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The Face House A nice bit of weirdness to balance the Serene/subdued/historical city.

Apparently it was very much disliked because it didn’t fit the local “character” but now it draws many visitors

We’re on rented e-bikes today. It’s a bit more challenging to navigate with more bike-prohibited zones, requirements to park in designated areas and no Google Maps support for bikes. Still a nice little experience but highlights how I depend on Google

Shade magnet Aka Shadows are good sometimes

Back here again. Can’t get enough of this little greenway.

Kyoto Beer Lab ftw

Some types of cooking need gas

Kyoto tofu

Vertical cedar slats. Our work has always been influenced by this flavor of Japanese design. So much clear cedar, but no knots to be seen.

Here I am at another UNESCO site just thinking about gutters and downspouts

Not a lot of permeable area here so I was curious to see how the storm water was managed. Some houses discharge to the street. I assume the storm water flows to the river.

The bamboo grove was actually very nice despite the crowd. After a year in Bali I thought bamboo would be passé but this is curated bamboo - akin to the bonsai of bamboo groves.

Car hoods you can actually see over. Not quite the same wannabe-alpha-bro beast machine vibes you get with North American trucks and suvs.

Two more breweries to round out a rainy day. (No zoning dedicated parking for either… I’m curious what the license process is like by comp to Vancouver)

There is a hierarchy of small streets and alleys, but they all seem to have ~2:1 building height to right of way width ratio.

Sharrows on arterials suck in every country

Stepping stones, crossing the forked joining of two rivers

A great public space magnet for all ages. (Moments before the hat blew away …And was rescued by a committed girl wading nearby)

Vignettes from the imperial palace. Old buildings that were built (and rebuilt) in the style of much older buildings.

Last night in Japan. A tiny bar with a steep stair and whiskey from a brown jug. They have guide books for/by visitors from each country and you’re required to put your favourite experiences in.

Garage with a zen garden on the roof. Pretty sure this wouldn’t be allowed in vancouver.

Tokyo single family burbs (Yawata) where 8 storey single stair flats start to be outnumbered by 2 to 3 storey detached - but densely nested - homes.

Interesting / sad anecdote. Our Japanese bartender last night asked, in broken English, if it was true that Vancouver was full of “zombies” Took a minute to realize he was acting out the Fent-Bent denizens of the DTES. I guess this is our international reputation now.