Day 5-15/12 Kyoto - Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley

SE woke me up in the middle of the night saying she couldn't sleep.  Touched her and she was burning hot.  Oh dear oh dear.  Gave her a Panadol but an hour later, she felt as hot as before.  The thermometer we brought decided to malfunction.  Gave her another Panadol and luckily this time it seemed to work.  Her temperature was normal by morning.  But she still wanted to sleep.

Hmm holidays do depend on people NOT falling sick.  Hubby offered to stay with her so JE and I could go out sight-seeing.  My plan for the day was actually a packed one and included going for a kimono experience.  That wouldn't have been fun without hubby and SE.  However we didn't have many days in Kyoto as I'd wanted to leave more for Tokyo. 

Poor sick girl

Luckily SE woke up at mid-day feeling better.  We walked out to get a thermometer and meds, then on to Nishiki market.  I noticed local restaurants in Japan are not inviting to the casual customer.  E.g the shop doesn't look open, the entrance would be difficult to find, people would be seated with their backs right against the front of the shop so all you can see when you look inside are people's backs.  Sometimes we thought the entrance is at another side, but voila there would actually be a sliding door which doesn't look like an entrance.  This one was below ground like our dinner place the previous day. 

Let's lunch down here

JE ordered a lemon drink.  The slices were frozen into a tower which eventually folded down when defrosting.  The food is mine... beef slices with various side dishes.

Beef set with lemon drink

SE had apparently turned into some kind of walrus.

Chicken set (I think) with various sides

Walked on to Nishiki market after lunch.

Almost there

Hubby likes this kind of place.  He had wagyu again and desserts.  I was feeling cold though and mindful that SE just recovered so wasn't in the mood to enjoy the place.  We started walking back to the hotel slightly earlier.  I did see interesting things which I would have bought if more in the mood.

Two kinds of matcha desserts

That night we walked out to Pontocho Alley.  It was supposedly a beautiful atmospheric lane packed with restaurants.  Hmm it seemed rather quiet that night.  Not many people, not many shops open.

We picked a restaurant at random since it was already late.  Hubby picked various items which was uncommon back home.  He always enjoys doing this at decent Japanese restaurants.    

At the counter

Me, I'm no expert in fish.  Menu items looked expensive and I just picked the cheapest set which had 8 pieces.  SE followed suit.  Doesn't look like a lot huh?  Erm now I can't remember the price and have thrown away the receipt.  I noticed a young guy leaving and thanking the chef loudly at the door.  Hubby said this was the norm there.

Take a picture of my dinner then will attack

I later noticed there was a 418yen table charge per person.  So we pay a lot to eat there, then must pay table charge and then also must thank them for having us?  Haha.  Later when I asked the kids which meal they liked best, JE named this one.  I guess it was worth it then!

To wrap up, at least it not a wasted day as far as the kiasu trip planner was concerned.