We trained to the Gion area, got off at Gion-Shijo, and walked east along Shijo Street toward Hanamikoji.
“Wall-to-wall people.”
“Kyoto’s main street.”
Sardine-can crowded. I was holding her hand to not get separated.
(Lover-fingers — pointless to push back at this point.) Five minutes’ walk brought us to Hanamikoji.
“Atmosphere is intense.”
“Pure Kyoto.”
Stone pavement, traditional Kyoto townhouses, red lanterns — Edo-period time-travel vibe. (Hanamikoji actually finished in early Meiji.)
“Lunch first.”
“Yeah — and lunch plan?”
“Researched.”
We arrived at a retro-styled traditional restaurant. Sign read unagi.
“Unagi — been a while.”
“Top reviews on Hanamikoji.”
(Choice — solid.) She grinned.
“And Yuito needs to power up with unagi for the afterwards — lots of sweat and stamina.”
“W-what does that mean?”
(Sweat and stamina — was she planning that after?)
“Heat-fatigue countermeasure. What?”
”…Right.”
I’d jumped to conclusions. Face burning.
“What did you think?”
“T-that…”
“Oh — did you take it in the night-activities sense?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“Same as confessing.”
She grinned. (She’d phrased it ambiguously on purpose to enjoy my reaction.)
We went in and ordered. Pricey but Dad and Mom had given me Shinkansen fare plus extra, so fine.
“Interior matches the exterior.”
“Yeah — see why it’s popular.”
Heavy Japanese decor — felt like fine dining. (Don’t normally come to formal kaiseki-style places.)
The unagi was outstanding — barely needs to be said. We left full and walked Hanamikoji.
“Oh — is that a real maiko?”
“Looks real.”
In Kyoto tourist areas, most maiko-looking people are tourists in costume — easy to tell from awkward walk or wig. This one was clearly real — pro posture, clean walk.
“Sad we can’t photograph her.”
“Calling out and photographing maiko is bad manners.”
“Yeah — would be a hassle for them on the job.”
Some areas have banned photography because of bad tourist behavior. Popular spots have their problems.
We strolled.
“Souvenirs?”
“Yatsuhashi and Kyo-baum are classic — gofun-nail polish and oil-blotting paper are popular for women.”
“Oh, options.”
“Reminder — buy them as personal and hide them.”
If she brought home Kyoto souvenirs the Osaka with friends cover would collapse.
“Got it — Osaka with friends.”
“Trust you.”
She’s thorough — probably fine.
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Author’s note: I’ve started a new work on the side — see syosetu n7344iz. Ratings appreciated. Continued support for this series too!