Monday 11 May 2015
Highlights: Shrine Gates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sushi train.
An early morning start leaving our hotel in Hiroshima for Kyoto that include two trains, the first was about 1 hour 30 minutes to Osaka and then another 15 minute bullet train to Kyoto. Our hotel (Ibis Kyoto) was right across from the station so a quick bag drop at reception and we were off to see the Shrine Gates.The Japan Rail Passes definitely got a lot of use today. The Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine gates are very famous, even I had seen them without knowing there exact location. On visiting you undertake a traditional prayer; two head bows, two loud handclaps, a prayer and then bow again.
Shrine Gates at Fushimi Inari-TaishaDuring the visit three Japanese school girls approached my to take part in a survey which was really a test of their English skills. This finished with a photo and one of the girls giving me an origami flower as a thank you. A nice touch.
We returned to the main train station and Ted showed us some ‘unusual’ restaurants. One of the unusual aspects was ordering the meal from a vending type machine, then waiting outside for the staff to fletch you to a shared table, weird but very efficient.
The train station was massive and had a huge array of shops many boutiques and higher end plus a posh hotel. In many ways it was a high end shopping complex with a major train station attached.
Next up was an optional visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. There was a problem with the trains so we took a bus. The Bamboo path was like a step back in time to another place.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
We also walked the countryside with about half the group, including myself going to another shrine which was memorable for the cemetery , and the other half going to a very nice small 
The night time was free time but a number of the group got together and visited a sushi train restaurant that was enjoyable to watch you potential food rotated around the room. Being a Monday they didn’t refill the train often but I liked my choices 🍤😎
Nathan's Insights 