I am so excited to share the highlights of my month long trip to Kyoto, Japan over my uni Summer (in Australia) break which was their Winter.

Kyoto is located in the Kansai region of Japan and is approximately 2hrs and 49mins from Tokyo by Shinkansen (Japan's high speed bullet train). Kyoto is indeed considered by many to be the cultural heart of Japan with its historical value as the imperial capital between 794 and 1868. Nara predates Kyoto as the first imperial capital and is only located about 1hr and 18mins away from Kyoto by train. Much of what remains today is a reflection of the times from the rich cultural, religious and economic influence that stemmed from the Edo period.

Using the Lonely Planet Japan book as my trusty guide and local insight, here were my highlights during the trip:

1. Temples, shrines & zen gardens

There are numerous temples scattered throughout Japan, however Kyoto has the most by far. Amongst the most famous are the Golden temple and Silver pavilion that tourists flock to see each year. Also a definite must see, is the highly popular Kiyomizu-Dera (清水寺) temple. The location in itself is not to be missed as the view encompasses the raw beauty of the natural landscape and instills a sense of calm in oneself.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmXDY3f3P5hU2qDar9yDGsnjzgrS61x5Z1UXTTmmW6WCNr/IMG_8191.JPG Kiyomizu Dera

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPP6bWAFCWrCFb4vEsGYjoSxpAqvRbYgMhApdTizfuBuf/IMG_8217.JPG Popular local wares street "Matsubara Dori" leading to Kyomizu Dera

https://steemitimages.com/DQmdRs1nne4cJJQU1W2xq8NsUmZz3f6Cc68rAfdUQNu6cQj/IMG_8441.JPG Local shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmagHNYEQJhxL4GkXr9tGwXM2aqn3CLAWm4EbZJBGmDQhy/IMG_8446.JPG Water ladle and fountain at shrine entrance for face and hand cleansing

https://steemitimages.com/DQmW8AUVZpT2fN6ZFDKk6Rr9rXe2MnFokNVVFjXhCqTCH9h/DSC00045.JPG Golden Temple "Kinkaku-ji"

https://steemitimages.com/DQmXA3YnaFpdkAoP4nLep3TnxovTFfMCHrM2ASxBS3zToej/IMG_8609.JPG Zen garden at Silver Pavilion "Ginkaku-ji"

https://steemitimages.com/DQmeEY48SZp52XTZQsZcsMKB89D4ygtNMsSqawQGmgFkUvL/IMG_8646.JPG Hilltop view of Ginkaku-ji and parts of Kyoto

https://steemitimages.com/DQmXmQGDRPZPvtGNkv8WLhg5sYYNypiQyZFy7xkSXNdnQh5/IMG_0248.JPG Kamakura Big Buddha "Daibutsu"

2. Maiko for a day

This provided a unique experience to dress and look like a Maiko for a few hours. The place I visited is called Yumekoubou and the studio located in Gion. Having the backdrop in the Gion district gave it a really authentic look and feel.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmSik5jTfaMAhVBjFqUvfDE8MKh1xV2WgYFb9Vhg9QBPSe/DSC_0004.jpg Yumekoubou Studios in Gion, Kyoto

https://steemitimages.com/DQmTrYTDcbFZXFUC1kKF23PDukHPPPTAY8ZjS9oDUR8piAr/MaikoIMG_8056%20copy.jpgYumekoubou Studios in Gion, Kyoto

3. Food

Food was super delicious here, ranging from fast food to local delights, I was never disappointed. My favourite fast food was MOS Burgers and ramen with sardines (sounds weird but was seriously so yum) was my favourite local.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPxkXKL17XzxNGo9djh732tBPpzQGZzRcDntR756eHH2E/IMG_8031.JPGVending machines throughout Japan serve cold AND hot drinks, including hot tea and milk tea!

https://steemitimages.com/DQmdWzm9hVfdohuqmZKBtSHpiCNLtBrNKcZufnjSMNgPYWM/IMG_8256.JPGDelectable dessert #1: Green tea ice-cream sundae with green tea, vanilla and black sesame ice-cream, black sesame biscuit flake, fresh cream, tapioca pearls, red bean paste, vanilla sponge, matcha jelly, matcha macaron

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPU7y5r5uq2umDmc5cFSWt6QobUN6NiGbyPN3E9vC4Cee/IMG_8522.JPGDelectable dessert #2: Mochi ice-cream sundae with green tea ice-cream, biscuit flake, fresh cream, tapioca pearls, red bean paste, vanilla sponge, vanilla jelly, matcha jelly, mochi skin.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmVNRd2UuMdhuuhZSMWJ4o96iAzk1JZCmxSaQ77z6gv2yf/IMG_8425.JPG"Fast food" Bento Box from the train station. Great care is taken to make even fast food look and taste delicious!

