Lost in Translation (and Ramen) in Kyoto
okay, so i just landed in *Kyoto, and honestly? my brain is doing that fuzzy thing it does after 18 hours of travel. the numbers popped into my head - 1848040 and 1392294093 - no real significance, just random data floating around. the weather here is… interesting. i just checked and it’s a surprisingly cool 11.61 Celsius, feels like 10.52, with a humidity of 65%. not oppressive, just a damp kind of chill. the air smells faintly of damp earth and something sweet i can’t quite place - maybe incense?
spent the morning wandering through Gion, trying to avoid looking too lost. it’s like stepping back in time, all wooden machiya houses and hushed alleyways. the temples are breathtaking, seriously. Kiyomizu-dera was packed, but the views? chef’s kiss. i’m pretty sure someone tried to sell me a fortune cookie that predicted i’d find true love… or maybe just more ramen.
food-wise? a dream. i’ve already slurped down enough ramen to fuel a small nation. seriously, the broth is an art form here. i heard that the best little ramen shop tucked away near Pontocho is legendary, but someone told me the wait can be hours. maybe i’ll brave it tomorrow. i’m also obsessed with the little pastry shops - little things with mochi and red bean paste… pure bliss.
“Don’t be afraid to get lost,” an older woman with incredibly intricate kimono patterns told me when i was staring at a map like it owed me money. “Sometimes, that’s when you find the best things.”
my accommodation is in a tiny little machiya - it's got tatami mats and a low table, which is a bit of an adjustment. but it’s charming. someone warned me about the narrow streets and the occasional… well, let’s just say nocturnal wildlife. i didn’t see anything scary yet, just a lot of very well-behaved cats.
pro-tip: invest in a Suica or Pasmo card for the trains. it’s a lifesaver. also, learn a few basic Japanese phrases - even just ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way. i’m definitely butchering the pronunciation. i’m thinking of checking out the Nijo Castle later. apparently, it's got some seriously cool history. and i spotted a cool vintage shop near Shijo-dori* - might have to pop in later. TripAdvisor has some good ideas for things to do.
“The best way to experience Kyoto is to just wander. Don’t over-plan,” a fellow traveler at my hostel said. “You'll stumble upon hidden gems.”
neighbors here are mostly friendly faces rushing to and fro. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short train ride away - tons of street food and energy. i might try a traditional tea ceremony tomorrow. or maybe just get another bowl of ramen. decisions, decisions. i’m off to explore - wish me luck (and maybe send ramen). you can find some cool local recommendations on Yelp. and for more detailed travel plans, Japan-Guide.com is pretty comprehensive.
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