After a short sleep in the night bus i’m now in Kyoto. The bus usually arrive super early. Mine was 5am so it was still pitch black out there but I took a chocolate drink with a new japanese friend I have met in the bus. A good way to start the day !
I’m staying in a traditional japanese house , also called Ryokan.
Good to be here after the bus.
Let’s go and explore around. I was pretty destroyed from the two last night but I had to do something. I wanted to have some insight of Kyoto. So impatient. Let’s head to a temple that is 2min away from my Ryokan.
This is Higashi Hongan ji. A huge temple. I was very suprised by the size. It was great to start the day , walking barefoot on the old wooden floor. The sun was rising up slowly and the temple was almost empty. I could hear some morning chanting inside so I went to take part. A mystical morning in a Buddhist temple. It felt liked I arrived in Kyoto.
Such a huge contrast from Tokyo. Already I can feel the change in the vibration. In Kyoto it’s much quieter and the air is fresher. The building are not very high and the city is more walkable than Tokyo. It was nice to transition to a different dynamic after all the previous agitation.
I’m now going toward the Higashiyama district not too far away. There is a street that goes up toward a temple. This street is a foodies heaven ! Also quite crowed. Be prepared to see a lot of people in Kyoto. Make sure you visit early in the day some sites and avoid week end.
In Kyoto you will find many shops that sells sweet food with a Matcha base. It’s a speciality here so make sure to try some. This street was full of them.
I had a “Choux a la crème” with a Matcha cream inside. This was good.
This is Yuba , a fried tofu on a stick. That was also nice.
This is Dango. Riceballs dipped into a sweet soy sauce. Really good as well. This street makes you want to try everything !
There were shops with plates and tea bowl. Look at the colors. I loved this shop. Very fine art. I wanted to bring some of theses back home but I’m not sure they will survive the journey. Sometime you just have to enjoy with the eyes 🙂
At the top of that street you will be reward by a wonderful temple with a view. The Kiyomizu-dera.
This site was magical but I have to say all that crowed putted me off. After two small nights I was exhausted and needed a bit of peace. I choosed to stop the visit and to slowly come back to the Ryokan.
Quality matters more than quantity. This is especially true when you visit holy places likes Kyoto. You dont want to get caught in the dynamic of ticking boxing without truely feeling the place you are in. Not everyone can have the luxury of having 1 full week just in Kyoto but if you can , go for it. Taking your time will allow you a much deeper experience. A bit like eating food bit by bit. Enjoying the all process. You wont risk to get sick by doing like so and the experience will be more nourishing.
The main river of Kyoto. You can see many bicyles that drive along this river. Kyoto is a bicyle friendly city. It’s not so big and has some sections for bikes which is conveniant. You can rent them everywhere here.
The streets of Kyoto are really enjoyable. Old houses all around and a chilled out vibe.
First impression ? The first day in Kyoto was interesting. This place have a completely different vibration. It has a more human scale size even thought it’s still big. The restaurants and cafés are cool and there is many veggie friendly places. I’m looking forward to see more. And to have a recharging sleep.
Good night from the Tanuki !
Oyasumi.
Tired
Tsukareta つかれた
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