I thoroughly enjoyed Kyoto. The ancient imperial capital of this island nation was a a great place to spend another good chunk of my trip, even if it was a little longer than I had initially planned. I was planning on spending 6 nights in Kyoto and extended when it became clear the typhoon would make landfall, little did I know that this would bring a number of plus points for me.
Kyoto suburbs
The hostel was nestled in the suburbs of Kyoto about 30 mins from there train station by bus, a bus that I definitely should not have taken my mahoosive bag on either times I did, but hey I got away with it.
It was a quiet residential area with everything you would need nearby which was perfect for me. The streets were exactly how you would imagine them to be and it was really cool to almost immerse myself in the environment.
Hostel Sui was lovely, super clean and really well managed by the lovely Masa, who was a gem! He runs a one man, well oiled, machine and it really shows, not one person had a bad thing to say about it.
Don’t get me wrong I love a foreign supermarket, but…
It’s a different kettle of fish when you’re not just popping in for some crisps, fizzy juice and some food for a barbie.
The challenge is some things seem really expensive whereas others seem really reasonable. Add to that everything being in Japanese and the yen is a bit of an odd scale (1000¥ is a little over £5) it makes shopping and budgeting for me extremely difficult and by that measure meant I was veggie every meal I cooked for myself during my stay. Don’t get me wrong, the meals were tasty enough (most of the time) and mushrooms are significantly cheaper than meat it was a no brainer for me.
Temples, shrines and the Imperial Palace
Kyoto boats an impressive array of temples, shrines and of course the Imperial Palace.
My favourite temple has to be the first one I visited which was Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. While it was in the ‘middle’ of the city it was the quietest one I visited and allowed me to take the opportunity to spend some quiet moments alone with my thoughts. Something I’m glad I took the opportunity to do.
The other temples in the city draw droves of tourists and are very busy which for me took the shine off. I don’t know where this is founded from but I truly believe to enjoy the spirituality of a religious site you have to have a relatively quiet environment, and maybe its linked to my personal experience of peace and it so often being tied to quiet moments in my life. As someone who doesn’t practice a religion, but has previously spent their youth in church, I found Buddhist temples to provide me a closer experience to peace than I have in any church in my adult life. Is it the space itself or should I open my mind to religion I don’t know, but for now I’m just going to enjoy the moments of peace when the come.
*I feel like its important to state that these are thoughts which have come to me as I write this blog, and reflect how I feel at this moment and will probably change, much like the course of a river does over its lifetime. I suppose thats the case for most people though. Anyways…
The imperial palace was very impressive and totally different to any palace I have visited in Scotland or England. I decided to take myself along on a very hot day (not my smartest move) and was lucky with the relatively low number of other visitors also guiding themselves around the palace grounds. You work your way round the outside of the palace (inside the palace wall) until you reach the ‘front’ gate and see the emperors palace in its full glory, framed by the inner gate. It was impressive sight, and I was truly impressed by the structure. Speaking of moments of peace, I found myself with one inside the palace grounds and used it for some more reflections, these thoughts were ones which were much more framed in the moment and reflected what I was seeing.
Now I can’t not mention Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, a spectacular shrine which I implore you to see at some point within your lifetime. If I can recommend anything it would be to go nice and early and try and get the place to yourself. Again the area nearest the ‘bottom’ of the shrine was heaving and I was a little disappointed, even if it was incredibly impressive. However I persisted and worked my further up the hill and the higher you climb the quieter it got until I was left with not all that many people around me, I could enjoy the walk, snap pictures and take in the environment around me. It was not the easiest climb in the hot, humid and close conditions that had a strangle hold on the day and with the threat of heavy rain on the radar I had to power up what isn’t the smallest hill ever. Good thing the walk home has been training me for this moment ay. I’m glad to have visited here and I’m even more glad that I got the chance to take in its beauty.
3 Brazilians, a Frenchman and Scotsman walk into a sushi bar…
What a great bunch of people to have met and spend time with in Kyoto. All hilarious, smart and generous people who put up with my shite patter that so many in my life are normally subjected too.
There is only one thing I really want to write about and thats how we all had so much in common and it really showed me that regardless if you grew up in São Paulo, Paris or good old Scotland there is common ground that will inevitably lead to some very very funny conversations.
To girl boss Marina thank you for putting up with me constantly getting your name wrong for most of my stay. I have every faith that your latest venture will help people see life like you do. Obrigado.
To boom boy Ismael you are hilarious and thoroughly made me giggle. Your Japanese is immensely impressive and I know you will smash university. Enjoy a pastry and espresso in Paris for me please. Merci.
To auntie Diniz, I don’t think i’ve ever said that word so much in the space of time I did and I have a fair few aunties… I know you are working hard to help the creatures which many hate and for that I know your character. I wish you nothing but luck with the application. Obrigado.
The grandma Ivana, our brief crossover is one that I am glad of and I hope you enjoy the travels you have coming up. I know that you will continue to do what you love and that makes me strive to do it to. Obrigado.
Stuff I have been enjoying
Podcasts:
Sherlock & Co - Goalhanger
Smith & Sniff - Richard Porter and Jonny Smith
Albums:
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
48:13 - Kasabian
Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
Definitely Maybe - Oasis
Toddy
Current Locale - 🇯🇵
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