https://steemitimages.com/DQmc6im55mjSSSsXBWreebmq92Kq2fCWsygmHUML7rhEshe/IMG_8266.JPGBrown rice tea "Genmaicha" is popular in Japan and has a slight burnt rice taste, very soothing with any meal

https://steemitimages.com/DQmbiT92K8QVoRL2SjAm96ZexLE6W6guYH7d28Gy39rgcJg/IMG_8518.JPGOctopus flour balls "Takoyaki"

4. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

This was such a calm and peaceful place! It's better if you go during a quieter time like early morning, weekday or later in the day.
https://steemitimages.com/DQmb214334cbTLYZSVebGbhVrgNGkCW8UD6Df12xe1VqpzC/IMG_0224.JPG Bamboo Grove

https://steemitimages.com/DQmZnbmyJLeaGPyYu38vXCAqP3Tsd121p7AfLbPtH83zS57/IMG_8119.JPGFortune telling paper strips "Omikuji" at Nonomiya Shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmSiDMs56d3jm3wCWZmHEWb6xGy8ZVYEjEUvyKQ3sAaon2/IMG_8122.JPGShrine goers write their wishes

5. Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fox Temple. When I saw Chiyo running past the bright red gates in Memoirs of Geisha, and I thought "Yep, I'm gonna make it there one day". Once there, it was nothing like I'd ever seen before. The continuous pattern of gates beholds a curious sight where the light and shadows cast a beautiful symmetry. Before the crazed bustle of this popular site, I arrived early in the morning whilst locals offered their prayers at the shrine below the gates. Inari foxes, statues of course, ferociously glare at you as you cautiously walk past the entrance with some souvenirs on the side for sale.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmVdVXbjoiicw3bfqVfhuTyJgbo9s4TSdDDm1wVczE3zPd/IMG_8316.JPGMorning hustle at Fushimi Inari Shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPf5gMnuS791sMDbcNqnqRXHcGCVHu8NQUhAqXHb51FB4/IMG_8323.JPGInside Fusihimi Inari Shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPZZt2ykdubigfamZ8HGgh8irRfKtbNTxhi6vUqKkNk1o/IMG_8325.JPGDetails at the Shine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmUBphNaQFW1rR3BWk3H2XgAXHwbEQzUoo3KQfarvdMWu1/IMG_8326.JPGShrine goers offer early morning prayers

https://steemitimages.com/DQmdbPqpqchEQKtVymoDhuWKktfwKcxv1wkVVsdPHctMMVS/IMG_8328.JPGRed gate souvenirs

https://steemitimages.com/DQmdkVbthAJs3EfxEfcas43rAgnU7C8a6g3nkM2wdXEaWBB/IMG_8327%20copy.jpgInari Fox guarding the Shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmV4ibeYQRwr79KN7qKikwksZz9Humc3eV5tTeBKSHkigG/IMG_8340.JPGFamous red gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine

https://steemitimages.com/DQmTvyfG7ZLvNqTMsZNcYQ3TutLeiNNZFjpehRFykAn3bj2/Fushimi%20Inari%20forestIMG_8346%20copy.jpgBeyond the red gates

6. Around town

This brings me to the end of my short trip in Kyoto. For me, Kyoto is a perfect mix of City, culture, history and nature. I am far from completing my adventure through Japan but I will leave a few snaps that completes my time here.
https://steemitimages.com/DQmNYbTB5xf17qXjJnfQXe7N6Jq2svRz4xrmMhPFsSScTjV/IMG_0131.jpgPagoda at midnight

https://steemitimages.com/DQmRyQoJw8x2eHekiDcTMK7xCZzrfQYoP6Ku8DnPGdDfro9/IMG_0213.jpgWine bears at a local town

https://steemitimages.com/DQmRVca7PHFFthEiwyEAHZpuNgWRaSgjMSsMjpboYaCvBjj/IMG_8167.JPGSakura blossom bonsai, amongst the wares on the main street heading up to Kiyomizu Dera

https://steemitimages.com/DQmUfrYrmKHnvv7GBbK6LHkftrbHekQQwdtRsHrXw99u5B3/IMG_8351%20copy.jpgView from Kyoto Tower

https://steemitimages.com/DQmduvy16Wyb4q4H8yh73ri3yKvt34YKKmrJ8CWaN6B1zvR/IMG_0161.JPGHidden colours of a hiking trail

https://steemitimages.com/DQmcrh1wKKRotJhnmAKGSnyDVFubEdUDMu2RFgevt3idzRM/IMG_0214.JPGEnjoying a leisurely boat ride

https://steemitimages.com/DQme9tAYxsvgTFUZNffGUXg7k3N7AGyXuZwShSvgNqSqPuY/IMG_0233.JPGMountain view from hiking trail

If you liked these travel highlights, don't forget to add me @tatk and stay tuned for more Thoughts According to Kay in my upcoming posts!