Kyoto Chaos: Noodles, Ghosts, and Seriously Weird Rain
okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret right now. 1860797 and 1392954750 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. i landed in Kyoto yesterday and it’s… intense. the humidity is clinging to me like a damp *kimono and it’s 1013 pressure, which is basically a polite way of saying ‘prepare for a headache.’ i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m a touring session drummer, so my priorities are finding decent ramen and places to practice my fills. the ramen here is… a whole experience. it’s not just food, it’s a performance. i had this place near Gion - ‘Ramen Ichiban’ - and the guy practically choreographed the noodles. it was wild. i almost dropped my sticks.
I overheard some drunk advice from a guy at the hostel - he was rambling about a ghost in the Fushimi Inari Shrine. apparently, it’s a former priest who died tragically and wanders the paths, looking for his lost bell. someone told me that if you leave a small offering of rice, he’ll guide you to a hidden shrine. i’m not saying i believe it, but i’m definitely packing a bag of rice.
Spent the afternoon wandering through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. it’s seriously surreal. like, walking through a green cathedral. the light was insane. i felt like i was in a video game. i need to get better at capturing this kind of vibe with my camera. my gear list is looking like a small apocalypse: camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards, noise-canceling headphones (essential for avoiding the incessant chatter), and a ridiculously large water bottle.
Speaking of gear, i’m seriously considering investing in a better gimbal. my footage is currently resembling a washing machine in motion. I found a great resource for travel photography tips here: https://expertphotography.com/travel-photography-tips/.
Later, i stumbled upon a tiny little shop selling vintage yukatas. i scored this beautiful one for like, 5000 yen. it’s covered in cherry blossoms. it’s ridiculously comfy. i’m already planning my nighttime strolls in it.
I heard that the Nishiki Market is a must-see, but it’s packed. i’m thinking of going early tomorrow. Also, someone mentioned that the Golden Pavilion is beautiful, but it’s always swarming with tourists. Maybe I’ll check out the Silver Pavilion instead.
Seriously, the rain here is… something. it’s not a gentle drizzle. it’s like someone turned on a sprinkler system set to ‘nuclear.’ it’s a constant, heavy downpour. it’s kinda beautiful, in a bleak, apocalyptic kind of way. I checked Yelp for nearby cafes - https://www.yelp.com/ - and found this place called ‘Kissa An’ that looks promising.
If you get bored, Osaka is just a short drive away. I’m thinking of heading there tomorrow to check out Dotonbori. It’s supposed to be insane.
Okay, last thing. i’m trying to find a good place to practice my drumming. I found a community center near Kyoto University* - it’s pretty cheap to rent a space for a few hours. I’m hoping to find some other musicians to jam with.
Seriously, the rain is relentless. I need more coffee. And maybe a therapist.
Oh, and I saw a guy dressed as a samurai today. Just… a guy. In a samurai costume. Kyoto, you weirdo.
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