Tijo Markets at Kyoto

Today we started at the Tijo Markets in Kyoto – they are held once a month, and my word, I have never seen markets so large or so busy before. We spent about 3 hours there walking up and down and I think we didn’t even get through it all.

Ooh, I found an iPhone app that says out loud common phrases.. and today we used both “Where is the nearest toilet?” and “Japan is a fantastic place to visit” – it was exciting because both times, the person knew what it said. Also, last night, we used Google Translator on the iPhone to ask for cold and flu tablets, we showed the crazy Japanese lettering to the old pharmacy dude, and he read it and gave us some tablets.. I hope they are the right ones. Nonetheless, it is somewhat exciting being able to communicate with the locals.

At the markets we did buy a few things.. gifts for friends.. sshh.. and I found this omgcrazy amazing hoodie jacket that I fell in love with instantly, along with this simply gorgeous colourful and happy beanie.

LOOK AT DA PAW PRINTS ON DA BACK!.. and the kitty in the bed.. so fucking cute.

Jesse’s major purchases for the day was an awesome red scarf and a kimono – how japanese!

I actually didn’t take many photos of the markets at all – whoops – we kinda forgot, and were very wrapped up in it.. but it truly was a sight to see; if not for the amount stalls, then for the amount of people.

Here is the temple which is where the markets were held, and a snap of us walking through the entrance.

Here is one cute house amongst many dingy lookin houses..

Today, when returning to Osaka from Kyoto, instead of taking the ‘local’ train which takes 40 minutes, we decided to reserve a seat on the Shinkansen (bullet train) – it seriously took us only 12 minutes to get from A to B.. we saved 28 minutes of our lives! I managed to snap a piccie of the aerodynamic bullettrain as it was arriving..

We found some sorta slot machines/pokies but they were crap and boring, unfortunately. We didn’t really know how to play them either

Another one of the many malls.. yes, Brisbane, it’s possible to have more than one :p

Some Japanese girls singing in the middle of Osaka on an overpass.. ? Attracting a small crowd too.

We went to dinner at this weird dimly lit place, where we sat at the table and they closed a red curtain around us.. it sorta felt like a love booth. The girl there tried very hard to speak English and we could see was getting frustrated at herself. In the end, thankfully she understood words like ‘chicken’, ‘pizza’, ‘cheesecake’ and ‘icecream’ and we were good to go.

We then found a KFC. We decided to go in and grab an after-dinner snack?

Here we are on the ferris wheel

A panoramic view from the Ferris Wheel… along with Jesse’s eloquent dialogue. You will need volume for the full effect for this one–honestly Tracey, please do something about him. :)

Oh, and today, Jesse pooed in his first hole in the ground. We’ve now both enjoyed the experience – except he didn’t have a handle bar to hold onto for balance.

Tonight is our last night in the guest house – I have had a runny nose/cough for a few days running now.. bluergh. Jesse is sick of this place and cannot wait for a proper bed and proper room at the hotel in Hiroshima tomorrow – we have also decided to do very little, we both feel as though we need physical rest, moreso than what a good night’s sleep can provide.

Oh, and a myth I would like to bust.

They do not all look the same – their appearance varies from person to person. Perhaps if you put one asian in a country full of whitefolk, then he or she will stand out.. but in a city full of Japanese people (and I assure you, it most certainly is full!) – they do not appear to all look the same