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Getaway

Kyoto

By Alexander Schlosser

December 5^th, 2019

Kyoto’s hustle and bustle came as a surprise.

Travel guides showcasing peaceful gardens and shrines can make you think that Kyoto is the perfect place to relax and unwind. One shouldn’t forget, though, that hordes of tourists think the same. No matter which sight you visit, which temple you enter: don’t expect to be alone. And even cycling up to Kiyomizu-dera temple at 6 AM isn’t a guarantee to beat the crowds.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t find a secluded alleyway, a small shop or a local restaurant off the beaten path – there are plenty of wonderful options and this story mostly focuses on these quieter side gigs. However, when it comes to experiencing at least some of the heritage that the city is known for, be prepared for selfie sticks, V signs and raised umbrellas.

A glimpse of the past

In a lot of ways Kyoto boasts what one might’ve been looking for in Tokyo: the hustle of a jammed downtown area with endless traffic jams and faceless shops, the myriad of attractions to please the crowds and the never-ending stream of tourists that makes Lucerne’s Schwanenplatz look like a mere joke.

Don’t get me wrong: Kyoto is a beautiful place and cycling through the maze of alleyways in the early morning is somewhat magical. It’s a city that’s definitely worth the visit, a city that shows its best side when one is wandering around the hilly outskirts with their small houses glistening in the setting sun.

It’s a place that’s on so many people’s list for a good reason – and that certainly doesn’t disappoint in giving you a glimpse of what life in Japan might’ve looked like centuries ago. I’m glad that I went and I wouldn’t mind coming back – Kyoto just didn’t fascinate me in the same captivating way that Tokyo did.

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