Suggestions for Kyoto and Nara

[Faded]

J-Lady and I are heading to Kyoto this weekend, her 2nd time and my 1st. Looking for suggestions on sites to see and good bars to hit. We are going to check out some of the standard tourist places, but I like more out of the way less known things, and good photography spots, while she, like a good j-girl, is looking for shopping.

Also if you know of anything good going on in Tokyo next week, would be glad to hear it. Was disappointed to find out Marshmallow Spike wasn:t playing, but always up for anything.

Thanks in advance (even for the bullshit suggestions)

[gomichild]

sorry mate - we are drummer-hunting right now...

[Faded]

Not a prob, always will be another chance I:m sure. Was wondering why you didn`t have anymore dates listed after October. Glad you had the Samples on your website though.

Hang in there, futures only a beat away.

[Mulboyne]

Which dates next week? Including the weekend?
Hope of the States are playing Quattro in Tokyo on the 24th Nov.
Franz Ferdinand are at the Liquid Room Ebisu the same night and Yokohama Blitz on the 25th
Electraglide (Prodigy. !!!, Tim Deluxe etc) is an all-nighter on the 26th.
Incognito are at the Blue Note on the 22nd-27th
Also here, The Used, Brian Setzer, Hanson.
Japanese acts playing include Glay, Nicotine, The Boom and Hiromi Uehara

Pia Magazine has changed its damn format and now only gives 10 day listings and details of new ticket sales for later in the year. However, the new one is out tomorrow and that will have all the details for next week.

[Faded]

much obliged Mulboyne. I`m here(in tokyo) all next week ("try the fish"). May check out Nicotine and Glay, thanks for the info. Have to see what nights I have scheduled with the J-lady`s gal pals (always the best entertainment.) Will keep an eye out on the bands. Thanks again

[Mulboyne]

Notable Japanese bands playing next week:
22nd: Glay, Globe (Omiya), High-Lows, Elephant Kashimashi
23rd: Original Love, "Japan Ska Festival", Bloodthirsty Butchers, Pierrot
24th: Tube, Pink Lady, Hiromi Uehara, "Thanks Punks" (feat. Nicotine)
25th: Tube, High-Lows, The Alfee, "Set You Free" (feat. King Brothers)
26th: Electraglide Festival, Pierrot, Begin

But the top prize is on Saturday
27th - Guitar Wolf

If you decide you want to see The Alfee, make arrangements to leave Japan at the earliest oportunity.

[kurohinge1]

... Looking for suggestions on sites to see ...
We are going to check out some of the standard tourist places, but I like more out of the way less known things, and good photography spots ...

Besides the usual temples and shrines, I'd leave some time to explore the train station (sounds funny, I know) - it's one of the most impressive I've seen. There's also some viewing platforms at the top.



And in Nara, it's almost compulsory to harass the local fauna with the wafer-thin biscuits (sembei) you can buy in the shops ... they're deer biscuits but cheap.

[Faded]

Thanks Kurohinge, the trainstation definitely looks like something I`d like to take some shots of, and the observation platfrom sounds interesting.

We were told about the deer tonight by some else as well, and the lady might be interested in it. For me though, There a plenty of deer in the park near my house for me to see (and chase with my dog) and once you bounce one off the front of your car (and smashing in the front end), they tend to lose their cuteness. We`ll check it out though, and I`ll be sure that she gives them the bisquits right away (as I heard they can be quite aggressive and will bite if you tease them a little).

Thanks again for the suggestions.

And I`ll be checking into some of those shows Mulboyne, especially Guitar Wolf, will let you know if I make any.

[Big Booger]

Rickshaws are to be had in Nara. You can ride them for about 8000 yen per hour. When you see the deer, you'll see the rickshaws.

Of the temples in Nara, I like Horyuji the best:

http://www.horyuji.or.jp/horyuji_e.htm

It's the oldest wooden temple in Japan. It's simple and not that showy. The wooden structures are impressive.

As for Kyoto, there's some nice restaurants and things near the Hozu river. If you get into Kyoto early you can even take a boat ride down the river. You have two oarsment who push with long poles on the river bottom, a boatload of people. If I recall correctly we left at 8:30 and finished at about 10:00. And about midway another boat docks with you and offers you a mid-morning munchy.

About the boat ride:

http://www.planetkyoto.com/nils/archives/000273.html

Something out of the ordinary to do while in Kyoto.