There you go. Our dinner laid out on top of a luggage which became a makeshift dining table that night. We bought too much food that night!

And do some people watching!

And stop for a bowl of yummy ramen.

Just around the corner from Harjuku is Omotesando Hills which is a road lined with trees and shops on both sides, not unlike Orchard Road.

It was the Sunday before Halloween and while walking along the streets, we were suddenly caught in a world of cute Japanese kids dressed up in costumes. I was thrilled and amused. The children are so adorable.

Three Princesses

Assorted characters which include a pumpkin and a pirate.

A bumblebee, a fox and a witch.

A man in tiger mask and his pet dog.

A spider.

A rat.

Two witches.

Minnie Mouse and her Spider friend.

Kawaii!

Accordingly to Lonely Planet, geishas could be found at Gion in Kyoto, usually from 6pm onwards. By a stroke of luck, we actually managed to spot a few.

Very evasive. They clearly don’t like the attention from the hordes of tourists who went into a mini frenzy when one is spotted. They look just painted porcelain Japanese dolls. Beautifully dressed and accessorised, they are a sight to behold. The elderly woman in the pictures seems to be in charge. Over 15 minutes or so, she was spotted with 3 different geishas before all of them quickly disappear into the night. Surreal.

Gion at night. Note the wet ground outside the shops which seem to be largely restuarants. Seems to be a custom for shop owners to wet the ground outside the shop front with water in the evening, at the start of their business day. Perhaps for luck.

Abit of nature

Beautiful landscaping

Quaint architecture

Ancient temples

Pagoda – Another World Heritage site

Streets like this which is full of character.

Lovely blooms

Swarovski                                          LV

Then, my camera ran out of batt that night. So anti-climax.

Japanese curry with rice. Note: It was so NOT spicy at all. Tasted more like a kind of thick sweet stew with subtle hint of spices.

Another humongous smile. Expressing his delight at getting his hands on a pancake with bean paste filling. It was made freshly so it was warm and extremely yummy.  (:

On a different occassion, in yet another ramen store. ‘MINE. All MINE.’

With brightly coloured kimonos and cheerful spirits, the 4 Japanese girls were dressed up for a day out to the temple.

On the grounds of the Ryoanji, which is a Zen temple and a World Heritage site, is this rock garden. Some say it is the highest expression of Zen art and teachings and perhaps the single greatest masterpiece of Japanese culture.

“The garden consists of raked white gravel and fifteen moss-covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only 14 of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder. In the Buddhist world the number 15 denotes completeness. So you must have a total view of the garden to make it a whole and meaningful experience, and yet, in the conditions of this world, that is not possible.” (Source: Wiki)

Behind the simple temple that overlooks the rock garden is a stone washbasin called Tsukubai, dated back to the 17th century. It bears a simple but profound four-character inscription: “I learn only to be contented.” This is the heart of Zen philosophy.

A pretty trail lined with trees on both sides.

A pond surrounded by lush greenery with mountains as the backdrop. In this photo, one can see leaves starting to turn colours. It’s early Fall.

Ornate roof tiles