Kimono My Tea Ceremony

We arrive in Kyoto and check into the massive Hotel Granvia, that is above the train station. We have already been given tickets to a Tea Ceremony in a Machiya, which is a restored wooden townhouse. The location is slightly off the beaten track, along a narrow lane in a quiet part of the city. We arrive and are part of a very small group. We all have to be attired in a formal Kimono and that meant being dressed by the staff; the clothes are very heavy and stiff; the challenge was walking and I now know why wearers of this fabric take very short steps as it's impossible to take a step greater than 6 inches! We are given a demonstration of how tea should be formally served; it was all very elaborate, but quite mesmerising and enchanting. After that, we had a go at making a book mark using origami. Then finally, a few pictures in our Kimonos, before derobing (thankfully).

In the evening, we found a great French restuarant that was close by the Tea House, run by a Japanese 'husband and wife' team who clearly loved all things French. Excellent food and wine - we spent a great 2+ hours there before walking back down by the river through both a very lively nightclub area and then a quieter part where red lanterns lined the streets. No geishas here, but we will try and spot one tomorrow.