A weekend in Kyoto is like traveling back in time, as tranquil natural beauty coexists with traditional customs. On Saturday morning, I started my tour at the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is well-known for its never-ending line of vermillion torii gates. It was almost meditative to enter the gates and be surrounded by peaceful woodlands. I took my time making my way to the top, pausing along the way to take in the stunning city vistas and lesser shrines.
I visited the Nishiki Market, a thriving center of regional specialties, for lunch. I tried Kyoto-style sushi, freshly grilled yakitori, and matcha desserts. The lively ambiance was the ideal start to an afternoon spent discovering different cultures. I next went to Kinkaku-ji, well known as the Golden Pavilion, which had a postcard-like shimmering reflection on the nearby pond.
In the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where tall green stalks produced a mystical, otherworldly atmosphere, Sunday morning began early. I enjoyed watching residents sail along the Katsura River after a little stroll to the Togetsukyo Bridge. I couldn’t help but rent a bike and ride it through the serene countryside, past traditional tea houses and small shrines.
I had a great time eating soba noodles at a riverbank café for lunch while taking in the softly swaying autumn foliage. Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district, was my final destination. It was like traveling back in time to Japan’s Edo period as you strolled along the cobblestone lanes that were bordered with wooden machiya dwellings. Even though I didn’t see any geisha, the location was very charming.
I thought of Kyoto’s enduring beauty as the weekend drew to a close. Its fusion of history, culture, and nature made my brief visit one to remember—and left me wanting more.
