Kyoto

 May 13, 2023

The weather report promised three days of rain, so being regular tourists in the beautiful town was the obvious way to go. Starting out with an imperial palace (not that interesting), moving on to a Manga museum (better), and finally we spend a few hours in Kyoto’s truly excellent railroad museum.

Later we locate Taro Cafe, which is no longer the cheapest hostel in town. In fact it is not a hostel at all, but now a small restaurant, so we decide to stay and eat. I show them pics from way back when, the woman in the kitchen worked here then too, and says the little lady next door still lives there. This is her in 2006, reliving her time on a Honda Monkey bike. All of 4’8”/140 cm tall she is.  

I go knock on her door, show her the picture and tell her she is world famous in Denmark, because this picture is part of the Japan Trip picture show I have entertained people with for a decade. An hour later she turns up at the restaurant, where she's a regular customer. In fact she's nursing a hangover from yesterday, but - her English being ok - is entertaining company. She drinks water, I drink coke and Axel has decided to taste just about every type of sake the place has to offer. 

Great food, by the way, and a good thing the place doesn't have a smoke detector.

Japanese trains are famous for running on time, but as we enter the one back to our hotel, they announce it'll be delayed because of a connecting train that hasn't made it yet. Half an hour goes by before the doors close, and I’m confident somebody is looking for his hara kiri knives right now.

Imperial Palace, like The Black Castle in Matsumoto more entertaining from the 

outside than from the inside.

Manga Museum cafe, decorated by various famous manga artists.

The place has a large library of manga, dating back to 1912. 

The magazines above are more recent.

Casts of some of the hands that have drawn Japan's most famous mangas, and below all of them.

Shinkansen trains of various vintages.

The 2015 Shinkansen, looking like if it was designed by sci fi nobel illustrator Chris Foss. 200 mph/320 km/t top speed. 

Old train bathroom fixtures.

Older 500 yen pass for Japan Railways.

Religious procession of some sort.

Standing room bar near our hotel, with a 1960s vibe.