Kyoto. Where do I even begin? I had the privilege of spending two days here the summer after my eighth grade (aka 10 years ago, what?!) and fell in love. Ten years later and I'm still enamored.
Many cities can be called beautiful. Many have a rich history. Many boast enviable architecture, shopping, scenery, cuisine. But for anyone who has experienced Kyoto, I think it's safe to say there is just something special about this city. Wherever you go you can feel the history, the patina of hundreds of years, the depth of beauty and memories that exist. Even with all the people, buses, taxis, and modern storefronts it seeps through. I can't really put it into words and photos can't really do it justice, but it is there. And it's a beautiful thing to experience.
With three days and our city bus passes (Russel from UP anyone?) in hand, we trekked all over, taking in many of the famous sites. What follows are pictures from the "landmark" places we went as well as the back alleys I wandered. And fair warning, there are quite a few photos, but these also aren't nearly ALL the photos I took so count yourselves lucky ;)
Without further ado, Kyoto the first two days.
The streets of the Gion/Kiyomizu area
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| The wood, the rooflines, the patina. It's the best. |
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| Wandering the streets of Gion we came upon this quintessential Kyoto scene |
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| Hokan-ji |
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| Posing |
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| loved everything in this store, especially these vibrant little blossoms |
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| Putting our feet up along Kamogawa at golden hour |
Day Two- Philosopher's walk to Honen-in temple and Ginkakuji, Takano and Kamo rivers fork, Shimagamo-jinja, Nijo-jo, and Kiyomizu-dera
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| Sand art at Honen-in |
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| mini Hobbit-sized door |
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| Teeny little jinja gate |
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| Ginkakuji- the Silver Pavilion |
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| Immaculate grounds at Ginkakuji |
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| Overlooking Ginkakuji grounds to Kyoto |
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| Moss |
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| The photographer gets her own picture |
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| Standing on giant turtle rocks where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet |
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| rock piles at Shimagamo |
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| Shimagamo shrine- lots of orange |
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| Nijo Castle: standing here I had flashbacks to when I was here ten years ago |
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| Love this roof so much, it's just perfection |
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| Kyoto tower from Kiyomizudera |
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| Kiyomizudera, an incredible structure and gorgeously illuminated |
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| Omiyage shop with FREE SAMPLES |
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| Lantern installations in Maruyama koen |
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| Giant floral arrangements in Maruyama koen |
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| The most famous sakura tree in Maruyama koen |
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| Lanterns at Yasaka shrine |
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With Johnny, a fellow Bruin, now teaching with JET in Kyoto. He was kind enough to act as tour guide one evening!
Also, love the photo-bomber desperately trying to get out of our picture hahaha |
Kyoto- 京都 part 2 can be viewed
HERE
