Aloha everyone, I arrived from Hiroshima yesterday and today’s day two here in beautiful Kyoto. It’s been 24 years since I have been here and I was 26 and staying at a youth hostel back then now I’m a grown-up and I’m staying at a hotel right across from the Kyoto JR station
I’ll leave a small review of this hotel that I’m staying in but let me just summarize it real quick. I’m not very happy with it. Now off to my report
I have three nights here total
Sunday, April 21, 2024
I arrived off of a very comfortable Shinkansen ride
I feel that it is worth it to splurge a little on the green car. It’s so much space and just so relaxing.
When I arrived at Keala station it was like pandemonium. I feel like every station get closer To Tokyo, the city gets bigger and so does this train station There are thousands of people running throughout this gigantic station. The last time I came here we exited through the Central exit of the station, but this time I exited on the west and I didn’t recognize it at all
It’s drizzling here And I did not have an umbrella, but it’s OK. It was very light.
My hotel is literally two minutes away across the street and about two buildings down so that’s very convenient
As per usual Japanese Hotel, I am not able to check in until 3 PM. The difference this time is, they didn’t offer to hold my luggage they offered to allow me to go store it It may not seem like to people, but every other place I’ve been staying as I get there early. They always offer to hold my bags for me and next thing you know when I check my bags are already in my room so Service already had a big big red flag.
The second red flag was that there were huge groups here and this is a small hotel. There’s only eight floors.
The third red flag was, When I did get to check in I didn’t understand what they were telling me about amenities to go pick it up. I was a little confused so when I got to my room, it was like bare bones. I’m like where is everything? I’m so used to all the hotels being stocked from here to kingdom come with things.
Whatever I’ll get over it
Since I couldn’t check in, I walked over to the Avanti department store with With a DonnXiote , But I just was not in the motor by anything
Hungry I walked down the street after borrowing one of the mini umbrellas to hotel offers and I found myself a cute little diamond shop, but I didn’t notice before I got to the Ramen shop laundromat. And it’s empty
I had Drummond for lunch with a fabulous one of the best karaage Chickens ever. I tried walking around, but I was just so tired and the rain was making me feel so gloomy that I decided to go back to the hotel and relax but when I got there, I noticed that people were checking in and it was only 2 o’clock so I came upfront and they were like yes that’s Check you in
When I got to my Up all the clothes I’ve been wanting to wash and headed over to the laundromat. The machines do both wash and dry and I did two loads at 15 minutes each, so I left it there and walked away and started getting ready for my show tonight
Tonight I go to see the 150th anniversary showing of the Miyako Odori.
Of course I forgot at least six pieces of items that I wanted to wash. I guess I’ll try later at my hotels laundromat on the second floor. That is the one redeeming or excuse me two other redeeming qualities of this hotel is that it does have ofuro Laundromat, even though the washing machines are forever busy.
Off to Gion I went after hailing a taxi off the street
I was cutting it so close. The show was at 4:30 and I was leaving at 4:10 and it was traffic time with rain. Good times
I get to Gion Check in got my ticket sat down and within two minutes the lights went out and the show started. It was absolutely breathtaking. It was something to experience such a rich, cultural heritage. I felt so fulfilled
I walked around afterwards, realizing it was still early, but it was raining so I did add a little gloom, but also a little mystery
I went down the little alleys that still said that I was OK to go just no photos so I put my phone away out of respect in case someone was to see me and Sure enough, a Geiko Was walking my way I saw her. I smirked a little smile, and I looked down as she I think, kind of rolled her eyes and opened up to her beautiful umbrella, and she did herself from me. That’s fair I get it. She didn’t know if she was safe even though she would be as I wasn’t there to chase her down or tug k. her kimono or her for pictures.
Gion It’s so so beautiful even in the rain
I was getting a little hungry, but sadly all the places were full as per the signs that were outside
And then I ran into this little signage that said Finlandia, A cocktail bar. I said oh why not open the door stepped in and it was beautiful so chic I sat down. I ordered a Negroni and I met the most wonderful couple from Venezuela who Who have been living in Copenhagen For a few years. They just got married and we had such great conversations I ordered another cocktail and my gosh this mixologist is so darn good. So dangerous too, and I can’t believe how inexpensive the price were. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that it’s only because of the exchange rate.
Nice and buzzed I walked down. The main drag saw sign for the subway followed. It fired up Google Maps. That actually works this time in the city. Find my way to kill station.
Headed home with a stop at Coco curry A quick chow down I got back to the room. I got myself ready to go to the ofuro downstairs. And that was my day, one in Kyoto
