Kyoto Chaos: Rain, Ramen, and Really Weird Vibes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm matcha. 2110744 and 1392996342 - seriously, what even is that? it’s just…numbers. i’m not sure they mean anything, but they’re stuck in my head now. i landed in Kyoto yesterday, and honestly, it’s…a lot. like, a beautiful, ancient, slightly unsettling lot. the humidity is clinging to everything - 15.88°C feels like 14.49°C, and the pressure is 1018, sea level 1004. it’s like breathing soup. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m staying in this tiny guesthouse near Gion - it smells faintly of incense and something vaguely floral, which is…interesting. The walls are paper-thin, so i’m basically listening to everyone’s conversations. it’s a constant stream of polite Japanese and the clinking of sake cups. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short drive away, apparently. someone told me that the street food there is insane, but i’m still trying to wrap my head around the concept of eating everything in sight.
I spent the morning wandering through Fushimi Inari-taisha, which is, like, a million red torii gates. it’s breathtaking, but also a little overwhelming. i felt like i was walking through a giant, slightly aggressive, vermillion tunnel. i almost tripped over a guy in a full samurai outfit - seriously, who does that anymore? it was a bit much.
Then, i stumbled upon this tiny ramen shop tucked away down a side street. the place was packed, and the guy behind the counter didn’t speak a word of English, but he just pointed at a bowl and started ladling broth. it was the best ramen i’ve ever had, honestly. rich, salty, with perfectly chewy noodles. i slurped it down like a starving wolf. i heard that the chef there uses a secret family recipe that’s been passed down for generations - probably involves a lot of pork bones and a whole lotta love.
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I’m trying to navigate the subway system, which is…an experience. it’s a beautiful, efficient maze of tunnels and platforms. i got completely lost twice today, and ended up ending up in a completely different part of the city. i’m pretty sure i saw a guy wearing a full ninja costume on one of the trains. it’s Kyoto, man. anything goes.
I checked TripAdvisor and Yelp - the reviews are…mixed. “Overrated” and “Tourist trap” seem to be recurring themes. Someone told me that the bamboo forest is beautiful, but also incredibly crowded. I heard that the geisha district is worth a visit, but be prepared to pay a fortune for a photo. i’m taking it all with a grain of salt, obviously. i’m just here to soak it all in and try not to get completely lost.
I’m heading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple tomorrow - apparently, the views are incredible. i’m also planning on checking out Nishiki Market, which is supposed to be a foodie paradise. i need to find some matcha ice cream, stat. i’m seriously considering buying a kimono just to blend in better. or at least look slightly less bewildered.
Seriously, the rain is starting again. it’s a light drizzle, but it’s persistent. it’s like the city is weeping. i’m going to find a cozy cafe and order another matcha latte. maybe i’ll even try to sketch something. or maybe i’ll just stare at the rain and contemplate the mysteries of 2110744 and 1392996342.
Here’s a link to the Kyoto City Tourism Association: https://kyoto.travel/en/ and a good place to find some local eats: https://www.yelp.com/search?keyword=kyoto%20ramen and a map of the area: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kyoto&z=12
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