Breaking the Kyoto Protocol

No.. not that protocol. I visited today the Imperial Palace in central Kyoto today, and thoroughly underestimated the walk to it from the southern entrance of the park. So once I finally reached the wall, I was frustrated to see that I was on the wrong side. In order to avoid the baking 30c heat, I hoped over a foot wide drain that ran around the walls, and walked along right up against the wall, with my headphones on, but importantly in the shade.

All of a sudden a police car roars up, I drop my headphones around my neck. The pleasing tones of the generic Japanese female announcer was replaced with angry male shouting. A alarm that would put my Cardiff halls of residence alarm to shame rang out over what seemed most of downtown Kyoto.

Turns out, what I was doing was naughty. Luckily no-one was watching, so no loss of face. And im here typing now so hopefully this means I escape deportation. The policeman didnt say anything, but he didnt need to. I know im just another gaikokujin dilluting Japanese culture.