Karaoke (+pics)

Back in Kyoto, this would be Tuesday, the 18th of July (jeeze I need to update sooner), I went out with three french folk (one serving as tour guide because she'd been there before) and a lady from Indonesia. Hit up Tenryu-ji and Daikaku-ji, both being rather nice temples, the first with a fatastic garden (that I believe made it in the last photo UL). It was, however, extremely rainy, and not much fun on that regard, but by taking busses and limiting the amount of time we were acutally in it and instead inside a temple, it was sufferable. Vacation is hard, isn't it.

Back at the Uno House it was time for a Sento. Instead of getting to the onsen that was way on the other side of town, there was a smaller, but still quite nice one about a block from the hostel. Far more convenient. Several heavily tatooed japanese--I hear tell only the Yakuza really tend to get that. Got some internet as well.

Back at the hostel, however, the small group dining and social space was hoppin'. There was an older gentlemen, Miamoto-san I believe, who was keeping the social atmosphere going, not that that was generally a problem on the whole, and eventually got us into a small singing contest (I believe encouraged by one of the ladies from Germany) and to have a cup-drawn raffle for who should sing a song at the table. Did I mention some beers were involved? Fun time--the old guy realy likes to sing. When the house-crew finally shut us down at midnight, Miamoto-san suggested we go chat outside instead, where he proceeded to lead the lot of us down several alleys of Kyoto till finally finding a Karaoke bar to have us all pile into.

Thus was the first instance of what we later came to call Miamoto's Eleven.

I have now discovered why it is that the Japanese like Karaoke bars so much--they actually do it right. The space is much cosier and designed for keeping the group together. Everybody sings, not just those with the mic, and even if you don't know the tune (i.e. most japanese songs for me--which, alternatively, is probably the most enjoyable way to learn to read japanese) you hum along. The energy of the people is involved and far more centered than any karaoke experience previously, and they're all there to have a good time (with the music), which usually doesn't happen with the American style karaoke bars (since its more bar-centric I would say). The music selection for english songs was actually pretty sparse compared to the japanese songs, but with a healthy mix of both it was not hard to manage. Oddly enough, I found myself exceling at Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid (I can fake a good Sebastian rasta accent). Go figure.

We got out of there, to the pouring rain of dawn.

Went back and slept a bit at the hostel. Tried to get up earlier to catch some more groups for sightseeing, but the house has a day-close policy and everyone else had gone. Got myself a bike (which was by far the best idea for sightseeing yet) and took myself around to Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji temples. The latter was quite nice, and that's where I found the nice forested walk up the mountain (see photos and waterfall steps). Took a respite from the touristy places and a nice forsest hike, meditated a bit near a little cave up the mountain face as well. Looked a bit like a mountain hermitage spot, though only for meditation.

Back down the mountain, the temples were closed so I went around to find the philosopher's trail near by (something the guide mentioned was interesting) and in the process found a small temple or shrine or something devoted to, presumably deceased, animals and pets. Hence the hampster and cat statuary. The path itself was not much, a little path near the water viaduct, but I eventually lost it along with another tourist. Biked back home, caught some more conversation, and on to bed with some continued sleep deprivation from the Karaoke. This was also the one day it didn't rain since I got to Kyoto. A perfect day for sightseeing.

Thursday then was spent milling around with the two nice ladies from Germany (with blog) and a guy from Holland who were heading out the next day. This day turned out to be rainy as well, so some video games were in order. It actually took some time to find a place that actually had a DDR station, but we got that in, along with the guitar rockstar, taiko drumming game, and some mario cart extreme. Fun times. The drum set game (not taiko, not tried--way way too hard) is by far the most impressive though; one quite literally has to be very good at drumming already to be able to keep up with the game.

Got some time at a manga kissa. These are, by far, my second most favorite thing about Japan so far. They'd win out if they weren't so expensive, but you do get quite a lot as well. Internet and computer access, unlimited drinks (matcha latte is the best, and the corn juice is, well... interesting--all matter of carbonated sodas, coffee, and tea drinks, milk variations, hot and cold, most have slushies), PS2, games and movies to rent included (alas, most without english subtitles that aren't already american language movies), and most have showers and abilities to stay the night and be fairy comfy... oh, and manga as far as the eye can see... which I still can't read, alas. I updated the blog and applied for some jobs. Sending the resume out wherever it'll go.

Hung out for most of the rest of the evening, the group having planned on getting out to more Karaoke to see the folks off. Interacted with some dorm mates, a couple of highschoolers who didn't know much english, but nonetheless wanted to have their picture taken with me. Nice guys.

And then the return of Miyamoto's Eleven.

Soon, there will be photos of much repute... or something. But, as I have left the CD of archived photos in my other bag, you'll have to wait to see Cthulhu doing Karoke and eating pocky. Found out I'm also good at Bridge Over Troubled Water, at least, I think. Could've been worse. Good things to know.

Pictures!
Yes... *that* would be Miamoto-san.
Pocky... almost as tasty as devouring the world...
Cthulhu on the mic

Okay, so most of the other photos for Karaoke turned out poorly due to the darkness of the venue. But, ya get the idea.