Lost in Kyoto: A Whirlwind of Temples and Ramen

okay, so i just landed in kyoto. the flight was… a thing. long. and i swear the cabin air was thicker than a matcha latte. the numbers i saw scrolling on the screen before takeoff? 2111687 and 1392933042. no idea what they meant, probably just random flight data. i’m definitely running on fumes, like a badly programmed robot. the weather here? it’s… definitely humid. like someone wrapped you in a warm towel and then sprinkled you with mist. there’s a persistent dampness in the air, clinging to everything. i just checked and it’s cool but not cold, hovering around 11.15°C, feels like 10.46°C. the humidity is a solid 82%, so you’re basically breathing soup.

first impressions? utter sensory overload. the temples are stunning, obviously, like you’ve seen a million pictures but they still hit different in person. kinkaku-ji (the golden pavilion) was… wow. people were everywhere, though, a constant flow of tourists. i heard a local mention someone told them to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine early in the morning to avoid the crowds - drunk advice, probably, but noted. i’m thinking of checking that out tomorrow.

food. oh god, the food. i already devoured a bowl of ramen that might have single-handedly cured my jet lag. seriously, it was chefs kiss. i’m planning on hitting up Nishiki Market later - apparently, it’s a foodie paradise. someone told me that you can find everything there, from pickled vegetables to fresh seafood. i’m a sucker for weird snacks.

my little room in this guesthouse is… compact. let’s just say personal space is a suggestion here. but it’s clean and the owner, mrs. tanaka, is incredibly sweet. she keeps leaving little notes with recommendations, which is super thoughtful. she also mentioned that the local onsen (hot spring) is amazing, but be prepared for some serious communal bathing. i’m feeling brave, but also slightly terrified.

basically, kyoto is a beautiful, chaotic mix of old and new. the ancient temples sit alongside modern cafes, and the quiet gardens are just steps away from bustling streets. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short train ride away, a totally different vibe. i’m trying to embrace the unexpected, get lost in the backstreets, and eat all the delicious things. i'm also trying to remember to charge my camera - this place is ridiculously photogenic. i found a great little photography workshop listed on TripAdvisor.

*Pro tip: learn a few basic japanese phrases. even just ‘arigato’ (thank you) goes a long way. also, watch out for the vending machines - they sell everything*.

and the pressure? 1020, which is pretty standard. the ground level is a little lower at 1018, and sea level is 1020. not really relevant to my ramen consumption, but hey, details.

planning on hitting up some more gardens tomorrow. maybe even try to find a traditional tea ceremony. who knows what adventures await?

see ya later from kyoto!

you can check out some cool local playlists on Spotify if you're feeling the vibe.