Japan trip day 10: Kyoto (July 25th, 2009)

(Saturday)

Packed and checked out. Took two taxis to Tokyo train station. Took Shinkansen to Kyoto. The train stopped exactly at the spot marked on the platform. Placed our luggage on the top rack in the car. I later learned that you can store your luggage behind the last seat in every car.

The Hotel Granvia Kyoto is built on top of the station. When we arrived to Kyoto train station, I asked for directions from a uniformed person, who showed me the entrance to the hotel. The hotel employee at the entrance placed our luggage on a cart and showed us the way to the lobby.

We got a family room, which had 5 beds and one large bathroom with two sinks. The room had silk bathrobes and disposable slippers, which Shirley used every night.

After settling in, I explored the station with Shirley. We found the Kinetsu mall below the station. Shirley bought a shirt at Uniqlo, which is the Japanese equivalent of Gap. The prices there were very reasonable, even compared to the US. A cotton T-short was about ¥2,000. We also found convenience stores and a small high-end supermarket (Harves). Unfortunately, the Harves supermarket did not carry chocolate milk or disposable utensils, which we had to buy at Family Mart. We bought freshly-baked bread in a bakery on the main level of the station.