4 Buildings please

Weather forcast: sunny with predicted showers 
Planned activities: Imperial Palace Kyoto, Ninja School, Osaka food quarters
Completed activities: Imperial Palace Kyoto, Osaka Red Light District
Today's theme: R&R

Our last day in Kyoto started at very different times for our group. Zak and I rose before the birdies and took one final walk to the top of Mount Inari. We met at 3am, local time, for a meander down the river and arrived in good time at the foot of the mountain filled with shrines. 

Darkness still surrounding us, we walked the path to the summit through the lantern lit shrines and made it to the top in time to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately for us, the shape of the mountain and the overcast skies meant we were stood at the  top of a mountain at 4am, a little bit cold, a little bit sweaty, a little bit tired and a lot bit narked. Waves of sunset PTSD coursed through my veins as I relived a cold, overcast evening Ibiza when a famous sunset never emerged. Maybe the beauty of a sunrise and a sunset aren't meant for me. 

As we headed down the mountain, the same path we'd travelled days earlier, a side path took my eye and we decided to investigate the mystery path between the shrines. Our route took us to the bottom quicker than Zak messing up a Japanese conversation (we even put in a light morning jog through the roads) however, we ended up at the wrong side of the mountain. A quick Google Maps showed our way home and we headed back, pleased with our morning journey and guaranteed to beat Colin on the daily step total - win win!

As I arrived back at the accomodation, I was met by a startled Anya who had been looking for me, waking up our own Sleeping Beauty to ask where I was. A hunt around the room showed up no Jazz. The only place left unexplored? Beyond the door to Colin's bedroom. Soon Sleeping Beauty came to the only "logical" explanation and his explanation wasn't that we were trying to beat Colin's step total. 

After a little more sleep, we checked out and headed for the station to lock our belongings before our final excursion around Kyoto. We headed to the Imperial Palace to look at some old buildings and a learn a little bit about Japanese gates - we also stood outside the building currently holding some of the Japanese "Crown Jewels" - a mirror! Colin initiated "Dad mode" and listened to the virtual tour on his phone, the kids ran round and waited at the end for the oldies and I tried to hide my radioactive sunburn in all of the possible shade available. 

We navigated the trains with much ease today, mainly because of the extra time we had given ourselves; we didn't feel rushed. We headed to Osaka and, after a few siestas, we headed out for food. Navigator Paul successfully directed us to a quirky little Italians for pizza and pasta with Anya claiming it was the best pizza she'd ever eaten. 

Food has proven to be a time at the end of the day when we come together, talk about our trip so far and plan our next day. It has also been a good opportunity for Zak to practise his Japanese - sometimes unsuccessfully. I always admire his confidence to keep trying. 

Today, Zak ordered us 4 buildings and 2 cokes to accompany our meal. We now own a thriving, Italian pizza restaurant and outbuildings in Osaka. 

As we headed back to our new Osaka digs for buildings and a few games of cards, we strolled along a pretty, idealistic Japanese street, with lanterns swaying in the wind. Bright lights shone from hundreds of tiny rooms creating a majestic image. As we moved closer we noticed that we had stumbled upon the largest red light district in Japan - ironically, we kept walking through the streets being beckoned into their "restaurants". Anya kept Paul's eyes firmly on the road ahead and steamed for the exit, the rest of us took in the sights of Mickey and Minnie, a cheerleader and even a minion!

We now know why our 4 floor, 16 bed, modern townhouse was dirt cheap... oh well.

Jazz

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