Day 8 - Kyoto, grandpa, and beyond

On Tuesday, the 8th day of our journey, we traveled to Kyoto by bullet train to stay for the last week of our trip.  Before leaving Yokohama, however, we made last minute plans through Mae's father to meet her grandfather in a town over one hour away - not in the direction of Kyoto.  They picked a good public restaurant he could easily walk or ride his bike to and that we could find close to the train station.  Her grandfather is 85 years old and moved faster than we did. 

We got off at the station no problem and didn't even have to look for the restaurant as Mae's grandfather was waiting for us on the train platform.  He kindly bought us lunch and train tokens back to Kyoto. He spoke very good English.  Years ago he was an interpreter.  We really enjoyed talking to him and are so glad Mae could meet him for her very first time in person!

We arrived in Kyoto that evening by bullet train.  The train took us to Kyoto Station where there is shopping, bus and taxi depot, and the Hotel Granvia.  Across the common courtyard was an amazing 11-story mall with an outdoor stairway to the top.  At night, the face of the stairs lit up with words to welcome foreigners.  Here we could find shopping and restaurants and eateries.  Lynne finally found a hamburger......

View out our hotel window.  The observation needle is atop another hotel.

Walking out the hotel entrance and looking into the courtyard and then across to the mall.

Escalator and stairs up to the 11th floor of the shopping.