October 22nd (Hiroshima and Kyoto)

We arrived in Kyoto by Shinkansen. We had a hard time finding our hotel because we didn't have detailed map of Kyoto and google maps put the hotel on the wrong street.

A guy on the street noticed that we were looking for something so he called the hotel to find out where it wad and helped us by giving us directions. We weren't far and I think we even passed in front of it without seeing it...

It was too early for check in so walked back to central station to get a map and info on the city and also to buy our train tickets to go to Tokyo.

Tree on the streets of Kyoto

From Trip to Japan

There were signs for a Tezuka Osamu exposition all over the station. Tezuka Osamu is the father of Astroboy and he's a great artist that helped define what manga and anime are today. They say he's the Will Eisner of Japan. The way he drew his comics was greatly inspired by movies. He even pushed it as far as making his characters "actors". The same character, let's say Astroboy, can be found in different series and playing a different role :)

We went and it was just a wall with around 30 of his drawings... At least we didn't pay anything. There was also a merchandise store but nothing really caught my eye and it was pretty expensive anyway.

From Trip to Japan

We walked back to the hotel through the rain and finally checked in but we didn't stay for long because we had organized our whole trip so that we could be in Kyoto on the 22nd to see the only festival that seemed to fit in our schedule: the Fire Festival of Kurama.

I almost wanted to choke because of the rain and man I'm glad we didn't. It took us about an hour to get there and it had already started. There was a LOT of people but the authorities were really organized and they made the crowd flow by intervals up the village so that everybody could see what was happening.

The rain kinda stopped so we were able to take some pictures and bathe in the eerie light of the passing torches and braziers. There was something tribal and pagan in the festival. It made me think of a right of passage. The whole village seemed to participate. I think it's too bad that we don't have cool customs and festivals like that in Canada.

Children carrying small torches

From Trip to Japan

Adults carrying big ones

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The traditional costume doesn't seem to cover much

From Trip to Japan

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From Trip to Japan

From Trip to Japan

From Trip to Japan

On one train going back, we were at the terminal and we saw the seats changing sides ! It's just the back of the seat that moves but I thought it was a good idea. All seats are always facing the right direction.

From Trip to Japan

We left Kurama and stopped to eat in a chinese restaurant in Kyoto. It was good because it was different chinese food then what we usually eat. Then we went to bed.

Another great name for a bar. And it's funny both in french and english.

From Trip to Japan

Nath and I making a toast at the restaurant

From Trip to Japan