My ideal after hours.. Hiking, exploring, photography, being completely present.

My wife is Japanese (from Kyoto) , and i've been there 4 or 5 times... we've traveled around a lot and i love the country ..(but not the 14 hour flight).. 

Did you happen to visit Nijo Castle when in Kyoto? .. It has  an anti-ninja alarm system built in to protect the Shogun, it's called a "nightingale floor".. very cool.. 

  btw ... If you did visit, you might want to read the Japanese version of "Game of Thrones" .. called "Across the Nightingale Floor " by Lian Hearn.  It's book 1 of 5 .. the series is excellent if you like fantasy.