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above the clouds

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Notes from a Traveler + Kyoto Experiences

September 1, 2020 by Dave9 Comments

I am everywhere
and I am nowhere
I am a spirit animal
I change my soul
with my intentions.

I am a traveler
And I am a lover
I flow with the winds
But am led by my internal compass.

I am most alive when I am on the road.

The thrill of always moving – never having more then a general plan, letting things unfold as they do, in the moment, is often how I travel. Its a great way to be open to unexpected experiences – letting each day unfold. And it is certainly a contrast to the normalcy and expected visual surroundings of my home base in California – a place I have explored in great depth over the years.

There is a sense of satisfaction about really knowing a part of the world – I’ve gotten to know three places extremely well, the Napa Valley, Los Angeles and Bangkok – to the point I am quite comfortable in any of those places. And places I am often in.

But for a change of pace, it is actually satisfying when I am exploring parts of the world I have never been to. Recently I was in Japan – a country I had very minimally explored over the years with a number of overnight stops only in Tokyo and Narita. This time I was in Kyoto and had 10 days to explore this part of the country.

I often use two resources to help plan in the moment trips while I am traveling – either those who I meet while traveling (often at a guesthouse) or through social media.

While in Japan on a wine focused trip I also had other free time. I came to Kyoto knowing it was a cool city – had plans to stay a couple of days but then found out how cool of a place it really is and ended up staying a week. The Gion neighborhood (geisha district) feels like being on a movie set at times – with picturesque alleyways, waterways, old Japanese wooden buildings and plenty of picture perfect postcard spaces. Perhaps sometimes one only associates Japanese cuisine with sushi and sashimi – however Kyoto has numerous restaurants focusing on meat – with specialties being Wagu and Kobe beef.

This is the city of temples – some within walking distance of the center of town including the must visit Yasaka Shrine.

Back to Kyoto – someone recommended to go out to Katsura River – about 40 minutes by train outside of central Kyoto. I spent most of the day out here – exiting the Arashiyama train stop; most of the nearby attractions are within walking distance. I visited several temples that dated back 800+ years including the very picturesque Horinji Temple which originally dates back to 713 AD. Soon I found myself along the banks of the Katsura River – I spotted small waterfalls coming down from the mountains and a few food vendors with tables perched right on the riverbank. Bucolic. I took a drink and watched wooden river boats float past. I then headed up stream and found a bend in the river with no one around – the water felt lovely, a soothing chill from the heat and humidity and sunshine of this warm day.

And before I forget, I will leave you with this: the Japanese toilets are the best in the world. No question here. Automated, often with spray buttons specifically for his and her, heated seats and numerous other fancy options. Even the cheap guesthouses I stayed in offered toilets with many of these features.



Related posts:

10 Foods You Have to Try in Kyoto Experience the Epic Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan Notes of a Curious Traveler, Exploring Northeast Spain Q Sushi in Downtown Los Angeles Enjoying a Diversity of Experiences in Yangon, Myanmar

Filed Under: General Travel · Tagged: Animal Rescue, Art, Bangkok Thailand, California, Culinary travel, Drinking, Food and Wine, Japan, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Restaurants, Sushi, Walking tour, Wine Tasting

Comments

  1. Marion Pew says

    September 1, 2020 at 5:12 am

    Nice prose – I want to return to Kyoto whenever I am able to 🙂

  2. Dave says

    September 1, 2020 at 7:28 am

    I can’t wait to return to explore more of Japan’s wine country – next time I will visit Nagano.

  3. Chin Liang Teh says

    September 4, 2020 at 8:05 am

    I wish I could visit Kyoto soon to experience the Zen culture

  4. Dave says

    September 4, 2020 at 10:16 pm

    Teh – have you been to Japan before?

  5. Chris Fallows says

    September 8, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    I certainly understand your words – “I am almost alive when I am on the road” Thanks for sharing this experience. I have been to Japan before and next time I would like to include Kyoto in my trip.

  6. Dave says

    September 16, 2020 at 10:52 pm

    Chris – yep, definitely put Kyoto on your must visit list the next time you are in Japan.

  7. Kaylini Naidoo says

    September 17, 2020 at 8:51 am

    Your prose certainly resonates with me! I’ve yet to visit Japan yet, although my boyfriend wants us to visit next year (more so for the Rugby 7’s) but I’m definitely going to throw in plenty sightseeing. Thanks so much for sharing!

  8. Dave says

    September 18, 2020 at 10:32 am

    Thanks Kaylini 🙂 I hope you both can visit – it is a beautiful country.

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