Nighttime in Kyoto: After we checked into Hiiragiya Bekkan on April 1st, Fumi-san took Kentaro and I via cab to the local Buddhist temple. Fumi-san has a very lovable, outgoing personality. She just naturally brings out the best in everyone. Because of this, every single cab driver we had in Kyoto became a tour guide for us. Fumi-san would strike up a conversation and they would be inspired to show us all of the best spots to see in town as they chatted away.
One cab driver dropped us off us near the local Buddhist temple. From there, we walked up the long, narrow hill to view the incredible grounds, covered with cherry blossom trees in full bloom, and highlighted by spectacular lighting. This is "good drama" at its finest. That is what all of the pictures above show, albeit imperfectly.
In one part of the temple, there was a fountain with water which was said to bring you long life and good health. There were two metals cups there on long wands, used to dip into the water and drink. Kentaro and I tried it, but Fumi-san was not so sure about the water's cleanliness, flowing out in the open as it was.
On a completely different topic, another wonderful thing about Japan, which I cannot believe I've failed to mention until now, is that there is no tipping. Can you believe it? People actually do a good job for reasons other than a tip at the end of their service, and in fact it is insulting to leave a tip. This means saving probably a hundred dollars a week, not tipping cab drivers, food servers, bellhops, porters, room service, and the like. Beyond the savings, however, it's nice to know that there is a higher ideal of service that motivates people here. Although usually a generous tipper, I sometimes feel that the whole "tip" mentality creates a sense of entitlement which determines whether or not people are going to give you what should be the customary service, based upon your giving them that extra payment.
I really got to like this no-tipping custom, and decided to carry it on in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, in Hong Kong they very much do believe in tipping, and it was difficult to ignore the fact (especially if I planned to return to the same restaurant!) But it was nice while it lasted.
Anyway, I hope that you enjoy these pics. Some are not so clear, but the dreamy look of the cherry blossoms against the temple lighting is too impressive not to share. Thanks to Kentaro, I arrived in Japan at exactly the right time, during the ten days when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The landscape, as a result, was breathtaking. In the third from last photo, you can just make out the full moon in between the trees.
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