18^th-25^th May 2016

I arrive in Kyoto earlier than I otherwise would have on the recommendation of a good friend. Apparently there’s a lot to do here. I also find out that the JR Pass I got covers not only the bullet train to Kyoto but also the train to Hiroshima and the JR ferry to Miyajima Island which everyone keeps raving about.

After my night of settling in at the hostel (which when I arrive was empty) my first day trip is to head to Miyajima island. The route is easy enough and everything is sign posted right up to the ferry. When I arrive on the island I’m greeted by some very friendly deer before venturing in my swimming trunks over to the Shinto gate while the tide is still in.

I manage to meet up with a gorgeous girl I had met at the airport, who by chance is on the island at the same time. We pose for a photo and whilst she hikes up the mountain I decide that with my flip flops it’s probably best just to venture around the flat ground. Flat or not, the sun is out and I walk a good few miles before coming across a lake of water so fresh, clean and cooling I decide to stick my feet in. Whilst I’m at it, I may as well dip my body in seeing as I have trunks on. Whilst I’m at it, I may as well go for a swim. Another chap comes to dip his toes in and whilst we’re at it we may as well get some photos to capture this moment of bliss.

I was so happy in that moment. Life is good.

“HEY! YOU TWO!”

A lady has been watching me the entire time and she doesn’t find it amusing like the rest of the locals and foreigners who smile and wave. Not one bit. Taking the photo was the last straw for her. She reminds us that this is a temple and we should show some respect. No one’s been in these waters for hundreds of years and I decide it’s a good moment to dip my toes in, take a swim and then take a photo of it! Moments after the photo capturing my bliss I am immediately washed at guilt due to my ignorance.

I don’t regret doing it given I didn’t realise but I sure should’ve known better in the first place!

Me and my new Lithuanian friend, after bonding with some disrespectful dipping, decide to join each other in going to Hiroshima and exploring the museum and peace gardens. We get there easy enough and rent some audio guides and agree to meet at the end.

I’m encountered with a story I first learnt about in Manchester museum. That of Sadako Sazaki, who made the white crane the international symbol of peace after contracting radiation poisoning from the A-Bomb and who kept making paper cranes wishing to recover. Sadly, she never did. The symbol lives on as a reminder of the atrocities which occurred and should be avoided.

I’m glad I did this with someone as it’s quite hard hitting and it meant we could get a beer together afterwards. As we are exploring the Hiroshima castle, there is a stunning young lady. I suggest to my new friend we should ask someone to take our photo, he seems a little unsure why but agrees. I ask the lady if she speaks English and to take it for us and she does. Conveniently, this allows us to start a natural conversation and it turns out she is by herself too so we can invite her along tonight and she joins. She’s a joy to be around and I hope the opportunity comes to meet her again (as friends, as she does have a boyfriend of course).

Over the next couple of days I explore temples galore.

Go to Ringos, the local underground Beatles bar.

And then, with a few guys from the hostel, hit an all you can drink club. Meeting a lovely lady at the same time.

It’s an action packed week, with more temples than I dare to keep track of. The end of the week doesn’t disappoint either. The lovely lady I met in Hiroshima is now in Kyoto also and, on a close friend’s recommendation we head to a place called Kentos. I’m a little worried this old school vibe might not be her thing and when it turns out it is I’m over the moon. It only gets better when we arrive and it just happens to be Beatles night!!

So much fun! We twisted and we shouted and we had a fab time.

The next morning I’m off to Osaka for my final few days because it’s close to the airport. The hostel looks pretty cool but I can’t find a whole lot to do in the area. It seems Kyoto is the place to be! I’ve been invited to a club by a DJ but I decide I should only go if I find someone to go with. I’m still a little nervous about people’s far reaching generosity. Though every time I’m shown there is nothing to worry about and people are just being nice to be nice. This time is no exception.

But rewind a little bit. As I wait for the 3pm check in time I hang out in the communal area. Within moments I’m chatting, somewhat flirting with the two attractive ladies that work there. I put my feet up on one, moments after meeting her and feeling there’s a connection straight away. Eventually, it’s time to check in and I’m heading up stairs (with a cheeky “you can join if you wish”) because I am seriously knackered and do need some sleep.

I ask one of the ladies if they fancy coming to DJ Ganna Ganna’s club which I got invited to and I’m delighted that she says she’ll join. As she works there she’s able to get two push bikes for us to make our way there and with that we’re off.

It was brilliant fun, DJ Ganna Ganna was great and got us free entry and some free shots as well. He introduced me to the crowd as his “British guest” and the set was fantastic. Another guy gave us free champagne and we danced the night away.

The second day is spent sightseeing with the same girl and in the night in the hostel we decide to play some beer pong. I go to the local 7/11 and get a load of drinks. Thinking I’ve bought way too much I’m impressed that we leave the bottles practically empty come the end of the night.

Another brilliant night and I end it by saying “on va chez toi ou chez moi?” to one of the attractive ladies. She laughs and we go to (our separate) beds. Five minutes pass and having packed my bag I go to the locker, next to lifts, to get my things.

Ping.

The elevator opens. She’s standing there with just her dressing gown. I’m standing there just in my pants. What do I do?

I know.

“On va chez toi ou chez moi?”

Japan. You’ve treated me oh so well.

And with that I’m leaving for the airport the next morning to go to China with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.