Tenshi No Sato 9 may 2010

As we had two weeks in Japan we just had to get a RailPass and take the Bullet train to Kyoto
No way around it.

Also, this meant that I could go visit the Tenshi No Sato place
Signed up via the website a month or so before as reservation is never really released any earlier than this.
You need to have a Volks web-user account so if you don’t already have one you need to make one first before you start with the booking.

You make the booking for yourself and any number of guests that you will be bringing.
The booking form asks you to pick a number, not sure why, I just picked number 1.
Did not seem to have any relevance at all when we got there but maybe I missed something.

Also, think you can book workshops as well as the ‘ceremony’ where you get a certificate for your doll but have no idea how to do this and was not really interested in any of this anyway, so was not bothered about finding out.
However, if you do have any info on this, please do share as I would be interested in knowing for another time ^^

After being late to the Dollshow, massively late to the Doll Summit and relatively late to Dolpa for the last doll event of this holiday, I was amazingly there before they were even open! Ta Da! Drumroll, bow and exit!

Getting there from Kyoto main station was super fast. I was expecting Big Sight travel times >.< My sense of distance for Kyoto has definitely not been developed fully yet. Will work on that
Directions as entered on the Volks site were super easy to follow, there is no way you can get lost!

Weather was lovely so wandered around the area and ended up at a Mr Donut across the street. OmNomNom!
When finished we headed over to the now open gate into the fortress that is Tenshi No Sato. Amazed that there is no moat around the place and a retractable bridge…

At the entrance showed our passports to the lovely giggling school girls behind the glass at the front desk and got our tickets, programme and other bits and pieces. Was at the same time advised that photos were only allowed in the entrance hall, top floor, small part of the third floor and the garden.

Then took the tour of the place where most was spent in the lovely garden due to the absolutely gorgeous weather.

Picked up a few bits and pieces from the basement store and was very tempted to pick up the on sale Mio there as well but managed to control myself.
Bought the Angel Robe outfit for Pino as this is the only place you can buy it and well to me, the only place it makes sense buying it. Some things should only be gotten if you have actually been there. A bit like wearing a tourist tee from a place you never visited seems odd. Just my five cents ^^
Was struggling with both shopping and carrying Pino at the same time which was noticed by the nice Volks staff who brought me a basket for her. So handy!
Noticed that everyone around me was carrying their dollies around in one after getting one myself… Fail.
Note to self: Get one at the entrance upon arrival.

Had a look around the FCS department but have not yet fully established my Japanese contact base so decided to leave this for the time being. Also, still not a big SD fan and most of the moulds were the SD type. There was one interesting face mould though that had the anime DD look to it so that might be the one to go for once I do get a shipping contact in Japan.

The gallery time line display was interesting and the One Offs were pretty amazing.

Had a tea and cake set in the cafe before heading back to central Kyoto.