Just like the last time I was here, the first big event is a Kyoto walking tour. It was like a walk down memory lane, and it’s kind of fun seeing everything again. Of course, in a city thousands of years old it’s not like a lot really changes. But still, there were some new sites and things I’d forgotten.

I once again got to make a first shrine visit, drink the water at Kiyomizudera (this time, I drank from the “Long Life” waterfall rather than the “Successful Studies” one—somehow I think I need long life more) and stroll through the fascinating shopping arcades. We stuffed our faces at the same conveyor-belt sushi restaurant and it was pretty cool being able to understand how to order special items on the screen and ask the waitress for things I needed—so much different from the first time when I didn’t know anything. Having a green tea soft ice cream after climbing lots of steps in the humid weather was also a nice treat.

I didn’t end up taking as many photos this time, because it did seem a bit redundant, I’m still a little jet-lagged and it did rain a bit. I promise that there will soon be tons of photos, though!

I was even able to strike out on my own to do some shopping on the way home. I went to the trusty Vivre store in Kitaoji to buy an ethernet cable, manga volume, house slippers and the all important green tea to keep in the fridge. I think I’m probably in for the night now to get things put away and have a look at my new textbook (which is actually a bit frightening—it’s been way too long since I’ve done any real studying). If it’s not pouring rain tomorrow, I may make the trip up to Kurama since that was such a fascinating and beautiful place last time.