Day 2: Guided Tour Through Yokohama/Bullet Train to Kyoto

So...day two started off at 8:00 with a nice, hearty breakfast in our hotel before we had to leave and go on a guided tour through Yokohama. We had to pack our bags because we were checking out and heading over to a new hotel located in Kyoto. Our first stop on the tour was in the Yokohama Station. The architecture and designs on the walls were very nice. We could only go up on escalators and down on stairs. Also, for the escalators, we had to stand on the left. Next, we walked by the former Yokohama Silk Conditioning House where they inspected silk, which was Japan's main export. In the city, there was a lot of construction going on, and the Japanese drive on the left side of the street. Next, we walked by the NYK Maritime Museum where they exported about 6,000 seamen to war. After, we went to the Yokohama Archives of History where we learned about the British/Japanese War of 1862, Marco Polo, the British Embassy, and Commodore M.C. Perry. Perry was an admiral U.S. Navy who came to Yokohama to open Japan up to the West. Japan had a high speed railway transportation, and they helped other countries build the same system. We also saw Japan's First Street Fountain and Bluff Gutter. Then, we saw the Tomakusu Tree Monument, which was the last sign of history existing to represent the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Amity of 1854. We went to the court opening space with a fountain. We also noticed that the advertisements in Japan have people smiling in them, unlike in America. Finally, we went to Yokohama Chinatown that was full of the color red. In Chinatown, we went to the outside of a shrine (place of worship) with beautiful dragons and designs because we could not go inside. After that, we went back to the hotel by bus. We went to Cafe Crie to eat and chilled at Starbucks, where we took model photos. YESSS...WE ARE MODELS IN TRAINING! Then, we went on the Bullet Train to go to Kyoto. The Bullet Train was extremely punctual arriving exactly at the time stated. The ride was about 2 hours. We had comfortable, reserved seats. The ride was fast and smooth. Many people went to sleep. I wanted to sleep however, I couldn't because of one person. MAXWELL! Anyways, once we arrived in Kyoto, we took a break in our new hotel that I consider to be nicer than the first one. Then, we went down to the mall where we got to choose what restaurants we wanted to eat at. Dionne and I ate seafood pilaf, a chocolate parfait, and strawberry cheesecake at Lipton. Our food was delicious. We had very quick service too. We also went shopping where I got a sundress and sunglasses. Finally, we made it back to the hotel where I am sitting at the computer typing this blog. So I have to say today was a very emotional, yet productive day.