March 17 – March 26, 2016
Table of contents:
TokyoKyoto (you are here)Fuji + Himeji + Osaka
After walking in Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods for so many days, we were getting fatigued and needed a change of pace. Little did we know how different of a beast Kyoto is. Before we get started, shout-out to the Shinkansen for such a lovely ride there!
Arashiyama
Skyscrapers replaced by green mountains, concrete streets replaced by waterways, businessmen in suits replaced by women in kimonos. It was the ultimate place for relaxation. I’m pretty sure I would’ve cried if the cherry blossoms were blooming, but unfortunately, we were two weeks too early.
Otsuka, Arashiyama
Although the sweets vendors on the streets were tempting, we had a serious mission and were looking for wagyu beef. Tucked in a residential area off the main shopping street, Otsuka serves up heavenly Murasawa beef that will literally melt in your mouth.
Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama
To avoid the crowds, come in the early morning to be transported to a magical place.
Tenryuji, Arashiyama
A temple next to the bamboo grove. I wish we had spent more time here.
Iwatayama Monkey Park, Arashiyama
The hike up to the top took us roughly 20 minutes, and it offered us spectacular views of the city below. Of course, the view is not the real incentive, the good-natured monkeys are.
Omen, Higashiyama
The best (dipping) udon I’ve had by far.
Higashiyama Hanatoro
We caught the tail-end of the annual lights show. We didn’t quite do it any justice though as we were quickly attracted to Chion-in.
Chion-in, Higashiyama
Exploring this place at night probably gives it a totally different vibe, but the light projections were on point.
Menya Iroha, Kyoto Station
There is a “ramen alley” at the Kyoto Station with a handful of shops, each featuring their own specialty ramen. We ended up eating at Iroha for the dark shoyu broth infused with the taste of the sea.
9 Hours Capsule Hotel
Another Japanese novelty that looks like a dystopian prison, this hotel offers cheap accommodations where you literally sleep in a capsule (at least it was spacious). I would only recommend this if a) you’ve never been to one before or b) you’re a heavy sleeper as the sound isolation is non-existent.
Ryokan Izuyasu
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the hospitality of a traditional Japanese inn. This ryokan has a simple blend of modern materials with traditional touches. We felt very much at home with the sliding panel doors, the tatami mats, and the futons. After a relaxing shower and a bath, we were treated to a traditional Kyoto-style kaiseki by the in-house chef.
Nishiki Market
A short walk packed with food stalls on both sides. It was a great place to check out a large variety of street foods.
Owariya
Another one of my goals for this trip was to eat soba. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything other than store-bought soba boiled at home, so this restaurant definitely raised the bar for me.
Kiyomizudera
Apparently, this temple complex was one of the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World. The street leading up to the temple fulfills a lot of your souvenir needs; or if you’re hungry, you can grab a cream puff like I did.
Kinkakuji
The golden pavilion is probably one of the most well-known structures in Kyoto and every tourist will have it on their list. Be warned, the number of tour groups can get ridiculous.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
You’ll also see this one in a lot of pictures. This area is filled with torii gates sponsored by Japanese businesses. The roads stretch long enough that you’ll have ample photo opportunities to avoid the crowds — as long as you are in a walking mood (we weren’t).
And there you have it, all of our highlights from Kyoto. Thanks for reading and be sure to continue on to the last post:
TokyoKyoto (you are here)Fuji + Himeji + Osaka
Enjoyed this post? Follow me @kzmeyao
Copyright 2016. Photos taken by Kevin Yao. All rights reserved.