagoda, also known as the Tower of Yasaka, is a Buddhist pagoda located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The 5-story tall pagoda is the last remaining structure of a 6th-century temple complex known as Hōkan-ji.
The beauty of Kyoto is amazing. One of my favorite cities in Japan.
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