Japan 2014 – Kyoto Day 1

And we are finally in Kyoto! Kyoto center is a very busy area, it is where you can find the train and bus station. Isetann department store is just beside it, Yodobashi department store is just across, and other department stores around the area. Not to mention, the famous Kyoto tower is just across as well. We have booked a room through airbnb. We chose to stay with one of the locals who is renting his extra room for tourists. It’s cheaper than booking a hotel room, plus the check in and check out time are more flexible compared to a hotel. The apartment is just a few minutes away from Kyoto central by feet.

Japan is all about walking, so make sure you wear your most comfortable pair of walking shoes. Though you may find a lot of Japanese women wearing heels, or wedges while trekking or walking, and it really amazes me how they do it. But hey, that’s them, and maybe they really are comfortable wearing heels.

And we finally got to our destination. Our host, Taka, was waiting for us, his apartment is small but comfortable. Just the right size actually. It was VERY clean. The shower and toilet was squeaky clean as well (toilets are my pet peeves, this one is for the books!). Our room was just enough for me and my husband (photo below). The room was really clean and the a/c is working perfectly. There is drinking water readily available for the guests. You can also do your laundry for no additional cost. And you can also cook your food, which can actually help you save money. There is also wifi, so you can post all the photos you have taken during your day tour. All the photos you see in airbnb are accurate. No hidden charges or surprises. Taka is a great host, if not the best. Taka will provide you with all the maps that you will need and will answer all your questions. He is indeed very helpful and accommodating. Just take note, he is a host, he is NOT a concierge or a personal assistant so don’t make him check your train schedules or ask him to look for hotels for you. You can ask him if you could use his laptop to do all these things and I’m sure he would gladly let you use it.

You can check out his place through this link:  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2825839?s=LsN5

Upon arrival, Taka gave us a quick orientation of Kyoto. We we’re suppose to see the Matsuri festival, where there will be a parade of beautiful, humongous floats. The parade was held on the morning of 17 July, but we arrived the evening of 17July due to the typhoon, and so we missed the parade 😦 

We went out for dinner and for an evening stroll around Kyoto. We were able to catch the last float and I was able to take some photos. The sidewalks were full of people, tourists and locals alike, enjoying the festivities during the Gion Matsuri Festival. In one of the photos below, you can see that one of the Matsuri men have raised his robe due to extreme heat, thus exposing his butt hahahahaha. But, the men were game about it and even waved at us after I took the photo. Afterwards, we went for dinner in one of the ramen shops in Gion and it was fabulous!!!! Eating authentic ramen is quite an experience, and Gion in the evening is lovely as well, with all those lights and Japanese lanterns lighted. You can see how clean Kyoto is, even in the evening.

After our fabulous dinner, we went to the Yasaka shrine which is open 24/7. Imagine a shrine in the middle of the red light city district of Kyoto, you would think that it would be noisy and full of garbage, but its not. It was peaceful, and it was clean.

  my husband, with his back on the camera, and our host, Taka.

It was tiring, but a very fun evening stroll. It was safe as well. We just had to maximize our first night in Kyoto, and we were successful. On our second day, we will be seeing more and will be going back to Gion to hunt for some Geishas! I just have to see a real life, authentic Geisha! They just amaze me.

And so, we walk back to Taka’s place (and yes, it was a loooooooong walk, but with beautiful scenery), with tired feet, and happy spirits 🙂