Still in capitals - Kyoto

 The morning was spent on walking around Nishiki Market where I enjoyed looking at all the food stalls and we both enjoyed a few tastings - but the only item purchased was chilli powder by Matt! 

We walked to the Gion district. We planned to eat the local specialty at a restaurant I found in the Bib-Michelan Guide. Kanesho was at the end of an alley and difficult to find. Only one dish was on the menu, fresh water eel. Honestly not my thing but I didn't hate my dish of grilled eel served with rice and omlet. Sitting at the counter and watching the chefs prepare our meal which started with oishinken and finished with a dashi broth was a great experience.

 
  

We took some down time in the afternoon before returning to Gion for a twilight stroll past the Kabuki Theater, the famous laneways and bridges lined with weeping willows, and yes, we did see a geiko on her way to an appointment but as she was in one of the alleys they request you not to photograph - I have no photo.

 

We then walked to Yasui Konpiragu love stone and shrine where we did see someone make his wish and climb through the hole in the stone (depending on the direction you crawl through you could be asking to break off a bad relationship or find a new one), and finally the famous pagoda.

 

After we had looked at the pagoda from all possible vantage points, we walked back to the street where a bus took us directly to Omiya station where we dined at a traditional sushi bar, Hiyoko Sushi Restaurant. Again, no English spoken but we were welcomed to sit and enjoy. 

Squeezed in between happy Japanese groups we ordered a range of sushi and watched it being prepared. It was much more simple than an Aussie sushi train, allowing the flavours of the bite sized morsels to shine without mayo or glazes. No wasabi. Beer, saki, or shoju to drink.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped in again at Azukiya where they welcomed us like long lost family members. We didn't quite hit 20k steps today, thank goodness for the Kyoto bus pass! 

Snacks anyone?  Dear Haagen Dazs, please bring this ice cream to Australia! And the kit kat haul included Sakura, Orange, and Peach flavours