Kyoto Chaos: Numbers, Heat, and Temple Gardens
ok, so i'm still processing *Kyoto. it's…a lot. i touched on some…interesting things with those numbers earlier. 1620875 and 1764039814. what even is that? a phone number? coordinates? a really long shopping list? honestly, no clue. but it felt significant somehow, like a key to unlocking some hidden layer of the city.
The weather is screaming 'humid' right now. i just checked and it's a thick, clingy kind of heat, like someone wrapped you in a damp towel. there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. Temp 29.97C, feels like 30.28C. the humidity is a solid 45 - it’s good to have a portable fan, seriously. Also, my skin is not happy.
I landed near Gion, which felt immediately…different. not in a bad way, just… steeped. the buildings are old, the lanterns glow, and you get this faint scent of incense everywhere. I heard that if you're lucky, you might spot a geiko hurrying to an appointment. i didn't, but i did see a lot of tourists, which is the usual. i found a great little ramen place on Yelp - seriously, check it out: Yelp Link
The neighbors? well, they’re mostly incredibly polite. very respectful, very quiet. you’re not going to find loud parties here. if you get bored, Osaka is just a short train ride away. someone told me that the best spot for matcha ice cream is tucked away down a tiny alley near Nijo Castle. It’s a bit of a pilgrimage, but apparently worth it.
I spent yesterday wandering through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. it’s stunning, obviously, but completely mobbed. so get there early. it's worth battling the crowds for, though. The light filtering through the bamboo is…magical, i guess is the word for it. I also checked out Tenryu-ji Temple nearby. Very peaceful, even with the crowds. You can find more info about the temple here: TripAdvisor Link.
And the food! oh god, the food. i had the most amazing okonomiyaki at a little stall near the Nishiki Market. Seriously, street food is where it’s at here. Someone warned me about the wagashi (traditional sweets) - said some of them are… intense. apparently some of the flavors are not for the faint of heart! i also found a cool guide to Nishiki Market: Local Guide Link
I’m starting to think i need to take a class on translating Japanese street signs. It's a whole art form*. And the vending machines! it's like a vending machine utopia. you can get hot coffee, cold coffee, tea, juice… even corn soup! i may or may not have bought a can of corn soup. Don't judge. Also, the train system is ridiculously efficient. seriously, the best i've ever seen. it makes getting around so much easier.
I’m going to try and catch a traditional tea ceremony tomorrow. Apparently, it’s a really formal affair, but i figured it's worth a shot. maybe i’ll finally understand what all the fuss is about with matcha. and yeah, i definitely need to find a good place for some green tea mochi. totally worth the search.
And yeah, it’s a lot. a lot of temples, a lot of food, a lot of…numbers. I’m going to go get another ramen. Wish me luck.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/the-cost-of-living-in-cn-th-monthly-budget-breakdown
- https://votoris.com/post/crime-stats-in-san-antonio-are-we-actually-getting-safer-or-just-getting-better-at-lying
- https://votoris.com/post/tarawas-tidal-rhythm-a-dancers-disjointed-diary
- https://votoris.com/post/joo-pessoa-is-this-beach-paradise-actually-overrated
- https://votoris.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-xian-according-to-a-disillusioned-consultant