Matcha Parfait!

This stuff is amazing....it's like a drug! I had this at a famous Matcha cafe in the back streets near Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. If anyone comes to visit me, I will be taking you there!
It's green tea whipped cream, cake, ice-cream, dango (rice balls) and a piece of mandarin to boot! SOOO GOOD!
I can predict serious matcha withdrawals when i return to Oz. I know you can buy it back home but so many products here come in green tea flavour! I have a ready supply of matcha ice-cream in my fridge here haha! Addicted? I think yes!

Shiga-ken adventures!

Last weekend, I headed to Shiga-ken, about 2 1/2 hours north of Kyoto. It's near this HUGE lake (the largest lake in Japan in fact) Lake Biwa. Didn't get to have a dip (unlike my swim in Arashiyama river last week) but we had fun at our log cabin in the hills! I went with my friend Ritsuko, boyfriend Nori and 5 of her friends. Listened to a lot of Japanese and tried to speak it when i understood what people were talking about haha! Sometimes it was a guessing game! Had a delicious BBQ, I ate tongue! I know I know...gross! But it was actually very yummy, esp with lemon juice. Mmm! I also was elected head chef to make Yakisoba, it rocked! (it was preprepared for me so I just had to toss it around haha!) Had plenty of Asahi beer and Umeshuu on the Rocks mmm!

Sorry it's close!

I'm about to take my washing up to the rooftop but wanted to fit in an update...before I disappoint you all! (If you're still reading that is...)
I had a good laugh last night at this sign outside of Asahi beer cafe.

Kept the good times rolling by heading to a reggae bar which looked more like Arabian Nights with a ceiling consisting of cushions! Had some Umeshu and lots of laughs with my French flatmate and a couple of her friends. Rode home at 1am, it took 30mins, that's Japan for you...the safest place on earth!
Oh...here are some photos from Kobe, where I visited Shiho! We had a delicious Korean cold ramen soup, oishii!

Erin sensei signing out til next time...

Koyasan...what a magical place!

I've just touched home base after 2 days in another world....the mountains of Koyasan! 
After a bus, 3 trains, a cable car and another bus, I made it to Shojoshin temple accommodation. You normally need an advance reservation but i worked my Japanese and scored a room! The reason for heading up to such an amazing place? To meet up with two guys both named Tim from OZ who are filming a travel show. They needed a hand with some translation so I did my bestest! The temple was situated next to a huge cemetery, it went for 1.6km!!! And the HUGE cedar trees blew my mind. Koyasan is home to the Shingon Buddhism introduced to Japan in the 9th Century. Such a spiritual zen like place and totally relaxing!
We enjoyed Shojin-Ryori, vegetarian feasts for both dinner and breakfast. And surprise surprise i made the early start (6am) for morning prayer. A must see, I can't recommend this place enough!