Gabe should really translate the kanji on Fertility Luck bells BEFORE I ring them.
Gabe should really translate the kanji on Fertility Luck bells BEFORE I ring them.
A steep staircase, and the ever-existing battle of whether or not I should leave pretty pictures in even if I can't think of anything funny to say about them.
A steep staircase, and the ever-existing battle of whether or not I should leave pretty pictures in even if I can't think of anything funny to say about them.
These temples really like you to have clean hands. I like a religion that's as OCD as I am.
These temples really like you to have clean hands. I like a religion that's as OCD as I am.
Dog in a backpack!
Dog in a backpack!
Alaina waves goodbye to her deer friends.
Alaina waves goodbye to her deer friends.
The best tour guides just start making stuff up, as everything starts to look the same.
The best tour guides just start making stuff up, as everything starts to look the same.
This deer is trained to snatch the wallets out of unsuspecting tourists' back pockets.
This deer is trained to snatch the wallets out of unsuspecting tourists' back pockets.
Some turtles bathing by some radioactive goo. Wait a second!
Some turtles bathing by some radioactive goo. Wait a second!
We met up with Alaina's fiancee, Andrew the New Zealand rugby player who also dabbles in Brazilian Jujitsu mixed martial arts. I tried to tackle him. I failed.
We met up with Alaina's fiancee, Andrew the New Zealand rugby player who also dabbles in Brazilian Jujitsu mixed martial arts. I tried to tackle him. I failed.
Impressed with our American thug culture, the NZers asked us to flash some gang signs. Jamie flashed a "K" for Kofu (where she lives here in Japan), and I spelled LA. Backwards.
Impressed with our American thug culture, the NZers asked us to flash some gang signs. Jamie flashed a "K" for Kofu (where she lives here in Japan), and I spelled LA. Backwards.
Marty teaches us how to say "up in this bitch" in Japanese. Konno bichi niwa biru ga arimasu ka?
Marty teaches us how to say "up in this bitch" in Japanese. Konno bichi niwa biru ga arimasu ka?
Some people were visiting from America and England, and hadn't yet been brainwashed into flashing the peace sign for literally every picture ever. They take away your visa if you don't.
Some people were visiting from America and England, and hadn't yet been brainwashed into flashing the peace sign for literally every picture ever. They take away your visa if you don't.
Rocking out with other English teachers is the only way to rock out.
Rocking out with other English teachers is the only way to rock out.
The happy couple. They just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich.
The happy couple. They just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich.
Welp, it's 2:00 AM, and the next train's not till 5:00. Let's singing karaoke!
Welp, it's 2:00 AM, and the next train's not till 5:00. Let's singing karaoke!
Jay is touched by the NZ power couple's romantic rendition of Rage's "Bulls on Parade."
Jay is touched by the NZ power couple's romantic rendition of Rage's "Bulls on Parade."
Andrew and I discuss how to best enjoy a warm spot of tea on a cold November's night.
Andrew and I discuss how to best enjoy a warm spot of tea on a cold November's night.
And then he tries to crush me using only the muscles in his fingers.
And then he tries to crush me using only the muscles in his fingers.
I rap Spice Girls with British people so they can make fun of my fake British accent.
I rap Spice Girls with British people so they can make fun of my fake British accent.
Recovering with some tea and scones in a cute cafe the next day.
Recovering with some tea and scones in a cute cafe the next day.
A hilarious and possibly offensive poster from said cafe.
A hilarious and possibly offensive poster from said cafe.
And I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew), Vacations make me happy (happy, happy!)
And I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew), Vacations make me happy (happy, happy!)
Shortly after eating at the cafe...we ate again! At a really cool Vietnamese place.
Shortly after eating at the cafe...we ate again! At a really cool Vietnamese place.
Where they built little canopy buckets for our egg rolls and gave them hats.
Where they built little canopy buckets for our egg rolls and gave them hats.
Leaving our cute, little hotel in Kyoto for the last time.
Leaving our cute, little hotel in Kyoto for the last time.
Kinkaku-ji, The Golden Pavilion. It really looks this awesome.
Kinkaku-ji, The Golden Pavilion. It really looks this awesome.
I'm not the only one who does funny poses for pictures! Get a load of this crow!
I'm not the only one who does funny poses for pictures! Get a load of this crow!
Coy Koi.
Coy Koi.
Some water. falling.
Some water. falling.
I threw a coin at these rocks because everyone else was doing it. 
I threw a coin at these rocks because everyone else was doing it. 
A tranquil lake with a shrine duck somewhere.
A tranquil lake with a shrine duck somewhere.
Gabe prays for us all, even if people call him a Religion Pigeon. I don't though, because I dislike cockney rhyming slang.
