The Room

This is what my room looks like. It is slightly bigger than my room at Severn Point, Cardiff. The bed is bigger and I have much more closet space and a fridge. Also, the washbasin is massive. My neighbours are so cool. Making the most amazing friends! Absolutely loving it. カラオケに行こう！

Seen from the door, looking towards the balcony. I've always been lucky enough to have the bed with my left side by the wall, even here in Kyoto. It feels much better that way for some reason.

Big Bed!

Bamboo forest view, via the balcony!

More of my view. Not as fancy as a high rise building but it is still very nice. Quiet too for that matter.

Desk space + too much left over room. Need more books or something i think.

Closet space and frige.







Wash basin, next to my door.

Toilet with a faucet on top. Only ever seen these in Japan. Toostop water wastage by allowing you to wash your hands with the same water that then goes into the toilet tank?

京都！！！ Kyoto!!!

A couple of days after arriving at my dormitory, International House II here in Kyoto I finally managed to wake up early enough to do some exploring of the area near by. My dormitry is a 45 minute from the main shopping district of Kyoto by bike. It is not centrally located but it is not too bad.

I'm loving Kyoto. It is so easy to get around. The city is very flat, and the roads are so smooth. What a difference to the potholed footpaths of the UK and hilly Borås. After going down the (only) hill from my dormitory to the shopping street I rode absentmindedly. All of a sudden I was right next to a small area of Kyoto that is full of old wooden buildings that have the feel as if they were built 50 years ago, but with the modern look of today's architecture. Only later did I find out it was called 嵐山,　Arashiyama. Apparently they have a monkey park(!) and the best time to go sightseeing there is fall when the leaves change colour and spring, for sakura season. There is also lots of small local restaurants, temples and gift shops here. Unfortunately I haven't had time to explore of all of Arashiyama yet, but I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities.

I want to go to the monkey park!!!

On the way to Arashiyama I saw a Panda =P













Might go and eat here and post a review later.

Arashiyama























































This is my bike parked on the corner ^_^ . It even has a basket and everything. Perfect for my shopping. Haha. But there are no gears and sometimes the breaks don't work. Oops









Small narrow streets, with lots of people and cars and BIKES of course







A statue of a Tanuki
A creature from Japanese folklore - Translated it means Raccoon Dog. Usually they are seen as mischievous and playful creatures.

This tanuki is drinking alcohol and smoking.





















Temple