I am BARRY's Microblog

Travel day today. Hitching a ride, Omi-Cho market, when in Kanazawa one must have gold-leaf ice cream, various views from the streets of Kanazawa, and the lovely garden at the house of a samurai.

Today we were attacked by Nara deer, visited “big” Buddha at Todai-ji (including practicing cleaning his nostril), checked out the lanterns and wisteria at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Finding amazing bread while walking Nara’s small streets was 🧑‍🍳😘.

Nara deer attack Todai-ji temple “Big” Buddha at Todai-ji Practice cleaning “big” Buddha nostril

Today was a low-key break day. Walked to downtown Kyoto via Kamo River, hit the department store bubble machines, shopped Nishiki Market and surrounding area, randomly discovered a 2D Tea Room at the market, found a record store (with listening stations ❤️), and walked to all the stationary stores.

Family picture at the bridge over the river Kamo Gremlins 2 bubble machine Nishiki Market and Sinkyogoku 2D Tea Room Nishiki Market Pronto record store listening stations - in Kyoto Flowers in the streets of Kyoto

French stoop art in Kyoto

We had a fabulous bike ride around Kyoto, seeing Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion), rice fields, and the no-crowd bamboo forest at Nembutsu-ji Temple. Oh, and then a tea ceremony, seeing the original Nintendo building a couple of blocks from our hotel, and finally landing at an izakaya with our kids. 😃

Biking Kyoto streets Rice fields in Kyoto Bamboo forest at Nembutsu-ji Temple Tea ceremony Original Nintendo playing card building Taking the kids to an izakaya

Today we said goodbye to Tokyo, rode the Shinkansen to Kyoto, visited Kiyomizu-dera, walked in the rain through Sannen-zaka, happened into a Gion Festival parade, and wrapped the night on the rooftop overlooking the Kamo River.

Tokyo near prince garden hotel We’re riding the Shinkansen Our kids at Kiyomizu-dera Walking Sannen-zaka in the rain Gion Festival parade Kyoto and the Kamo River at night

Today we learned the way of the ninja, ran into an unexpected festival, gathered around the tiny ramen table, and visited teamLab Planets. (And lonely time with not-pictures friends.)

Gonna miss this view.

Ninja school picture Stilt dancers at Tokyo festival Three of our girls at a tiny ramen shop TeamLab Planets group picture Tokyo national stadium view from skyscraper

I grew up on the Metrodome, so this is absolutely mind bending.

Tokyo dome outfield during baseball game Tokyo dome infield during baseball game Tokyo dome seats

Stationary shopping, Ginza walking, Sensō-ji Temple visiting, people watching, Skytree seeing, tuna salad eating, McDonald’s delivery “what?”ing, and tiny door spying. And the day’s not over yet.

Itoya stationary store Ginza open street Sensō-ji Temple gate Tokyo Skytree 7-11 tuna salad sandwich McDonald’s delivery Tiny door