Day 9 June 26

It's Sunday so it means we might have to face some crowds today. We head first for Arashiyama National Forest which is only one stop from where we are staying. The trains are immaculate with velvet seating and seats for one person. Very comfortable. Getting off at the station we basically follow the hordes. Across the bridge and very loud river complete wit small waterfalls we enter the small town. Lots of girls are walking around in kimonos and there are plenty of places to hire them. A bit of a tradition here. The streets are crowded and we make our way up to the temple which as these beautiful gardens Liz would like to see. This leads to the Bamboo Grove which is a delight. There are so many people taking selfies it's crazy.
From there we head to the Monkey Forest. A bit of a steep climb but we are rewarded with monkeys roaming free around us. Plus spectacular views of Kyoto. You are not allowed to stare at the monkeys so we avert our eyes a lot. Then we go into a cage and feed the monkeys through the wire. Lots of fun. We wonder what happens if they jump on you and soon find out as a tourist as it happen to her and this security guard dashes across the compound. The monkey makes a swift retreat. Still it's all a little bit wonderful.
We catch the train back into town and start to make our way to the Manga Museum. The streets are bustling and we have seemed to picked the busiest one. Lots of different food on display here and the aromas are thick and mouth watering. We don't have a clue what any of it is. I drop into Joe's Garage to look through the records quickly so as not to stop our momentum.
Soon we are at the manga Museum and what a joy it is. Everywhere you look people are reading manga comics. Outside in the gardens, amongst the exhibitions, just everywhere. You can read almost any manga ever made. We have come for the King of Pop exhibition featuring the work of Eguchi Hishashi and it's just brilliant. I walk around it twice. Downstairs we read Manga as we wait for an artist to paint our kids as Manga characters.  I love this museum. Even the gift shop is fun.
From there we walk down to Jet Set Records to have a quick dig while Liz looks for a new bag. Feeling a bit hungry we go into a noodle shop and I try the Kamage noodles. A big bowl of noodles with dipping sauce. Messy to eat with chopsticks but delicious. We plan to head to Kyoto tower but Mel is feeling sick so we make our way home.  There are a trio of comedy buskers by the station but we don't get the jokes. Ah!