Himeji

We left Kyoto for Osaka today. The duration of the trip on the train was only 20 mins. Once we got there, we were able to check into our room almost immediately although official check in time was hours later. It was looking rather gloomy so we hurried and got on the train to Himeji (1 1/4 hours away).

Luckily the weather held up for our trip to Himeji. This is a shogun's residence and fort, boasting 6 storeys in height. It really is quite different to the other shogun's (samurais' boss) residences we've been to. This one is distinctly combatant in nature - a moat, little holes in the walls to pour hot oil or shoot arrows at their enemies, even specially designed shelves on the wall to store bows and other weapons.

Like any other place, we saw young girls ambling up the steep hills to the place on stilletos and aunties in business suits with their family looking like the trip was just an afterthought and that they'd come visit during working hours.

Himeji-jo
The stairs up each level were incredibly steep and steps were big. I salute these elderly persons climbing the stairs with more gusto I can gather!
View from the top

Cute mascot of Himeji

After we got back from Himeji the heavens opened and rain poured down. It was really miserable weather... we had dinner at KFC across from our hotel. KFC is really not that good in Japan. A certain lack of spice I thought, and the coleslaw tastes too vinegary. But with the heavy rain, and a broken brolly (the wind turned it inside out while we were at Himeji... I nearly hurt a Japanese auntie walking behind me. I got some stern words... but hey, not like I can control the wind OK!) we were in no mood to go anywhere else.

Japan has been interesting and fun, but I now look forward to our last day in Japan tomorrow. After 2 weeks here, I look forward to going back to M'sia to have some family time.