BlaringSmelly

Kyoto is exactly how I pictured Japan – ancient, elegant, and courteous. For me, being in Kyoto is experiencing the traditional Japan. The food, well-preserved streets and architectures, even people attitudes are part of that tradition.

Higashiyama (東山区)
Higashiyama area houses many ancient temples and shrines. Instead of cramping all the historic sites in our itinerary, we walked around exploring interesting stone paved alleys and stopped by whenever we came cross a temple or shrines.

Ryokan Motonago (元奈古)
We spent one night at Ryokan Motonago. For one day, we got to live, eat, bath, and sleep the Japanese way. For whatever reason, we were not adventurous enough to try the Ryokan’s public bath room. Instead, we showered in our private bathroom and hermit until the dinner arrived. Until this day I regretted for not doing it.

Nishiki Food Market (錦市場)
Behind Daimaru Department Store (which by way the way has the most amazing food court) is the Nishiki Food Market. The market stretched several blocks long, selling everyday Japanese items to locals and tourists.

Pontocho (先斗町)
Kind of hidden between the busy street full of department stores and the bridge toward the glamours theater building. Pontocho during daytime is empty and easily overlooked. But as the evening arrives, the street got lit up by countless restaurant signs. We pick a yakitori place and had ourselves some fine beers and skewed goodness.

Arashiyama (嵐山)
We traveled to the western outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama because a poster ktula spotted at the tourist information center. It’s a poster of bamboo forest. And the real thing looked just like the poster.

Kyoto Station (京都駅)
Kyoto Station is huge. Aside from the station facilities, it also includes a 11-store Isetan Department Store, Hotel Granvia Kyoto, outdoor concert hall, rooftop garden, and countless restaurants and shops. We had some good meals inside the station. One that’s particularly memorable was a bakery called Dong. I’m not a fan of eggs or egg products, but the egg-filled pastry from Donq is just heavenly! I had to guard mine from ktula. He gorged down his in seconds and started eye-balling mine.