We took out time getting out of the hotel the next day we we wanted to avoid any peak hour rush out of Hiroshima and into Kyoto. Again our tour guide and everyone at Japan Rail had told us that we had to change at Shin-Osaka, but arriving at the platform we found the train we wanted going directly to Kyoto, straight through Shin-Osaka - a touch under 2 hours. Another lugging of the bags avoided!
We found the hotel easily enough as it was across the road from the Kyoto station, but couldn't check in immediately as we'd arrived too early. So we left the bags and headed off to the station to find the train line to Shijo Station, from where we aimed to head to Nishiki Market.
We had thought Shinagawa Station in Tokyo was big but the Kyoto Station is simply enormous. It ended up taking us about four days to feel we could find our way around it but we were always running into new areas we knew nothing about. The station has two attached hotels (not including our own which was across the street) along with another 4 or 5 in easy walking distance. Added to that the main city bus terminal is directly out the front. This is the way town planning should be done.
We finally figured out the subway map, took the train two stops and then got directions to the market - actually we asked two girls walking past who then turned around and took us directly to the entrance. Typical Japanese friendliness to tourists. A complete contrast to some countries I've been in where the locals obviously only want your money, and won't help you to save their own lives.
Nishiki food market
Pickled vegetables in old saki barrels
Kyoto shopping mall
The market traversed, lunch eaten, pictures taken and we were back at the hotel checking-in to take a rest.
We'd had a fairly easy day and a reasonable lunch so I was looking for something light, tempura for preference. As we were walking along the mall attached to the station we passed 2 men (a father and son I think) who we had seen outside the restaurant on our last night in Takayama. Robyn had spoken to them as we left and told them the meal was fantastic - they'd had to wait as the restaurant was full. Small world, I thought.
We found a dinner place in the mall and I got my tempura and a beer. Another great way to end the day.
Tempura meal set
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