Kyoto was once the imperial capital of Japan and is famous for its incredible concentration of cultural sites. We arrived by Shinkansen at Kyoto Station, a futuristic mega-hub that feels more like a city than a train station—packed with shopping, restaurants, and even rooftop gardens with sweeping views.
The moment we stepped outside, the scale shifted dramatically. The massive station gave way to much smaller buildings and a more human-sized cityscape. As we headed toward Nishiki Market, the streets gradually narrowed until there was barely room for anything beyond the roadway and storefronts—no trees, no landscaping, just walls of character.
But what those streets lacked in greenery, they made up for in personality. Nearly every corner revealed a unique independent shop—many with stylish, trendy concepts that felt both modern and distinctly Kyoto. Wandering through the neighborhood felt like a treasure hunt, with something interesting waiting just around each turn.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kyoto Railway Museum
After circling Tokyo on the Yamanote Line and speeding from Tokyo to Kyoto aboard the Shinkansen, visiting the Kyoto Railway Museum felt like the perfect next stop. What struck me most was the story of Japan’s post–World War II reconstruction—and how the railways became a lifeline, reconnecting cities, rebuilding communities, and powering the nation’s remarkable recovery.
Tea Ceremony
If you’re going to bother doing a tea ceremony in Kyoto, you might as well dress the part. Friendly staff directed us to the changing rooms, where I chose a bright red kimono—figuring that since I was already out of my comfort zone, I might as well go all in. There are quite a few steps to putting on a kimono, and I was relieved when the process was finally over.
Walking out of the changing room, I was reminded that being a giant in Japan has its hazards—I promptly hit my head on the building’s low ceiling. The impact wasn’t entirely unexpected; padding had been thoughtfully installed in key locations, a clear sign I wasn’t the first tall visitor to make that particular mistake.
The ceremony took place in a tatami-matted tea room.
Onsen Resort
Our final stop in Kyoto was at an onsen resort on the outskirts of town. My travels usually revolve around photography, exploration, and hiking, so staying at a resort where we were completely pampered felt a bit unnatural at first. Still, travel should be about seeking new kinds of experiences, and I’m glad we made the change. The multi-course Japanese meals were a highlight—an adventurous parade of dishes featuring flavors and ingredients I might never have tried otherwise, quite a few served raw.
