At midnight, I boarded the bus for Kyoto. Once again I got little sleep, but managed to feel awake enough upon arrival. I planned to meet my dad and his two work colleagues at 8 am in Kyoto station. After changing clothes (from freezing Tomioka to 75 degrees Kyoto) and dropping my stuff off in a locker - where I had to pay twice because I locked my phone inside - I killed time at McDonald’s. It was the only place open before 7 am with outlets. Yum, egg mcmuffin and hash browns. City shock - already the guy taking my order spoke English to me. I found Papa and his colleagues easily enough by the west gates as his head towered over the others. It didn’t feel like we hadn’t seen each other in 9 months.

We headed to the bus depot where we bought day bus passes for everyone before boarding the bus to Ginkakuji, the silver temple. We got there shortly after it opened so it was crowd-free! Last time I had been here was during Silver Week, and there were so little people this time, it was even more peaceful.Then we walked back to a bus stop along the Philosopher's Path. The sakura were long gone except for a few straggler blossoms. We caught the bus to Nijo Castle. The castle gate was even further under construction this time. The gardens still had some blooming sakura and almond trees.

We had such great weather too! It actually got really hot in the sun. We made a pit stop to buy some sunscreen, before finding lunch. They wanted to eat ramen so with the help of tabelog, I found a tiny ramen shop. It was very traditional with counter seats only, run by a couple, serving their family recipe. They were so friendly! She helped us order outside with the pictures on the door, although I could actually read the menu. Moments like this make me realize my progress. Last September, I was helpless, and now I actually know katakana and some kanji. One of my dad’s coworkers is from China so she knew kanji well. We got a delicious, filling lunch. So much food as per usual. The sweet owner kept offering us extra pickled things, and showing us how to eat the food with the raw egg.

Our next stop was Fushimi Inari shrine. Once again, the lack of people astounded me. It was busy, but not unbearable. We walked partially through the woods and all the little tucked away shrines. Then we headed over to Gion, the old part of Kyoto. We took a break at a matcha cafe that sold the famous Tsujiri matcha products. We didn’t want to wait in line at the other places ha. We each got some ice cream. It was very yummy, but I think my local cafe’s is better! While walking through Gion, there was a lot of traffic and people in uniforms. Apparently there was an old car “race” going on. They drove from Nagoya to Kyoto. Got to see some sweet cars.

We took the bus back to Kyoto station before getting on the rapid train to Osaka. Five minutes after we left, Papa asked me about my luggage. I realized I had forgotten to swing by the locker with my stuff. Whoops. I get off at the one stop the rapid train stops at before Osaka, and take a local train back to Kyoto. Of course, at this point my Suica card was all confused and it didn’t let me through the gates. Luckily, the attendant was sympathetic that I forgot my luggage and had to return and he cleared my card. Finally, I’m back on another local train to Osaka and I get there at 7:10 pm, about an hour later. My dad was staying right by the Shin-Osaka station at a fancy Marriott. I found our room, and we met his colleagues again to head out for dinner at a sushi place.

The English menu is sketchy and the staff barely speaks English, but between their efforts and mine in minimal Japanese, we get our food ordered. It was really yummy! We got a variety of things to share like sushi, sashimi, and tempura. Afterward, Papa and I crashed pretty hard. So exhausted from all the walking and jet lag for him.