Kyoto Chaos: Lost in Translation (and Cherry Blossoms)
okay, so this happened. i’m still processing. i landed in *Kyoto, and immediately felt like i'd wandered onto a movie set - all ancient temples and frantic energy. the air? thick. like someone brewed a pot of jasmine tea and then decided to add a whole lotta humidity. i just checked and it's… actually quite mellow right now, a nice reprieve from the initial sensory overload, hope you like that kind of thing.
my flight was delayed thanks to some weird air traffic thing, and i ended up grabbing instant ramen from a tiny shop near Gion. honestly, it was the best ramen i’ve had in ages. don’t knock it till you try it. seriously, fuel up. it’s a long walk ahead.
first impressions: this city is a maze. a beautiful, incredibly polite maze. everyone bows. everyone. i felt slightly awkward navigating the sidewalks. turns out, jaywalking is frowned upon. a lot. i’m still trying to figure out the train system - it's a beautiful labyrinth of lines and announcements i don’t understand. i might need to check out a local travel guide on TripAdvisor , just to be safe.
spent yesterday wandering through Fushimi Inari Shrine. the thousands of red torii gates snaking up the mountain…wow. seriously breathtaking. i saw this older woman meticulously cleaning one of the gates - a tiny, almost reverent act. it felt…significant. like a small piece of a centuries-old ritual. someone told me that if you whisper a wish while passing through the gates, it’s more likely to come true. i whispered something about finding a decent matcha latte.
food-wise, i’ve been mostly living on carbs. which, let’s be real, is exactly what i needed. found this little place in Pontocho Alley serving okonomiyaki. it was savory pancake goodness. apparently, it’s a bit of a local favorite, but the prices are a little steep, so be prepared. heard that the street food stalls around Nishiki Market are legendary, but i haven’t braved the crowds yet. maybe tomorrow.
weather-wise, it’s been alternating between sunshine and drizzle. a classic spring mix. the humidity is clinging to everything like a second skin - pleasantly so, mostly. my clothes are perpetually damp.
neighbors-wise, the locals are incredibly kind, although the language barrier is real. i’ve mostly relied on pointing and smiling. the streets are filled with the quiet hum of bicycle bells and the scent of incense. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short train ride away - apparently, it’s a crazy, vibrant city with incredible street food.
reviews-wise, someone warned me about the vending machines - apparently, some of them only dispense drinks in Japanese. good to know! also heard that the public bathhouses (onsen) can be a bit intimidating for first-timers. i’m still on the fence about trying one.
my advice? wear comfortable shoes. seriously. you’ll be doing a lot* of walking. and learn a few basic Japanese phrases. it goes a long way. and don't be afraid to get lost. some of the best discoveries happen when you’re not trying to find your way.
planning on hitting up Japan-Guide.com for some more insider tips. and maybe a matcha latte. definitely a matcha latte. I also found this cool article on The Blonde Abroad with some great recommendations.
so yeah. kyoto. it’s a lot. but it's also pretty magical. i’m exhausted, but completely captivated. more updates to come… if i can figure out how to work this wifi.
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