Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan, and was the first big city we spent time in on our ski trip there. The pace here is much different than the organized chaos of the largest city in the world just a short Shinkansen ride away, instead tending to a more slow and deliberate pace perfectly suited for strolling its beautiful streets. While Tokyo is a huge city with global influence, Kyoto felt distinctly Japanese, and we immediately fell in love with it; so much so that we decided to skip a planned trip to nearby Osaka to stay in Kyoto a little longer. I can’t speak to the public transport here because we walked EVERYWHERE. I think we did about 10 miles a day on foot or something absurd like that. I’m sure the metro is great, but seeing the city by foot is great as well if you have the time. Kyoto is a huge city with many different neighborhoods, we chose to stay in Gion, which is the traditional Geisha district on the east bank of the Kamo River. This district was quiet and quaint, and made a great hub for our stay. Like the rest of our Japan posts, it’s a bit difficult to remember specific restaurants or bars since they don’t have english names, so I included what I remembered, but there was so much more and it was all amazing. Kyoto is a must for any Japan trip, and you should probably add an extra day or two to whatever you’re thinking, it’ll be well worth it.
Where We Ate
Tarokichi: We stopped here for some late night Yakitori and were able to order a little bit of everything between the 3 of us. My personal favorites were the chicken livers and skins, but it was all amazing.
Anzukko: You really can’t go wrong with the food in Japan, we hit Anzukko for some tasty gyoza.
Where We Drank
Ikumatsu: We found this place walking around and popped in due the “Craft Beer” sign out front. We found a welcoming restaurant with a solid tap list focusing on local brewers, definitely worth a stop.
Zaza Pub: This is a no frills pub right in the heart of Kyoto that we stumbled upon on a rainy night in Kyoto. Don’t go out of your way to hit this spot, there are plenty of amazing places around, but they do have Zima, which is neat.
What We Did
Nijo Castle: This monstrous castle on the north end of downtown dates back to 1603. We opted for the self guided tour, which was well worth it. The castle is complete with “Nightingale” floors which squeak loudly when walked on. They tell you it’s on purpose as a security measure against invaders in the night, but it’s actually an accidental byproduct of the construction methods.
Kinkakuji: Situated on the northwest side of the city, this is the famous “Golden Temple” of Kyoto. Pay a small fee to enter the grounds and take your time enjoying this must see place. If you can, try to go when the sun is out to see the temple in all its glory.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha: Another famous shrine, this time famous for the sheer number of Torii, or gates located here. Perhaps not as awe inspiring as the spots above, it is a bit more natural and offers some easy hiking/walking along the base of the hills.
Gion District: This is the district where we stayed, due to its central location and slightly slower pace than the rest of the city. Gion is also home to Kyoto’s Geisha population, which here are referred to as Geiko. If you wander the quaint streets long enough, you’ll be sure to see some.
An Impartial Eye Travel | Dale & Emily 