Kyoto's Sticky Secrets & Seriously Weird Rain
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. i landed in kyoto like, 72 hours ago and my brain feels like a crumpled origami crane. the humidity is intense. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s clinging to everything - my camera, my socks, my sanity. the pressure’s at 1018, which is… unsettling, honestly. feels like someone’s gently pressing on my chest.
seriously, this place is a sensory overload. temples everywhere, geishas flitting around like neon butterflies, and the smell of matcha everything. i’m trying to document it all, but my phone’s battery is staging a full-blown rebellion. i’m relying heavily on my trusty (and slightly battered) Fujifilm X-T4 - gotta love that film simulation. it’s a good thing i brought extra batteries, too. i’m thinking of hitting up FujiFilm’s website to see if they have any tips for shooting in this kind of weather.
I spent yesterday wandering through the bamboo forest in arashiyama. it was… intense. like, overwhelmingly green and quiet. i felt like i was walking through a cathedral made of stalks. someone told me that the best time to go is early morning, before the crowds descend, but honestly, i was too busy dodging selfie sticks. i found this tiny little tea house tucked away - Arashiyama Tea House - and had the most amazing matcha latte. it was ridiculously sweet, but i needed it.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Osaka is just a short drive away. I heard that the street food scene there is insane. I’m talking takoyaki, okonomiyaki, the whole shebang. my neighbor, Mr. Tanaka, keeps offering me pickled plums - i politely decline every time. he’s a lovely old man, though, always tending to his bonsai trees. and then there’s the family across the street - the yamadas - they’re obsessed with karaoke. i swear, i heard them belting out ABBA at 3 am last night. it was… a lot.
I’m trying to keep my expenses down, which is proving to be a challenge. i’m mostly staying in a tiny Airbnb in gion - it’s charming, but the shower is… questionable. i’m relying heavily on Yelp for restaurant recommendations - Yelp Kyoto - and TripAdvisor for things to do. i’m also trying to embrace the local culture, which mostly involves eating ramen and getting lost.
Here’s my gear list, because apparently, that’s what everyone wants to see:
Fujifilm X-T4 & extra batteries (obviously)
Film - Kodak Portra 400 (for that vintage vibe)
Portable charger (because my phone hates me)
Rain cover for my camera (seriously, it’s always raining)
Comfortable walking shoes (i’m doing a lot of walking)
Pocket wifi (essential for staying connected - Sakura Mobile)
I overheard some drunk tourists at a bar last night saying that the Golden Pavilion is overrated. someone told me that the Nishiki Market is a must-visit, but be prepared for crowds. i heard that the Fushimi Inari Shrine is breathtaking, but you’ll need a full day to explore it. take it with a grain of salt, obviously. i’m just here to soak it all in and try not to spill my matcha latte.
and okay, one last thing - i’m pretty sure i saw a ghost today. just kidding… mostly. it was a really old woman sitting on a bench, staring into space. it was unsettling, to be honest. maybe it was just the humidity.
seriously, if you’re planning a trip to kyoto, do it. just be prepared for the rain, the crowds, and the occasional existential crisis. and maybe bring a really good umbrella.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/kayseri-nights-and-contrary-weather
- https://votoris.com/post/rainsoaked-alleys-and-rogue-spray-cans-in-tallinn
- https://votoris.com/post/omdurman-unfiltered-street-art-rent-hikes-and-tea-rules
- https://votoris.com/post/jacksonville-traffic-how-long-you-stuck-real-talk
- https://votoris.com/post/fortaleza-where-humidity-hits-different