Hiking in Kyoto

Good Morning all! Well, I guess it would be good evening in the states... It is a 14 hour time difference here in Japan. 14 hours later here. Here, it is Sunday, Jan 13th. In Michigan it is still Saturday evening. 

I arrived at my family's house in Kobe 3 days ago. My cousin Matthew teaches in the Maritime Sciences Dept of Kobe University. He met his amazing wife, Kazuyo, here 6 years ago and since then they have had two children, Zephyr (4) and Gryphon (11 mo). I proudly am their God mother :)

Yesterday we took the train to Kyoto and met up with Matthew's good friend Carter and his son Kai. First, Carter and Kai took us to a temple where they were celebrating the New Year. Elders were offering delicious amazake out of  a large pot. It was sweet with ginger, soy and what tasted like coconut to me. After giving an offering, ringing the gong and saying a prayer, we started on our hike up Mount Daimonji.

It was a steep climb the entire way up and just as steep down the other side. At total of 13 k. It was a beautiful day, 50 + degrees, sunny and clear. At the summit you could see all of Kyoto and the mountains in the distance. It was a spectacular view!

Today's hike

Please put out your camp fires!

Matthew, Ben (my travel companion), Kai, Carter

View of the Mountains

Old stairs complete with rebar 

To give you an idea of the demographics of Japan: There are over 127 million people on the island of Japan. Japan is the size of California, but only one third of the land is habitable because it is so mountainous. So basically about half the population of the US lives in one third the size of California.

While we were hiking above the city, we saw very few people, maybe 10... and most of them looked over the age of 60. Most don't wander too far out of the city but those who do obviously appreciate the beauty of the land.

Look at all those people!

We watched the sun set from the top and made our way back down quickly as the light was diminishing fast!  Japan is made up of nooks and crannies and we wound our way through the city streets and alleyways to a couple of Matt & Carter's favorite restaurants and pubs. 

Sunset over Kyoto

We were famished, and in Japan it is common for friends to share many little appetizers. We ate everything from Sashimi to whole fish the size of smelt (yes you eat even the heads) and the best chicken wings I had ever had! At the second pub we all shared huge bottles of beer and sat at a table with others out enjoying the evening with friends. This pub was very hip... it was very old and all wood  construction. You could write on the walls and table and the White Stripes wailed on the stereo. 

What a wonderful day it was :) So far, my trip has been spectacular!