Day Four - A relaxing night in Kyoto

Upon leaving Oak Hotel I realized that I had no idea what to do. So, I had some lunch and I hopped on a Shinkansen (bullet) train bound Westward. I decided to get off the train when I woke up from my nap, which happened to be in Kyoto. I also figured that since I love the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" it might make sense to try to find some landmarks.

When I arrived, I walked 30-45 minutes into suburbian Kyoto, wandering the random streets that have no names.
I looked at my map and apparently there's a hostel near where I was. A nice woman on a bike helped me find it (she even walked me there...) but they don't open until 4:00. So, I waited an hour and found out that they don't have room! I spent another hour going through my Japan books looking for another place to stay.

I decided to take a taxi to Eastern Kyoto (since the books didn't help at all...all the hotels/hostels/ryokans nwere booked) and I came acrss the Watazen Ryokan. Ryokans are traditional japanese style houses that are owned by families or couples, and kind of act like a bed and breakfast. This particular building was definitely not a real Ryokan (more like a hotel) but it was relatively cheap.

The kimono-clad maid is the cutest old woman I have ever seen. She made me tea on the spot and was extremely kind. Shortly after she left (while I was drinking my tea) she knocked on the door and came in and gave me the potted plant that you can see in some of the shots. She then opened one of the walls up and pulled out 3 (yes, three) mattresses and quickly built a makeshift bed, along with sheet covers, blanket, and pillow. I swear it was in under a minute. Do they go through special training to do that???

Only $81 CAD a night! Yes, it's almost double of Oak Hotel's rates, but once you watch the video, you'll know why.

I had a lot of fun making this video and "relaxing". Again, you'll see why shortly :) today's my relax day. I stayed home all day and I'm not complaining at all. I'm like a little wrinkled prune right now because I spent such a long time in the public bath downstairs. I should really start taking it slow! I had 3 really intense nights in Tokyo. Time to chill out a bit.

Music: Wait and See - Utada Hikaru

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kyoto
• Ueno
• Japan
• blog
• manda
• chan
• ryokan
• hotel

[masterrace20]

there is a certain some thing i like about you - thanks informative and entertaining video.

[brokenchopstickz]

ur videos r entertaining!

[bloodyrage]

LMFAO

good one