Lost in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari/http://abidare.wordpress.com/tag/kyoto/

Thanks to film titled "Lost in Translation" Kyoto caught my attention.

Geisha-spotting is the main attraction tourist devote themselves to in here.

http://www.meltingpotinternational.com/Lifestyle_archive2.html

There are five geisha districts in the city so it is quite easy to do it though sometimes it's difficult to tell real geishas from tourists dressed up for them.

http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Geisha_Kyoto_Gion.jpg

They wear elaborated kimonos and beautifully adorned *obis. And below the footwear worn by geishas.

http://www.postersmania.com/poster-93277-2499210

It's called "geta" 

Geta (下駄) are a form of traditional Japanese footwear that resemble both clogs and flip-flops.

http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/ryoan-ji-temple.html

It's hard to image but you can find  no fewer than seven UNESCO world heritage sites in here. Fushimi Inari is one of them. Hiraniwa - a flat garden is the second one.Hiraniwa(s) are also called "zen gardens".



Well if you dream about visiting one but you don't have bright prospects about a travel to Kyoto, chin up! There's a perfect solluction to you. 

http://www.coool-stuff.com/gardens-made-of-stone-and-sand/

--> mini zen garden!!! xD












* geisha or geiko - bear in mind they are people of art not prostitutes!!! :)
* obi - is not a supermarket! ;) It's a type of belt.

Kawaii or not?

The Japanese are known for their innovative thinking and perfection. Sometimes it leads to incredible invetions sometimes to silly ones. The one below is used for keeping your hair out of food. I'm not sure if I need that. It spoils an image a little bit, doesn't it? :)

http://u3593p1861.ilyke.net/wtf-japanese-inventions/40854/?utm_campaign=u3593p1861

The Japanese are crazy about robots and I've jumped into this madness as well. Here you are the one that is used for dental "experiments".

At the end let Bjork (one the best God's "invention";)) sing. Well, she's not Japanese but she's really good at pretending one! A round of applause, please! :)

oh, let's not forget about a Japanese saying the one for today:  

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。 

(Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu) Literally: If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub.
Meaning: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

(Read more: http://www.linguanaut.com/japanese_sayings.htm#ixzz2pQ1coljK)

* kawaii means "cute" in Japanese.