More of downtown Kyoto

Some more views from the downtown Kyoto area, nearby the kyoto train station. We didn't get to go up kyoto tower or see it up close, but it reminded me of the Seattle space needle. Also, my friend and i stopped in here, while walking around the Kyoto area to get some lunch. I don't know the name of the place, since i cannot read Japanese, but it was very good. We ordered Curry and Udon noodles to eat, and it came out to less than 900 yen per person, which was a good price. Also, a picture taken with me and my friend at the ramen shop. Just wished they had a ramen shop like this in the states, but no such luck here. The food in Japan is so much better, how can i explain it to others that have never been to Japan. Only thing i can say is, you have to come visit and see for yourself. Anything from Onigiri at Lawson, to Shabu Shabu at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, to Curry and Udon at this ramen shop, the food of Japan simply could not be compared. And some pictures from night time views of Kyoto tower again, and the Gion District. Next, some pictures at night at the Yasaka Shrine nearby the Gion District. We visited the Yasaka Shrine first before heading down to the Gion District area. The Shrine had a lot of lanterns and temples, it was interesting to view at night. The lights at night were so pretty and it actually covered a big area. We took quite a few pictures while browsing the area. In the Gion District, while walking down the street, I actually got a view of a Maiko with some other people, but I couldn't get a clear photograph of the Maiko from across the street at night. I was with my friend walking towards the main area of the Gion District, when i saw the Maiko. It was a view that i told my friends and family, a rare sight to see one. Too bad it wasn't closer with a better view. The Gion District was almost like any other ordinary downtown area in Kyoto, but off the map, it was more on the eastern side of the map. We had to take some buses to get to the Yasaka Shrine and Gion District. I would say it was a 20 minute bus ride from the Kyoto train station. The budget ryokan we stayed at in Kyoto was about a 7 to 8 minute walk from the Kyoto Station.