Maiko-san at Gion, Kyoto

Maiko-san at Gion, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by juanerubio.

Many people think that spotting 'geishas' is easy in this country... nothing close to reality. Even in Gion, the 'geisha' neighborhood in Kyoto, it's actually quite difficult to come across one of these women, incorrectly thought of as prostitutes in western countries.

We were lucky enough to see one Maiko-san (geisha's apprentice) taking some fresh air, sitting on the windowsill of a window. I asked in japanese, in the most polite way I know if it was possible to take a picture of her: 'sumimasenga, shashin wo torasete itadakemasenka?' and she even came down to the entrance and we could take a few pictures with her.

Wishes

Wishes
Originally uploaded by juanerubio.

This post is dedicated to Pablo, the guy from Chile who left us about a month ago to go back to his country and duties.

During our last visit to Kyoto, we wrote a couple of sticks of wood with wishes for the future, a traditional japanese custom at many shrines. You can read the messages yourselves, if you understand our messy handwriting.

Pablo, mucha suerte y un abrazo desde Japon! :)

Schoolkids and Deers

Schoolkids and Deers
Originally uploaded by juanerubio.

Many famous touristics spots in Nara (where I currently live, former capital of Japan more than a thousand years ago) are located in Nara Park, in the heart of the city.

At almost any time, this place is full of deers, symbol of the city, schoolchildren who buy cookies to feed these cute animals and get scared when they try to take them from their hands, and of course, many japanese and foreign tourists.

Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate
Originally uploaded by juanerubio.

Meaning literally something like 'the bridge that stands in heaven', Amanohashidate is one of the most scenically beautiful places in Japan.

It is a sand bar, covered with pine trees, that links both sides of a bay in Japan sea's coast. It's about 4 kms. long and a few dozens of meters wide. It is said that, in order to imagine this bridge in heaven, you have to go uphill and look upside-down between your legs...

From left to right: Tommi, Rasa and myself.