A quick 300 mile bullet train journey north to Kyoto this morning and the air was definitely fresher here than in Hiroshima. Our first trip was to Sagano for a stroll along the "Bamboo Walk",a path through a plantation of tall bamboo which made quite a threatening creaking noise as they swayed in the wind.After a typical rice/noodle lunch we tried the green tea ice cream,not a great success. The cone was deposited in a public loo bin where we were impressed by the umbrella holders and child restraints. Next was a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine which has an imposing gate and a tunnel of smaller gates running through the trees all in glorious orange and black. As dusk fell we retreated to Gion one of the major geisha areas,full of interesting old buildings and were fortunate to see one arrive by taxi. Dinner was in a local BBQ bar where every dish/drink was the same price and very good value (9 a head including 2 beers).