Oasis

On my way to the Ryokan Yuhara I passed Pontocho and other narrow streets of Gion, home to traditional teahouses (ochaya) and Geisha entertainment. As ist was early in the evening it was still quiet apart from vans delivering linen and other goods.
Back in Shimogyo-ku I met the owner of the inn and her son sweeping the lane and chatting away with a neighbour.
The situation of Ryokan Yuhara is idyllic, a rural oasis in the heart of a city of a population of nearly 1,5 Million. The only sounds I noticed were occasionaly the mewing of cats and the chirping of a cricket, a late straggler of summer.
I settled in and took my first Japanese bath and all the stress of the day was washed away...