A couple of
weeks ago Matt and I snuck off for the weekend to Kyoto, Japan. We hopped on the Shinkansen (bullet train)
and headed south. Kyoto is a beautiful
historic city that was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until
1868. It is home to the Nijo Castle,
Nishiki Market, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and countless shrines and temples.
We rented bikes
and discovered the city through its back roads, restaurants, hidden alleys, quiet
cafes, and friendly people who couldn’t wait to share their city with us.
Here is what we
found...
The Kamo River - where you can see the backs of restaurants from Pontocho. Pontocho is a narrow alley with a wide range of restaurants. The area is lit by traditional paper lanterns and is known for their tea houses and geisha. And, apparently, a reservation is needed in most restaurants! 
T
he Fushimi Inari Shrine - home to thousands of torii gates.
The Kiyomizudera Temple - known for wooden terrace.
 |
| These students asked us for help in practicing their English. Very, very cute! |
Lunch time!
The Heian Shrine.
The Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), a Zen temple.
The Nishiki Market, known as "Kyoto's Kitchen".
The Nijo Castle. This was one of the best places that we saw in Kyoto. It was home to the first shogun of the Edo Period. It is grounds to a castle and beautiful gardens. The entire complex is surrounded by multiple defense systems - including gates, walls, and moats.
This was such an amazing weekend and I would recommend it to anyone traveling in Japan. It is a far cry from the craziness of Tokyo, but has its own charm and is worth the trip.
Until next time, love (and cheers) from Japan!
*All of my information was taken from Japan Guide (the ultimate way to get around in Japan!)
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