Local traditions and culture in Kyoto

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If you wish to hear Sunday Mass, this church holds English service at 12 noon.

It is right beside the Kyoto Royal Hotel on Kawaramachi St., about 2 mins. walk south of the Shiyakushomae subway station.

Most of the water glasses of restaurants in Japan are small and tiny. I for one drink a lot of water so when I am at the restaurant I request for more water.

Most of the time the Japanese restaurants provide for tea, though. But there is nothing like drinking water after your meal as I am used to.

However, drinking tea is supposed to be good for your health so I just drank a lot of tea while I was there.

Drinking pop/soda is not the "in" thing in Japan. It is very unusual to sea diners ordering coke, sprite or other soda. The Japanese usually drink tea before their meals or after their meals.

Most restaurants in Japan only give one napkin on the table for each person. They don't give away stacks of napkins. So, if you needed one, make sure to request from the waiter and she will gladly give more.

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As we arrived in Kyoto the first day, my sisters and I had to kill time before our check in time at the hotel. (The check in time is actually at 3 pm instead of 11 am in the U.S.). We took a bus and went to one of the temples in Kyoto. As we stopped at the bus stop, we saw a local wedding. This guy in black was pulling a rickshaw with the bride and the groom on it!

It was a little bit chilly that morning (November 2007). The bride was covered with red silk blanket as they proceeded down the street.

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Cherry Blossom Forecast! Is there such a thing?

Apparently, yes in Japan. If you often watch TV or Newspaper they often forecast about cherry blossom fall and the best day to view the full bloom of Sakura tree. Kansai is properly the best region to view sakura during cherry blossom season.

If you staying in the hotel, you will definite see big notice board next to concierge desk (quite common) about Cherry Blossom Forecast.

I realise one cultural expect that we all tourist must observe and learn from the Japanese; particularly when taking a train or bus or even metro.

Things I observed in Kyoto metro:

1. Seat tight or stand quitely
2. No ringtones & no talking in the handphone
3. Whisper only (but most of the time they dont talk)
4. Look down or up otherwise reading newspaper or manga

The residence of Kyoto are almost too classy. They are outstandingly friendly they go out of their way to do nice things for non locals. In Japan more then anywhere I've been prople are willing to help you. I was told what direction to go many times and went the wrong was and people behind the ticket booth would come running after me and tell me where to go! Almost anywhere else people would have just watched you go the wrong way.

Pichino is a popular game in Japan it is a casino style game played with small metal balls. The more balls you get the better things you get when you win. It is illegal in Japan to gamble for money but many pichinko players do it under the table.