I know it’s been a couple of weeks since my last post, and I can only apologise for the delay – it’s been a busy time! With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to get swept up in seeing people and the Christmas spirit. But anyway, let’s pick up where we left off with the rest of our time in Kyoto.

We started off by waking up at the crack of dawn again to explore the streets of Gion and more!

Strolling through the charming Kyoto on a quiet, rainy morning was pure bliss. While a bit of sunshine would have been nice, the mood set by the rain was perfect for the moment. We made our way to the iconic Hōkan-ji temple.

Hōkan-ji

Originally built in the 6th century during the Asuka period (around 592–710), the current pagoda is a reconstruction of the original structure.

This was a moment I never expected to experience. Let me explain: for one of my university assignments, I had to design an app with a cyberpunk theme. After hours of research, I came across the famous image of the view looking down at this pagoda. At the time, I became captivated by the scene and admired it from my computer screen. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d one day stand there in front of it. And yet, here I was, feeling a deep sense of gratitude simply for the opportunity to see it in person. From the small independent shops leading down the slope toward the historic pagoda, to the overhanging tree with a hint of cherry blossoms, it all felt incredibly surreal. I couldn’t help but feel thankful for this quiet, magical moment.

There are plenty of streets and alleys you can wander down through the city. The streets are lined with old shops, cafes and lots of places to shop for souvenirs! It is a lovely destination to take photos and have a glimpse of old Kyoto.

Tip: As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, leave as early as possible. Crowds start to form around 8 a.m., so you’ll be lucky if you get any photos without people in the frame!

From there, we made our way to the famous Kiyomizu-dera, slowly but surely continuing our ascent.

Kiyomizu-dera

Originally established in 778 during the Heian period, the current structures of Kiyomizu-dera were built in the 17th century. The name “Kiyomizu” translates to “pure water,” inspired by the Otawa Waterfall that flows through the temple grounds. Inside the temple is its most revered object of worship, the Bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion, who is believed to appear in many forms to assist those in need.

The temple complex spans a vast area, starting with the main hall. The large wooden stage extends dramatically over a steep hillside and is constructed without the use of a single nail! Surrounded by forested hills, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. All visitors are asked to remove their shoes before stepping into the hall, but it’s definitely worth the experience.

As we wandered around, my friend and I participated in the traditional “banging of the drum,” a Buddhist ritual meant to preserve peace and energy while aligning the mind and heart with the rhythm of the universe. The handle was a bit awkward to use, but we took a moment to say our prayers, bow, and continue exploring the vast temple grounds. There was a certain Zen quality to the experience as we moved through each step slowly and mindfully, embracing a sense of calm and tranquility.

Afterward, we spent more time wandering through Kyoto’s beautiful gardens and temples, enjoying the tranquility while also navigating the crowds. Eventually, we made our way back, heading towards our next appointment in the city.

Making our own perfume!

As some of you may already know, Japan has no shortage of things to see and do, and one particularly fun activity is offered by the company My Only Fragrance. These stores are scattered across the country, but the one we visited was located in Kiyomizu.

In a nutshell, you can create your own signature fragrance by mixing a variety of scents together. The experience typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how long it takes you to choose three scents. The staff are on hand to offer guidance and help you craft the perfect perfume. We even had the chance to watch the employees expertly blend the fragrances, and when it’s all done, you get to name your creation!

I kept mine simple and called it Parfum by Sasha. It has a sweet yet fresh scent, with floral notes and a hint of fresh air (at least that’s how I’d describe it). The price was also reasonable, costing only £25 for a 50ml bottle — and I still have it to this day!

It was a fun and unique activity, perfect for when you’re looking for something different to do or just want to spend time with a friend. With our new fragrances in hand, we ended the day smelling as fresh as we felt!

Bamboo forests and crafting metal

If you’ve researched Kyoto, you’re probably familiar with the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

A bus ride away, this lush and peaceful forest on the outskirts of Kyoto is renowned for its towering bamboo stalks. There are a few different paths you can take to fully immerse yourself in nature, offering a serene and calming experience. We decided to go early once again to explore the forest without crowds. However, despite arriving at 8 a.m., we were still met with a fair number of people. Just around this region of Kyoto you can find some other lovely park trails and areas to explore more shrines, have a picnic or simply have a brisk and fresh walk. One of the highlights of Japan is the endless areas to explore outside in nature and walk.

