Kyoto Chaos: Numbers, Nori, and Nearly Falling Over
okay, so here i am in *Kyoto, feeling like i’ve been tossed in a washing machine set to ‘delicate,’ but also strangely…alive? i’m still processing the numbers: 1861107, 1392291253. what do they even mean? i’m guessing something important. maybe a secret code to unlocking the best ramen spot? i need to find out.
The weather here is…interesting. i just checked and it’s…a humid hug, really. there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. The forecast says it'll stay pretty consistent for the next few days. Feels like a place made of mist and bamboo. the pressure is 1019, humidity is a whopping 81%, and the temperature is hovering around a tepid 5.88-7.1°C. I was expecting something colder, honestly. maybe i should’ve packed an extra pair of socks.
I'm staying in a little guesthouse near Gion, and it's charmingly chaotic. It’s like a jumble of tatami mats and ancient wooden beams crammed into a tiny space. My neighbor, an older woman named Hana, keeps leaving little plates of mochi on my doorstep. She doesn't speak much English, but she smiles a lot, and that’s enough. She seems to think i should visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine early in the morning - apparently, the crowds are insane by midday.
“Don’t dawdle,” she said, pointing firmly with a wrinkled finger. “The fox spirits are waiting.”
Spooky, right?
Trying to navigate the streets has been an adventure in itself. Everyone seems to glide along like they’re floating, and i’m just…bumping into things. i almost took out a small vendor selling grilled takoyaki earlier. apologies to the vendor, i really did.
I spent yesterday wandering through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It’s truly breathtaking. The light filtering through the towering stalks is almost otherworldly. i highly recommend going early to avoid the hordes of tourists. i heard that someone told me that the best time to experience it is during the golden hour - but honestly, even with the crowds, it was worth it. i found a great article on Japan-Guide.com with more tips on visiting.
Food-wise, it’s a paradise. i’ve been eating my weight in ramen and sushi. The fresh seafood is incredible. I even tried some natto (fermented soybeans). Let’s just say it’s an experience. Someone else warned me about the potential…aroma. Let’s leave it at that.
Then there's the fashion. Nishiki Market* is a sensory overload - a riot of colors, smells, and textures. I spotted some seriously amazing kimonos, but the prices were a bit…eye-watering. i had a laugh with a street artist who was selling intricate calligraphy prints. He said something along the lines of “Authenticity is more valuable than price.” I also checked out TripAdvisor for some food recommendations.
“The best views come after the hardest climbs,” a local craftsman told me while i was admiring his delicate pottery. He seemed to be sending me some sort of cryptic message about my future travel plans.
Oh, and the rumors about the ghosts? I heard that some of the temples are haunted by former monks. I haven't seen any specters yet, but i’m keeping my eyes peeled. Seriously though, if you get bored, Osaka is just a short drive away - and apparently, they have some seriously wild nightlife. This place is a whirlwind. i find myself getting easily distracted, like a kid in a candy store. i’m still figuring out exactly what this trip means to me.
I’m off to find some more mochi. Wish me luck - and maybe a translator. check out Yelp for places to eat.
Tags: travel, cityname, human, vibe , messy