We caught the bus to the textile area of Kyoto. Operetta and Clawdeen came too. We went to the Nishijin Textile Centre and saw the very complex old brocade looms. There was a kimono fashion parade. Clawdeen and Operetta thought it was fangtastic.

We hunted around the back streets for Aizenkobo, a third generation indigo workshop. The wife showed us into their 150 year old house and workshop. They dye the fibres by the traditional fermentation method before the fibres are woven. It has to be dipped many times. The colour is luminous. The husband came out and talked to us too. He had a jacket on he had been wearing for 30 years! They were very kind and gave us directions to good places to eat.

We caught the bus to the Nijo Castle but it was cold and late and crowded so we decided to walk down two blocks to the Sanjo Arcade. We found a groovy cafe. Laxmi was so happy about her hot chocolate and chocolate cake. She took a photo of them.

We wandered around the arcade. We found a place selling second hand kimonos. Varsha spent her birthday money on a kimono for herself and Laxmi.

We caught a bus to one of the places we were recommended for pork dinner. The food was really good.

When we got home we were late and our feet were tired but Laxmi and Varsha just had to put on a fashion parade with their new kimonos.