This time Ms. Ishikawa suggested the excursion, to check out the new Kyōto annex of her Ōsaka employer, the department store chain Takashimaya. There was even a store in the annex of theme items by Nintendō (任天堂), one of the few big companies based in Kyōto (last photo!).
It is ironic in terms of official Japan's reputation that Japanese women must take their husband's surname, except if they marry a foreigner. Then they do not have to, and my wife kept her maiden name. It is not well known, so sometimes the mailmen have wondered if we are related or what.
Although I thoroughly enjoy the tawny brownish red autumn leaves, leave it to World Heritage temple Kiyomizudera (清水寺) to display the full splendor of red maple leaves.
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