The weather was unfortunately really bad (typhoon). It prevented us from attending 2 great festivals and from visiting the many temples and gardens we had on our list (just look at the extensive list of ‘things to do next time’, below …). It’s a pity since those are the highlights which Kyoto is known for. We nevertheless had a nice stay, in a comfortable and well-located Airbnb.
It was a very good introduction to Japan.
We did enjoy the activities we’ve done, mainly:
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- The sumo competition (one of our highlights of the whole trip so far)
- The Kusama’s exhibit at the Forever Museum of Contemporary Art
- Our kaiseki culinary experiences (and also the kaiten-sushi where we went twice)
We still have many things to see next time:
Mainly:
- Ryoan-ji (Japan’s most famous Zen garden)
- Path of Philosophy, and the temples along it, especially Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji (but also Eikan-do and Honen-in)
- Kiyomizu-dera (at the end of the day, for stunning views of Kyoto)
- Nijo-jo (castle) – for me (the family visited it)
- Restaurants: Sushi at Iyomata (in Nishiki Market), Gion Kawamoto (delicious sushi), Itoh Dining (teppanyaki).
But also:
- Tofuku-ji
- To-ji
- Higashi Hongan-ji
- Daitoku-ji
- Koto-in
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji
- Gio-ji
- Okochi Sanso
- Sanzen-in
Note: ji = temple; jo = castle; in = garden