{"id":13712,"date":"2024-08-04T12:30:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-04T18:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eaumaison.us\/?p=13712"},"modified":"2024-08-04T12:30:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T18:30:34","slug":"japan-day-8-otsu-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eaumaison.us\/index.php\/2024\/08\/04\/japan-day-8-otsu-kyoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Day 8 – Otsu, Kyoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our last full day in Japan! Ben woke up early to visit Lake Biwa and the town of Otsu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He came back to our room to meet me, and together we took a train to Nij\u014d Castle. I was in the mood to read some placards and learn some history! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unlike Osaka Castle, this site has mostly original or replica interiors, along with the famous nightingale floors. Pictures inside were forbidden. I was dismayed that the museum holding the original murals were closed. But the replicas in the castle were beautiful, and the woodwork and metalworks gorgeous. The gardens were beautiful too, but you were not allowed to walk through the paths and bridges. I’m glad we went to Shosei-en garden earlier, where we could wander all over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moat with carp. Tourists were feeding them from a fish pellet vending machine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vending refreshments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The garden had great trees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Closed!? Boo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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For lunch we found local restaurant. The food was meh, but the casual, non-tourist vibes were strong and Ben loved that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I did a little research the night before and found that the best place for official k-pop merch is in the Book-Off used bookseller stores. I wanted to try to get a lightstick or towel or any other sort of merch without paying the high taxes and import shipping. There were three Book-Offs within a reasonable range of our hotel and I tried all three! Ben joined me for two, and admired some video game stuff too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crazy Pokemon card prices!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Not as expensive, but these k-pop photocards are also pricey!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Between shops we took a detour to cross the Kamo River Turtle Stepping Stones. I didn’t know they were supposed to be turtles! Erosion has worn away any detail. We had seen this crossing in a J-drama and it was a cute place to take pics. I’m glad Ben pulled us aside! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Book-Off near the main retail district had the best selection. I bought the Seventeen mini-fan from their Japan dome tour earlier this spring. I had been wanting a hand fan as well, so double win! The staff member was very helpful when I asked if they could show it worked (it did, was fully charged and had original packaging too). She asked me my bias (S. Coups at the moment) and said hers is The8! We used the translation app share our SVT love and I expressed my excitement as finding k-pop stuff, since it’s so hard to find in Colorado. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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