Part 1 : Kyoto
Kyoto was the first stop in our Japan journey, and it felt like the perfect place to begin—measured, intentional, and quietly beautiful. It is a city that refuses to rush you, even when it’s busy. We didn’t try to see everything. Instead, we followed our instincts more than our maps, letting the days unfold with a gentle, unforced rhythm.
Looking back, this is how Kyoto stayed with us.
⛩️Things we saw ⛩️
We began in Gion, letting ourselves get lost in the geometry of narrow streets and weathered wooden houses. It felt cinematic yet effortless—the kind of place that makes you instinctively slow your pace.
One afternoon took us to Arashiyama. Beyond the vertical world of the bamboo forest, we discovered centuries-old shrines standing in quiet contrast to the hum of the crowds. We spent hours strolling through the town, snacking on meat skewers and admiring the architecture of the local homes. There was no checklist to complete; just the simple act of noticing.
At Fushimi Inari, we braved the hike through the endless vermilion torii gates. We weren’t there for the “perfect shot,” but for the experience of the ascent. As we climbed higher, the crowds thinned and the air grew still. Step by gate, it became less about the summit and more about the meditative rhythm of moving forward. At the top, we were met with a panoramic view of Kyoto sprawling beneath a vast, wintry sky.
Most evenings drew us back to Pontocho Alley, where low-lit lanterns glow against tightly packed storefronts. We watched queues snake past spots serving okonomiyaki and yakiniku, while soft laughter drifted into the night air. It was here we stumbled upon tiny speakeasies serving world-class, tea-infused cocktails—a modern, sophisticated surprise hidden in the old-world glow.
🍜Things we ate🍜
Kyoto fed us with a deep sense of comfort. A few highlights where the flavors still linger:
🌸Chao Chao Gyoza: Succulent pork gyozas with the perfect golden crisp. The unexpected star was the chicken wing gyoza—meat stuffed into a wing and deep-fried in a gyoza wrapper.
🌸Gion Tanto: Our very first meal. We sat hunched over a warm iron grill with sake in hand, sharing okonomiyaki and yakisoba. It set the tone for the entire trip.
🌸Ichiran: Our introduction to peak Japanese efficiency. While the ramen is iconic, the matcha pudding was the surprise hit of the meal.
🌸Konbini Food: An accidental highlight. My husband embraced the viral Famichiki-and-pancake combo, swearing it was the best breakfast of the trip (and eating it almost every other day to prove it).
☕Things that filled our cup ☕
♡ Sunset in Pontocho: Watching the lamps flicker to life as the city softens into evening.
♡ Dawn at Kiyomizu-dera: Walking the steep cobblestone roads while the neighborhood slowly exhaled. Watching the locals begin their day—unhurried, but purposeful—felt like a gift.
♡ The Ritual of the Lens: We brought a small camera along, and learning to use it together became a core memory. Each night, we’d pore over our photos—reliving moments, laughing, and selecting favorites to send home. Doing this over dinner and long conversations felt just as vital as the sightseeing itself.
♡ Timelessness: The simple luxury of eating without once checking the clock
✨Things we accidentally fell in love with✨
🌱Matcha in every form: From parfaits to mochi skewers, the flavors surprised us. Even my husband, a long-time mochi skeptic, admitted the Kyoto versions were unparalleled.
🌱The Quietude: How calm the city felt, even in its busiest corners.
🌱The Art of Getting Lost: How easy—and rewarding—it was to lose our way.
🌱The Timeline: Finding that four days was the “sweet spot” to settle into the city’s heartbeat without feeling rushed or weary.
🕊️Things that followed us home🕊️
☾ A New Perspective: Walking the gates at Fushimi Inari—a place that had been my phone wallpaper for a decade—reminded me that moving forward slowly still counts as progress.
☾ Intentionality: The realization that not every moment needs to be documented to be deeply felt.
☾ Gentleness: The idea that wandering, when done with an open heart, is more than enough.
And of course, unending magnets and memories! ♡
Kyoto was a soft, grounding beginning. Just as we grew comfortable with its pace, it was time to change gears. Our next stop was Osaka—louder, warmer, and far more indulgent.
That’s for Part 2.
Ever wandering,
Mira ⟡