Kyoto Chaos: Rain, Ramen, and Really Weird Neighbors
okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. kyoto. it’s… a lot. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 7.43 degrees, feels like 6.92, pressure 1016, humidity 70. it’s clinging to everything like a damp wool blanket. i landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stepped into a watercolor painting that someone spilled ink on.
seriously, the rain. it’s not a gentle rain. it’s a determined rain. it’s the kind of rain that makes you question all your life choices. i’m currently huddled in a tiny ramen shop called ‘Dragon’s Breath’ - it’s basically a metal box overflowing with steam and the smell of pork bones. it’s glorious.
my gear list is a disaster, obviously. i’ve got my battered Leica, a half-empty bottle of whiskey, a ridiculously oversized umbrella that looks like it belongs to a small child, and a notebook full of scribbled nonsense. i also seem to have acquired a collection of mismatched socks. it’s a vibe.
i overheard some drunk advice from a guy at the hostel - he was wearing a full samurai helmet (don’t ask) - that said, "Don’t go near Fushimi Inari Shrine after dark. The foxes are… territorial." Seriously? Foxes? I’m adding that to my list of things to investigate. Maybe with a very large flashlight.
Speaking of shrines, the *golden pavilion is insane. like, seriously, it’s shimmering. it’s the kind of place you go to and just… stare. I spent a good hour just trying to capture it on film, and i’m pretty sure i missed half the shots. it’s a struggle, you know?
I also stumbled upon this little shop selling antique kimonos. they were gorgeous, all silk and intricate patterns. someone told me that the owner, a tiny old woman named Hana, can predict your future based on the way you fold a handkerchief. i didn’t try it, but i’m tempted.
And the neighbors! oh my god, the neighbors. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short drive away, but honestly, the weirdest thing is the guy who lives across from me. he’s meticulously arranging pebbles in his tiny courtyard. every. single. day. and he wears a full suit of armor while doing it. i’m not judging, really. it’s just… a lot.
I checked out Nijo Castle today - it’s massive and feels like stepping back in time. the wooden floors are designed to creak when you walk on them, supposedly to warn of approaching enemies. it’s a little creepy, but also kind of cool.
I found this amazing little tea house tucked away down a side street. it was called ‘Silent Bloom’. the matcha was incredible, and the owner, a serene woman named Akari, gave me a tiny origami crane. I heard that she only serves tea to people who are genuinely seeking peace. i think i qualify.
Here’s a quick rundown of things i’ve been up to:
*Ramen: Obviously. Multiple times. Dragon’s Breath, Ichiran, and a tiny place called ‘Hidden Noodles’ that I found by accident. Worth the search.
*Temple Hopping: Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), and a bunch of smaller ones that I just wandered into.
*Shopping: Nishiki Market is a sensory overload. Get ready to be overwhelmed by pickles and seafood.
*Getting Lost: Repeatedly. It’s part of the experience, honestly.
I’m heading to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove* tomorrow. I’ve heard it’s breathtaking, but also incredibly crowded. Wish me luck.
Seriously, if you’re looking for a place to just… exist, Kyoto is it. It’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, and it’s utterly baffling. Don’t expect logic. Just go with the flow. And maybe pack an extra umbrella.
Check out this local board for events: https://www.kyototourism.org/ And for some seriously good ramen: https://www.yelp.com/ And if you need a place to crash (besides my questionable skills at finding hostels): https://www.tripadvisor.com/
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/baku-azerbaijan-a-stormy-scorching-windswept-adventure
- https://votoris.com/post/gaziantep-where-baklava-meets-bad-lighting
- https://votoris.com/post/kyoto-chaos-lost-in-translation-and-matcha-5
- https://votoris.com/post/sunsetvibes-in-accra
- https://votoris.com/post/religious-and-cultural-diversity-in-cocody-a-messy-humanstyle-take