Kyoto remains one of the places I think about whenever someone asks what I loved most about Japan.
More than the major sights.
The temples, gardens and historic streets all deserve their reputation. But what I remember is also the pace of exploring them: the transitions between places, the scenery and the atmosphere of the city itself.
From the Golden Pavilion to the torii gates at Fushimi Inari, Kyoto gave us scenes that looked almost impossible to separate from their surroundings.
Some places deserve time.
It is tempting to treat Kyoto as a checklist of famous spots. I would rather remember it as a destination where each part of the day has room to breathe.
That is what makes it somewhere I would gladly return to.
Not every travel highlight needs to be a big reveal.← Back to all stories