Impressions of Kyoto

I’ve been to Kyoto three times. The first time, I still wasn’t very familiar with Japan and had only visited Tokyo once before. Everything about Kyoto felt fresh and new to me: the buses, the shrines on every corner, Ninenzaka, the bustling Gojo area, Arashiyama—and while I was at it, I also toured most of the popular spots around Kansai. The second time, I explored even more places. Since I still held tourist status back then, I could take full advantage of the JR Pass and ventured out to Miyama, Ine, Amanohashidate, and Kifune Shrine. The third time was an entirely self-guided trip, where I got lucky and booked a remarkably cheap hotel room that was surprisingly spacious.

Kyoto

A traveler and bicycle on a station platform

A mail carrier cycling along a Kyoto street — Turns out mail carriers still deliver mail by bicycle.

Ninenzaka

Probably influenced by that very first trip, strolling through Ninenzaka has practically become a mandatory stop every time I visit Kyoto, always capped off with a cup of coffee from % Arabica.

Stone steps, wooden buildings, and visitors at Ninenzaka

I really love the atmosphere along the Kamo River. Taking an afternoon stroll along the riverbanks—especially in the late afternoon—has such a wonderfully lazy, relaxing vibe.

A weir and riverbanks along the Kamo River

A traveler on stepping stones across the Kamo River

Miyama

Miyama is over an hour’s ride from Kyoto, though buses don’t run very frequently, so you have to keep an eye on the schedule. The thatched-roof village there is beautiful, but it was snowing heavily during our visit and many shops were temporarily closed. Sadly, we didn’t get to see much; we just walked around, grabbed a quick bite, and hopped back on the bus. I’d love to visit again in the spring or summer if I get the chance!

A snow-covered thatched-roof house in Miyama

A small snowman on a bench — Built a little snowman nearby while waiting for the bus.

Nara

I don’t know Nara particularly well. Every time I visit, I just head to Nara Park to pet the deer, grab some food nearby, and leave without ever diving deeper. If given the chance, I’d like to explore what else the area has to offer.

Deer following a traveler in Nara Park — I really like this photo—the deer following along so innocently was hilarious.

Arashiyama

PIECE HOTEL

One of my favorite places to stay in Kyoto is PIECE HOTEL. Not only is it conveniently located right next to Kyoto Station, but its exposed-concrete, industrial-style aesthetic also fits Kyoto surprisingly well. As for this photo—which doesn’t quite match the architecture—it’s just me having breakfast inside. Their breakfast options varied slightly every day, and the rice was so delicious that I had multiple bowls while flipping through guidebooks to plan the day ahead.

Ine

Ine is su~~per~~ far away. Taking a bus from Kyoto takes around three hours each way, but the scenery is gorgeous, and it’s well worth staying overnight for a relaxing walk—otherwise, you’re looking at six hours of round-trip travel. The sight of the funaya (boathouses) is fantastic, and if the weather is nice, you can take a boat ride to feed the seagulls. Unfortunately, the weather was too poor when we went, so the boats weren’t running.

An outdoor staircase and trees covered in snow

This is Amanohashidate, a stopover on the way to Miyama. The atmosphere and views here are both wonderful, but due to time constraints, we couldn’t stay for long. By the time we headed back, snow had already started falling.

Kurama and Kifune Shrine

Kifune is another spot that’s probably best visited in the summer, when you can enjoy nagashi somen (flowing noodles) or riverside kawadoko dining. The area is most famous for its lantern-lined stone staircase path. From the train station, it’s still quite a trek to the shrine; while there is a bus available, we decided to hike up instead. We climbed while taking in the scenery, checking out the sights along the road, and seeing what curious drinks were stocked in the vending machines along the way.