There were so many shrines such as this in Kyoto, as well as many other sights. However, we arrived in Kyoto a little late, and at 5pm all the tourist spots close. I definitely have to come back again before I leave.  

Yours truly plus two in front of a Buddhist temple near Kiyomizu. 

We caught those two Geishas and forced them to take a group photo with us. They were so angry that they took my cap off and ripped it to shreads. What? Oh, I'm holding it? Okay I lied, but I bet they're still badass. 

After being in Osaka for over 2 weeks, it was really nice to see so much greenery.  

I spotted two Geishas, and they tried to flee before I had the chance to take a tourist shot of them. I guess those Kimonos are tough to run in, eh ladies? 

All of us in the same garden. I still can't get over how great it was. The garden, not the tea. Although the tea was pretty good, too. 

Traditional Japanese tea houses and restaurants are great and all, but I'll never get used to sitting on the floor while I eat/drink. My legs fell asleep after a full 2 minutes. My Japanese friends watched in amusement as I constantly shifted my legs around and, at one point, nearly knocking the table over. Whatever. Nice pic, eh? 

Squatting on a tiny bridge in a beautiful garden in Kyoto. This garden was actually the waiting area for one of the coffee shops. For once I actually enjoyed waiting for a table.

Masaki, Kayo, and I standing in front of one of Kyoto's 1600 Buddhist temples. It was scorching hot that day, and for some reason the Japanese don't like wearing shorts. Fine, be all hot and sweaty. 

Yours truly standing in harms way on one of Kyoto's beautiful streets unaffected by WW2. Behind me you can see some chicks wearing traditional Yukatas. Masaki informed me of the Yuakata's power, which apparently has the ability to turn ugly girls into cute ones when worn. I don't think it works for non-Japanese chicks. Sorry, girls. 

Kayo and I on the same bridge overlooking the "famous" river. They couldn't give me a clear reason why the river was so famous, so I'll have to look it up on my own. Sorry Kayo and Masaki, I mistook you for being, um, Japanese. 

Masaki and I in front of a "famous" river in Kyoto. Why the quotes? It has nothing to do with sarcasm, I just like using them, alright? 

A view from the ferris wheel at Doutonbori in Nanba. Ferris wheels in large cities seem to be pretty popular in Japan. A ferris wheel in the middle of Manhattan would be pretty damn weird though. Let's leave the weird things to the one country that can get away with it: Japan. 

Rather than wandering into a Yakuza hideout and telling them how weak and gay they are, you can get your face cut here for as little as 1000 yen.

Ruriko in her own cubicle at an Internet Cafe in Shinsaibashi. These things are very popular around here, and not a surprise at all. Since the trains stop operating at 12am, sometimes you need a place where you can hang out for a few hours until they begin operating again around 5am. From this massager chair, you can surf the web, watch TV or DVDs, order food and drinks, and sleep of course. A lazy ass' dream.