Hi everyone!

After a long, long time I've finally managed to get my lazy butt to upload my drawings.
Don't get me wrong, I have tons of artworks it's just that I really hate the hassle of posting and uploading >_>

Okay, now I'd like to rant about Kyoto xD . For those interested please keep reading^^

It's just as nice as Tokyo itself!!
When I took the Shinkansen there, on the way to your right (or left?) you can view Fuji-yama (but I fell asleep).

And when you reach the station, the minute you walk out you'll see huge shopping complexes and hotels all located near the main station!
Oh, and there's this huge model of Ikebana (flower arrangement) and a life-size statue of a maiko there to! ^^

Next, we checked in our Ryoken (traditional Japanese inn) but we had to wait till 4 pm since most hotels and clubs in Japan do their cleaning around this time and it was thus impossible for us to go into our rooms.

I would like to take this opportunity to recommend this ryokan :
"Ryokan Shimizu"
It has a wonderful and traditional ambience and dig this! The owners are able to communicate really fluently in English! So ask anything at the counter; from the best tourist spots and the best eateries xD

Okay, the places I visited in Kyoto (very little as I only stayed for 2 nights) are Gion, Pontocho, Ginkaku-ji, Heian Shrine, and basically a few more places along the way (Kyoto's not that big, really).

Places that I recommend : Gion (for shoppng the latest trends) and Pontocho (during the night you can see many restaurants lighted with lanterns and spot maiko along the way). The minute me and my mum stepped out of the local bus, we saw a really stunning geisha dressed in pink with powdered face and another shorter maiko with the usual coiffered hair. Lol, we were lucky because geisha is very hard to spot even in Tokyo ^^
Then you'll be seeing mamasan (ex-geisha who runs teahouses) >_> they're old so forgive them.

Places at your own risk : the Ginkaku-ji. The whole damn thing was a waste of time and money because when we got there, the temple was under RENOVATION. -___-"
And the souvenirs sold there cost your arms and legs.

Shopping is not a problem in Kyoto. There's Daimaru and you'll get lost in Isetan and Takashimaya (they're really big) @_@
My mom had to buy this Burberry Blue Label bag that she saw and she said it was a die for (it costed US$350) but she said it was a limited edition.

Like I told you, shopping isn't a problem. Then we had yakitori and kaiten-zushi and sukiyaki there.
Kyoto's famous for its mochi (glutinous puffballs filled with paste?) and dango. Do try the green tea and red bean (coz it's their trad.food)
and don't worry whatever you purchase will be wrapped in exquisite gift wrappers lol.

Basically everything is green tea and red bean there from their konnyaku jelly to their cakes and cookies.

If you can manage (and afford) try to experience one night sleeping on a futon and tatami. You won't regret it! And sample the traditional breakfast there and consume raw eggs over rice (I didn't).

Again, thanks to those who took time to read this journal. It was my personal experience and hope it will be of some help to those interested in visiting Japan. Another good advice : Get a LonelyPlanet 10th Edition on Japan because it is a useful guidebook for those travelling without tour groups (like me! xD).

So you see, there are lots of fun things to do around in Kyoto.

That's all for now^^