Akihabara reminded me of Times Square mainly because of the massive lighted billboards and marquis signs hanging everywhere. No theaters here though but rather there are dozens of electronics shops and arcades with a few restaurants breaking up the pattern. Finn was excited to check them out so we separated so he could move quickly. I started my search for Jinbei pajamas that Brendan requested. I misinterpreted a TripAdvisor forum and ended up at a big and tall shop that sold clothing for Sumo wrestler-sized people so definitely not a fit for Brendan. I did eventually succeed one station away from our hotel at the Matsuzakaya Department Store. Finn checked out the arcades and played some games. He said kids were ripping through their cash to keep playing and puffing on cigs while doing so. Our hotel was right in the center of Akihabara next to the train station so it was convenient to walk around. I realized we had not eaten sushi since we a...
Our Kyoto arrival required a quick subway trip to the trendy Gion location of our Airbnb apartment. A nice older man greeted us there and showed us how to use all the high-tech electronic keypads and apologized for the low beams that were not well suited to six-foot men. The Kyoto tourist map is overwhelming with temples and museums so it took some time for us to decide to go to Arishikyama to see the Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, and village. We’re there for the last hour of opening so it was rushed to see the peaceful garden but we manage. Finn was okay because he developed Asian Temple Syndrome which is closely related to European Cathedral Syndrome. Although he was embarrassed that I missed the cue to remove my shoes for the no-shoe zone but I recovered. The village outside the temple has the usual tourist shops and restaurants. We walked a few hundred yards to the Bamboo Forest which is adjacent to the Tenryuji temple. There was sti...