**I am a bit behind on posting!! School started back in action this week and it's been busy with the new schedule. But, I finally have time to sit down and write about our first full day in Kyoto!!**

On our first full day in Kyoto, we woke up early to hit up ARASHIYAMA...and I was so stoked to go since I had never been before!

Hunter was really intrigued by this man selling balancing dragonflies and I almost bought him one until I saw it was 20 dollars!!

For those who don't remember...Tayah Ruth was born last August at the exact moment that I was on a plane back to Japan! That is no joke! She made a very memorable entrance into the world and I was so excited to spend as much time with her as possible in Japan. She is the chubbiest, happiest, chillest baby ever!!

Arashiyama was so epic!! Despite the crowds, we were able to get some good pics...and even one of all the kids "standing" (stac is holding Tayah up LOL).

After cruising the bamboo forest, we went on a little walk over to see some monkeys! The kids were super stoked about that.

Eden!!! This girl has the biggest personality and willingly poses for all my pics...I love her sassiness and confidence at such a young age haha!

When we turned the corner to see KATSURA river I was in absolute awe. STUNNING.

Hunter is 6 now...and he's growing up so fast! I love his personality and curiosity about everything. Every time we would get on the train he would say "how long is this one? how many minutes are we on here?" He is currently obsessed with NBA players and teams which proves he is a true Komae! haha.

I love these boys.

So...we paid a few bucks and walked 30 minutes up to see the monkeys on the mountain! The walk up was a little more strenuous than we imagined (or wanted haha) but the kids did a great job and didn't complain at all! At the top we got an awesome view of a bunch of monkeys roaming freely around...pretty cool.

haha I love this pic of Lenny!

My sissy and I joke that there is not a single pic of her in Japan without the Ergo on HAHA. true. Tayah loves being carried by her mommy!

For lunch we had OYAKODON (chicken+egg over rice) by the river and that was EPIC. Such a peaceful and beautiful lunch. I ordered the ZENZAI, which is red bean soup with mochi, and it was PERFECTOOOOOO. WOW. I think a true sign that I am full-blooded Japanese is that I love red bean!

Ok...up next was something I was personally so excited to finally check out ...the hippest coffee shop in all the land, ARABICA.

This coffee shop is the epitome of Japanese coffee culture - minimalism + hip baristas + hyped coffee drinks + simple logo + instagramable spot ...WOW

The line was a good 35minutes...and lucky for me, my awesome bro Ant waited in line with me!

#worthit

Arashiyama was epic...but after lunch it was time for our next stop...KINKAKUJI (GOLDEN TEMPLE)

I love this pic on the left because it perfectly depicts how we traveled all 10 days in Japan..2 strollers, 5 kids 6 adults...rollin deep!

We happened to be there right at the perfect time of day where the reflection of KINKAKUJI (the golden temple) was so insanely clear in the water...JAPAN IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!