Japan

[Drunk Monk]

The yen was ¥163 when we got here. Thanks to tr$$$, it just dropped to ¥150

[Drunk Monk]

We spent most of yesterday at the Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros exhibit, which was far more extensive than we imagined. There are only 2 in the world, here & London. Original props & costumes, life size recreations of sets to explore, and reveals on how it was made.

And we did more shopping. It was a more relaxed day. We were both tired from the trip so we took things a lot easier.

8.6 miles only.

Today we leave Godzilla and take the bullet train to Kyoto.

[Greg]

Look out for Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny.

[Drunk Monk]

Look out for Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny.

Nanda?

[Greg]

Look out for Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny.

Nanda?

Fingers crossed.

[thatguy]

Apparently Brad Pitt has been seen at Bud's at La Playa in Carmel-by-the-Sea from time to time. (I guess since he's off the wagon now...) We used to go there pretty frequently. They had a decent menu, a rooftop bar. Nice bar tender. I went on my birthday once and invoked dime time by donating to their charity of the month. They've changed things up in the last few years. haven't gone as much. Free freshly made toll house chocolate chip cookies in the lobby at 7pm because:

The La Playa Hotel, dates to 1905 when artist Chris Jorgensen (1860–1935) built a two-story wood-framed, ell shaped stone mansion on the southwest corner of El Camino Real and 8th Avenue, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The home was a gift to his wife, Angela Ghirardelli (1859–1936), heiress to the Ghirardelli Chocolate fortune. 

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Now at Gotokuji, the origin temple of manekineko, the white cat with one paw lifted you see at every Japanese restaurant. It’s serene and sublime. We made offerings and are waiting for the gift shop to open to get some lucky souvenirs. No sign of Brad or Bad but we’ll keep looking.

[Drunk Monk]

All aboard the bullet train!

[Drunk Monk]

We have arrived in Kyoto
We are in a traditional ryoksan, futon beds on the floor, no tv (we never turned on the tv in either of our first two rooms), an onsen, tatami floors, no chairs with legs and a land lie phone. It’s lovely.

[Drunk Monk]

We are enjoying some complimentary tea in the lobby of our ryokan, which is decorated in traditional style. We are seated next to a suit of 18th century armor with a kyudo set that has a spectacular quiver (I think it doubled as a matchlock stand given the topmost fitting). Soft jazz in the background is nice but I wish it was koto or shamisen.

[Drunk Monk]

The new hotel is awesome. We both like the vibe of Kyoto much more. Still has a huge shopping zone which we explored some yesterday but it’s more small shops than global corporate brands.

The shopping district dates back to the 16th with ancient temples nested between the shops

Once again, Tara found an amazing restaurant. She’s getting all these tips off instagram somehow.  I had a summer ramen which was so good - fresh veggies, frozen pineapple, soy milk broth with vegan cheese - iced! (sounds weird but it was perfect for the heat). Tara has vegan crème brûlée which was amazing

[Drunk Monk]

At the Kyoto train station waiting for our limited express to Nara.

[Drunk Monk]

It’s not every day we get to visit 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

[Drunk Monk]

Just got out of the hotel private hot tub. It was ok, mostly for the Japanese aesthetic, and to force myself to soak my legs and body for 40 mins. Restorative. 

I’m a little travel sick. I have this brutal cough, but no other symptoms. I’m sore but we’ve been averaging 9 miles a day which is 7 more than usual for me. And the heat is intense. My throat is a little dry but not sore. Sinuses clear. But the coughing attacks are bad. I got some condense cough syrup for tonight.

It was a good day today despite the cough. We made it to Nara and saw the two temples there, one with a huge Buddha, the other unesco site with so many lanterns and bowed to the bowing deer. I saw more deer a block from the train station than I’ve seen in my whole life. And that was just the beginning. So many deer. So gentle, except the grifter deer near the gates who were aggressive as any street busker.

The big Buddha temple museum had some spectacular funerary ken swords, including the most beautiful one I have ever seen - but photos weren’t permitted.

Had some mochi at this historic shop. Hand pounded, covered in sesame powder and filled with bean paste. We had another sweet one later at some shop Tara saw on IG with strawberries. Oichi!

The we made it to Oji where matcha began. Had some matcha. Went into nearly a dozen tea shops. Bought gifts. Went to the unesco temple there which was stunning for its detail and history. When we got back to our hotel, Tara came to the conclusion that she doesn’t really like matcha. We had a good laugh over that.

We tried to get dinner at another famous vegan place but it seated less that a dozen and was full. We saw a gyoza place on the way that offered vegan and meat so we hit that. I had fried shrimp gyoza with spicy mayo, soba with a soft egg, and an ume ginger cocktail. Tara had two different gyoza, spicy soba and on. Her meal was better but both were outstanding. Super spicy but not overwhelming, just right.

We did a little more shopping and Tara found some great gifts at the Nintendo store. Then we returned to the hotel for our hot tubs. Tara is still enjoying hers (mine was a half hour earlier)

---

Yesterday was 9.3 miles
Today 11.1

[Drunk Monk]

dihydrocodeine phosphate is the stuff. It’s a shame it’s not legal in the US - a synthetic opioid that’s off here. I haven’t coughed once. Crashed hard for a solid cycle after the dose and the hot tub. Popped awake because pi had to pee. Coughed once in the bathroom and my body is so sore from coughing all day. Crawled back to my futon after taking another syrup bump and waiting for it to kick in. Soon come…