Perfect 1st day: Temples, Sento, GOOD FOOD & Friends

Duck boys!

Our first full day in Japan was packed like a typical Japanese tour itinerary. 

After a wonderful sleep on tatami mats under the futon (or as I like to call them, "fluffy weighted clouds"), we peeled ourselves from under the warmth, scoffed some instant coffee and hot chocolate, ate the nigori and rushed off to the train station to meet friends Naoko and Ai.

We took a bus tour to visit the three most popular shrines in Kyoto: Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple and Ginkakuji Temple.

It was a good way to get around and also catch a little cat nap in-between each visit.

There was a tour guide on our bus who spoke at length about...well I'm not sure what... But as Aila said "she must know a lot because she keeps taking!"

We wondered the narrow streets full of shops and street food. 

A feast for all our senses!

Fluffy weighted pillows. So comfortable and SO difficult to get up in the morning though.

We then went to a local sento (bath house) where Matt M. met us. I could have stayed there for hours soaking and relaxing in the warm thermal pools. Honestly, I am completely in love with the sento concept here. Who doesn't want to 

This time Aila and I had two sento experts with us (Naoko and Ai) so we could follow their lead. It made us realize the little faux-pas we committed last night when we went on our own. Oops! You live, you learn!

All relaxed and squeaky clean, we headed to Matt's home where he cooked up a feast. We finished off with his delicious berry crumble and homemade ice cream.

When we got back to our Airbnb we collapsed under our puffy clouds... Until 2am for me when I woke up wide awake and 3.5 hours later still haven't managed to get back to sleep.

So it's thanks to jet lag l'm able to summarize what has been a memorable day of hospitality, friendship and relaxation.

Onigiri for breakfast.

At Kinkakuji temple with friends Naoko and Ai.

Reading her fortune.

Beautifully raked Buddhist gardens at the Ginkakuji Temple.

Vending machines are EVERYWHERE!

Kiyomizudera Temple

Kids doing a good impression of the dango, a traditional Japanese sweet.

Outside the sento we visited.

Buy your ticket for the sento, lots of options!

Matt M, the chef extraordinaire!

A roast dinner in Japan, well why not?!