Gabe prays for us all, even if people call him a Religion Pigeon. I don't though, because I dislike cockney rhyming slang.
Gabe rings my be-e-ell, rings my bell.
Gabe rings my be-e-ell, rings my bell.
Kevin jokes with the cab driver in Japanese about baseball on his high-tech car TV. The cab driver doesn't get it.
Kevin jokes with the cab driver in Japanese about baseball on his high-tech car TV. The cab driver doesn't get it.
A terrifying bird with a brown cheek is following Gabe all over Japan, terrorizing him.
A terrifying bird with a brown cheek is following Gabe all over Japan, terrorizing him.
Me, Jamie, and some dragon fish in Himeji.
Me, Jamie, and some dragon fish in Himeji.
Himeji Castle in the distance.
Himeji Castle in the distance.
The bridge and the castle entrance.
The bridge and the castle entrance.
In Japan, you're not supposed to smile for pictures.
In Japan, you're not supposed to smile for pictures.
Oh, but we can't keep it in for long!
Oh, but we can't keep it in for long!
Wait, so starve a fever, feed a cold, walk a pulled hamstring up miles and miles of endless staircases. Gotcha.
Wait, so starve a fever, feed a cold, walk a pulled hamstring up miles and miles of endless staircases. Gotcha.
Looking out the north windows to Himeji and probably Kobe.
Looking out the north windows to Himeji and probably Kobe.
Bars on the windows to shoot arrows at our enemies. Ooh, or shurikens!
Bars on the windows to shoot arrows at our enemies. Ooh, or shurikens!
Ancient Samurai Gear with Ye Olde Lens Flare.
Ancient Samurai Gear with Ye Olde Lens Flare.
Just in case the other tourists get rowdy.
Just in case the other tourists get rowdy.
No scribbles!
No scribbles!
A view to the west.
A view to the west.
A view to the east. I'm just assuming from the position of the sun. I know directions like I know rocket surgery.
A view to the east. I'm just assuming from the position of the sun. I know directions like I know rocket surgery.
A fish or something at the very tip top.
A fish or something at the very tip top.
Gabe pretends to be the castle vizier, and I am the princess.
Gabe pretends to be the castle vizier, and I am the princess.
Later that night, we hit downtown Kobe, and my friends roll their eyes at me as I snicker at the Shight seeing bus.
Later that night, we hit downtown Kobe, and my friends roll their eyes at me as I snicker at the Shight seeing bus.
A chef cooks us Kobe beef. How cool are we? Also, can I borrow some money?
A chef cooks us Kobe beef. How cool are we? Also, can I borrow some money?
The chef's mother feeds a Japanese patron some raw meat to see how he reacts. Can I get a health inspector konno bichi niwa?
The chef's mother feeds a Japanese patron some raw meat to see how he reacts. Can I get a health inspector konno bichi niwa?
The chef and his mother neglect to smile in a picture with us. Cheezu!
The chef and his mother neglect to smile in a picture with us. Cheezu!
Hm, I wonder where the entrance to Chinatown is in this otherwise drab grey-and-white cityscape?
Hm, I wonder where the entrance to Chinatown is in this otherwise drab grey-and-white cityscape?
Ooh, ooh! I can read the first kanji there! It says "gate"! This information was helpful to no one.
Ooh, ooh! I can read the first kanji there! It says "gate"! This information was helpful to no one.
So full of life, this city.
So full of life, this city.
Kevin fakes a smile for one...last...temple. Can we do it? Yes, we can!
Kevin fakes a smile for one...last...temple. Can we do it? Yes, we can!
This is Sanjusangendo Temple. It has a lot of famous golden buddhas that I wasn't allowed to take a picture of.
This is Sanjusangendo Temple. It has a lot of famous golden buddhas that I wasn't allowed to take a picture of.
Gabe walking quietly amid the foliage.
Gabe walking quietly amid the foliage.
I don't know why they always have these shrines up on tiny pedestals. I keep thinking some woodland critters are going to sneak in any minute and perform a play up there.
I don't know why they always have these shrines up on tiny pedestals. I keep thinking some woodland critters are going to sneak in any minute and perform a play up there.
So...no Southern Baptists is what you're tellin' me?
So...no Southern Baptists is what you're tellin' me?
We passed each of these people on the streets of Kyoto.
We passed each of these people on the streets of Kyoto.
Ah, the cartoon wanted poster, wherein the cartoons are wearing sunglasses and facemasks should be very effective. Engage!
Ah, the cartoon wanted poster, wherein the cartoons are wearing sunglasses and facemasks should be very effective. Engage!
Wasting time before the night bus back. You're only exhausted if you had a super awesome trip! Go team!
Wasting time before the night bus back. You're only exhausted if you had a super awesome trip! Go team!