Today was a bit of an easy day and a much needed rest day. It’s pretty cold here in Kyoto, much colder than Tokyo!

We are heading out to the Bamboo Forrest today, it’s a massive Forrest completely filled with bamboo trees (kinda exactly how it sounds ha) & it was lovely. The sun shining through the trees and the amount of green all around us was really refreshing. We made our way through the forest into a Japanese garden which was just as lovely.

Next stop, Monkey Park. I was a bit skeptical although excited for this one as the monkeys we saw in Bali were little menaces, stealing peoples items from them all the time. I was advised at the gate however that these Monkeys are nice & our items won’t be stolen as long as we don’t point our phones directly at them for a long period of time.

It was a bit of a hike up the mountain to get to the top but well worth it once we eventually got there. Thousands of monkeys were here, fully grown adults and babies alike all around & freely roaming the park. They were climbing up and down the mountains, chasing each other, swinging from the roof and walking around everyone’s feet they were so close!

We very quickly determined who “the boss” of the park was. Mr Chief was walking around beating all the Monkeys up trying to keep them in line, so rude but I get it...circle of life and all that.

After spending an hour or so at the monkey park we made our way slowly back down the mountain with some of the monkeys walking down with us - it was honestly amazing to see & experience.

After heading back to our hotel we desperately needed to get some laundry done. It was freezing cold but we are running out of clothing very quickly & were informed this morning of a laundromat down the road so that’s where we are headed. I was absolutely knackered by this stage & ended up falling asleep in the laundromat whilst waiting an hour for our clothes to finish - getting some kip wherever I can!

We ate dinner at a restaurant in the mall next door to our hotel so it was nice & easy & again was lovely food. We’ve been really impressed with the food over here so far, although a tad reluctant & worried we wouldn’t like anything the food has surprisingly been great!

Mum & I browsed the shops a bit after dinner and I purchased a jumper (or sweater as they call it over here) to keep me a bit warmer over the coming days. Tomorrow is an early start as we’re off to Hiroshima & Rabbit Island, booked on the 8.30 train. I’m excited to see what both are all about. Good night x