Our journey took us from our home at the time in Seoul, South Korea to Osaka, Japan, and then by train to our final destination in Kyoto just outside of Fushimi Inari-Taisha during the last week of December 2014.
Reminiscing the past
Even 4 years out from that trip, it’s hard to put into words how amazing this adventure was; and the impression that has stayed with us ever since. Most days were relatively warm for late December which made wandering all the more enjoyable. Each day we made our way from temple to temple, onto and off of trains, and through quiet narrow streets, taking in the architecture, culture, and harmony of the city.
Everyone we met were incredibly friendly and patient with our extremely limited Japanese vocabulary. We rang in the new year on a wooded hillside at Fushimi Inari-Taisha. We drank mini beers and a ton of super friendly folks.
New Year’s Day, we visited Heinan Shrine and it’s gigantic Torii gate just as the snow began to fall, continuing our exploration and ringing in of 2015. We found ourselves twisting and turning our way down snow-covered walks in search of a place to warm up and eat. While this was a bit of a challenge due to many shops being closed through the holidays, it only gave us more of an excuse to keep walking to see what was around the next corner. We eventually ended that New Year’s day at Bar Dylan II (A Bob Dylan themed bar), warming ourselves over whiskeys and watching the snowfall on the hills to the east. Four years out, we’re still twisting and turning, trying to find our way, and see what is around the next corner.
Caught Off Guard
The Kamo River. We did not get a chance to walk along its banks. Having another visit in spring would be a perfect time to walk amongst its flowering cherry blossoms.
Calories:
Kyoto Station has a ton of great restaurants so check out the lower level shops and restaurants. With that, the true MVP of this trip was Family Mart’s delicious premade sandwiches. Seriously, try the Egg Salad.
20:20 Hindsight:
More time to explore! We only had about 5 days all told to explore and a few things were closed through the holidays. More days on the ground another time of year might help us develop a deeper appreciation of all that Kyoto has to offer.
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