December 29, 2006

We saw a lot of interesting sights in Kyoto, from the Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion (actually plated in gold), to the Ginkaku-ji, or Silver Pavilion (not a scrap of silver in sight), but Gion was definitely my favorite place. At first glance it’s just a really nice shopping district, full of upscale stores and brightly lit streets, but take a turn onto one of the side streets and it’s like stepping back in time. Gone are the crowded sidewalks, replaced instead by narrow bricked streets lit only by the light streaming out of rice-paper windows in the old-fashioned wooden buildings lining the road. It’s all exclusive restaurants and tea rooms now, but there’s a definite taste of the surreal when a geisha steps out of one of the low doorways and hurries elegantly down the street to disappear into another room. Japan is full of these contradictions between its fast-paced modernity and refined history. It’s a quality that makes this a most interesting country to experience.

Three days pass quickly, though, and already I find myself back in Yamaguchi. However, it’s clear I won’t have much time to wait for the next adventure. The house is buzzing with activity, for Shogatsu is just around the corner. I can’t wait to find out what this New Year’s will bring!