My honest opinion: I won’t lie, my expectations for this activity were fairly neutral. After reading reviews, we decided to approach it with an open mind, but also with a pinch of salt. The trail itself isn’t very long, and I feel that social media tends to overhype it a bit. While I can appreciate its beauty and recognise it as a lovely destination, there are many other places you can explore where you’re less likely to encounter large crowds If you’re looking to escape the crowds and discover lesser-known spots, I’ve linked an article that suggests some quieter alternative places.

Ringram

Later in the day, we took a long train and bus ride back into the city for our final appointment of the trip.

Ringram!

This experience lets you design and create your own ring, either with a friend or loved one. You choose the material (gold or silver), the size and width, and begin crafting your creation. I won’t spoil the process too much, but there’s a step-by-step guide to help you make your ring (which you can see on my TikTok).

You can choose from various shapes, sizes, and designs, as well as additional customisations, with different options altering the price and the time it takes to complete your ring. It’s a fun and creative process that lets you express your artistic flair while creating something personal and meaningful to keep forever.

One thing to note: if you want to include a gemstone, the company will handle the setting, and you can either have it shipped to you or pick it up later.

I had a wonderful time designing and completing my ring, which is incredibly shiny and goes perfectly with my other jewelry! I even had “Sasha Japan 2024” inscribed in Kanji inside the band. It’s a great experience to share with someone, creating a sentimental memento to take home.

After spending an hour (or more) making our rings, we headed to the nearest restaurant that didn’t have a long line.

My first sake

Of course, when in Japan, you have to try two classic alcoholic beverages: beer and sake.

Now, I’m not much of a drinker, especially when it comes to beer, but I decided to try some sake! It was incredibly sharp, and I believe I had Amasake, but to be honest, any sake would have probably been strong and sharp for me to handle. I’m not a sake connoisseur, nor am I much of a beer fan, but I don’t think I’ll be ordering either again. That said, I encourage you to give it a try — I’m a firm believer in trying new things, but from my perspective, sake is definitely strong, sharp, and not for the faint-hearted!

As for the beer, I tried Asahi, a classic Japanese brand. While I’m no expert, it was pretty good and I’d definitely drink it again.

Final days

Our final days in Kyoto was simply going on another walk and soaking in all of Kyotos beauty. From walking through the streets of Lion to finally ending our trip by walking along the canal to embrace more cherry blossoms and browse at the local stalls selling all sorts of items. Where we were so busy exploring and trying to fit in as much as possible, it was lovely to simply, stop, take a breath of fresh air and take a slow stroll.

We ended up finishing in Gion in an attempt to spot a Geisha. With little luck, we simply enjoyed the architecture, admiring the buildings and art. There is plenty to explore and offers culture where only a select few other places can.

Thoughts in Kyoto

Now this may not come as a shock, but I think Kyoto has become my favourite place in all of Japan so far. With its charm and atmosphere, the shopping opportunities and natural beauty. Kyoto is a mixture of both tradition and modernity. There is so much to do and see, that you may find it overwhelming. It is the perfect midway point between the south/north and has a great blend of the past and present. The shopping itself offers a range of lovely independent stores aimed for the tourists. I was lucky enough to purchase some wonderful wares in Kyoto such as a silk scarf, handmade and painted mug, a kimono and of course, my own ring and perfume!. It isn’t a place for big brands or international stores which may seem negative to some, but you can find those stores anywhere. Kyoto offers more of a traditional essence and does its best to preserve that.

The only ‘qualm’ I guess I can think of, is the amount of crowds there are in all of the areas. Now this has nothing to do with the people or city itself, but rather if you find yourself wanting to fully enjoy the city and its wonders, then you may either have to get up quite early or go at a quieter season. Now I know that I haven’t explained or mentioned much of the food in Kyoto, but looking back on my gallery, I couldn’t seem to locate many pictures! If you’re looking for a crazy nightlife, sorry to disappoint but Kyoto is much quieter. I would suggest Osaka or Tokyo for that partyesque lifestyle. Kyoto has a more conservative and traditional culture to it, that may seem restrictive to the common tourist. But honestly, I don’t blame them.

In light of the news of certain streets banning tourist, it makes sense for the locals wanting to preserve their way of life. But I guess all cities come with their restrictions in place and if we as visitors can’t respect their rules, then why would they want to share their world with us? We had a great experience in Kyoto, because we did our best to be respectful, polite and friendly. If you follow their rules then you will have a great experience.

As you can see from my multiple days in Kyoto, there is so much to explore and for you to see for yourself, I’m sure you are bound to come here as it is a given, but I hope some of my experiences have inspired you to try it out for yourself!

Thank you for reading my post—I hope you enjoyed.

Until my next blog of intrepid tales on my trails…!