After the winter finals, I went on a family trip to Japan, during which I stayed in Kyoto for three days. This charming city impressed me with its scenery, atmosphere, and culture.
At first sight, Kyoto struck me with its clean air and diverse environment. I stayed near the Kamogawa River, along which I took a stroll on a clear and bright morning. Birds soared through the serene blue sky and floated over the smooth blue river, while people walked and cycled along the nearby path. I paced along a street lined with well-kept gardens and houses, approaching the distant backdrop of mountains. Contrary to larger cities like Tokyo or Osaka, Kyoto is a small and tranquil city with remnants of ancient architecture. I was amazed by the quiet alleyways parallel to the bustling streets, where I observed locals living peacefully in neighborhoods with both traditional and modern features. Even if I got lost on the streets of Kyoto, the scenery of the city streets could calm me down.
Apart from the scenery, Kyoto is ingrained with aesthetic culture. While I missed the cherry blossom season, I was able to visit Kyoto in time to see maple leaves populate the tree branches. Cherry blossoms and maple leaves are both short-lived, and their beauty is symbolic of the beauty of “transience” in Japanese culture. What impacted me most was the fallen maple leaves in Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is the biggest and most famous in Kyoto, with numerous toriis (traditional gates) lining along the stairs to the mountaintop. Some of the toriis were very old, and their wooden bases had decayed. As I saw fallen maple leaves at their feet, I suddenly felt the beauty and helplessness of the transience as reflected in a Japanese haiku: “The world is mediocre/cherry blossoms bloom for a moment/my longing for you is eternal.” (尘世碌碌/樱花刹那/永恒思慕).
During my stay in Kyoto, I observed city life by wandering. I walked along the left side of the street as Japanese people do, I greeted strangers in the native language, and I used public transportation like a local commuter. My trip to Kyoto reaffirmed my belief that real tourism is not merely sightseeing but diving into a city’s everyday life to understand the atmosphere. What I felt in Kyoto was that everyone there lives a calm and organized life, forming distinct freedom based on order. The thoughtfulness for others impressed me, something reflected not only by attitudes but also by the design of public service. For example, when a city bus comes to a stop, it will slowly incline to the platform so that passengers can get off safely; the driver then greets every new passenger as they get on the bus. Additionally, even if the street is full of people, everyone keeps walking to one side of the road to avoid blocking others. These habits are a part of daily life in Japan and are not often visible in other cities.
As the old Chinese saying goes, “Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.” Although I stayed in Kyoto for only three days, its character fascinated me a lot. It reminded me of my hometown of Suzhou, which is also a city with two faces: modern and ancient. When traveling, I always find it interesting to observe how culture and daily life influence each other, and this trip to Kyoto left a deep impression on me. I deeply immersed myself in city life and culture that I can’t learn from mere books.
Other amazing places I visited:
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. You can enjoy the unique architecture of Japanese temples. Near the temple, there are several streets with all kinds of shops from which you can experience Japanese culture. You can also see ladies in wafuku!
Arashiyama (嵐山, Storm Mountain), a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto. It is famous for its natural scenery such as bamboo forests, but there are also temples and even a monkey park. Get ready to enjoy beautiful views while hiking!
Nijō Castle (二条城), a flatland castle in Kyoto. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications (kuruwa), Ninomaru Palace, ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings, and several gardens. From the palaces and gardens, you can learn the history of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Sanjūsangen-dō (三十三間堂, thirty-three ken hall), a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. It is famous for its main hall which contains 1001 standing Thousand-armed Kannon, which is indeed a shocking sight.
Kyoto International Manga Museum. If you are a fan of manga, don’t miss it. Here you can see manga collections of all times and all over the world.
Section Editor: Emily Gonzales
Section: Travel & Culture
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