Kyoto has been incredibly kind to me. Tomorrow I’ll say goodbye to this beautiful city and catch the bullet train back to Tokyo for a couple of final days in Japan. I know I will miss Kyoto.
Compared with Tokyo’s size and intensity, Kyoto feels walkable and welcoming. From the moment I left the train station and wandered the narrow streets to my temporary apartment, I felt at home. There’s an old-world Japanese charm here that blends effortlessly with modern life. The contrast of smartphones and kimonos, Starbucks and centuries-old shrines, is both exciting and humbling. Traditional Japanese and Buddhist customs are visible everywhere: tucked alleyways barely wide enough for two people, and small shrines wedged between apartment buildings. I’ve been delighted by the abundance of mochi—an ancient rice cake that’s been enjoyed for over a thousand years—sold on nearly every corner.
My favorite experiences during the week in Kyoto were my two trips to Arashiyama—highlights of which are shown in the video below.
For centuries the temples and natural scenery of Arashiyama have attracted visitors and worshippers from across Japan and beyond. On my recent visits I explored several notable spots:
Bamboo Forest
The mountainside park (not shown in the video)
Tenryu-ji Temple, with its beautiful gardens and serene atmosphere
Shigetsu Shojin Ryori at Tenryu-ji — a peaceful vegetarian temple meal that showcases seasonal flavors
Iwatayama Monkey Park
I also visited Arashiyama on a rainy evening during my third night in the city. The falling rain and the setting sun created a truly enchanting scene—mystical and quiet in equal measure.
I still have more to share from this trip: I’ll write about Tokyo and publish a vegan guide to Japan soon. In the meantime, follow my updates on social media where I post daily photos and travel notes.
Thanks for watching the video and reading along. Have you been to Japan? What was your experience like, and are there any places I should visit during my last few days here?