Kyoyo incredibly rich in culture and history, offering so much more than just stunning sights—it offers a chance to recharge the soul.
Arashiyama: A Natural, Soothing Symphony
We headed toward the famed Bamboo Forest. At the entrance, people were queueing, winding between the traditional rickshaws. Some were dressed elegantly, wearing the traditional Japanese Kimono, which added a wonderful timeless quality to the scene. As we walked deeper, the cool breeze between the impossibly tall bamboo stalks circulated the air, creating a natural, soothing airflow.
Halfway up the path, we spotted a humble gate on the left. It was the entrance to Tenryu-Ji Temple, the first among the Five Great Zen Temples in the region. A short walk through the gate took us to the main building, which faced a large, tranquil pond. Many people were sitting quietly, resting for a while, and truly absorbing the perfect Zen scenery laid out in front of them.
Watching the ripples of the water by the wind, I finally understood what they meant by “Zen.” For the first time all year, my mind felt truly, wonderfully still.
On our way back, we decided to take a different path. We spotted a rickshaw coming from the right. Out of pure curiosity, we turned right and unexpectedly encountered an area featuring some modern art installations—a beautiful juxtaposition of ancient tradition and contemporary creativity.
Fushimi Inari: Walking Through Vermillion History
After the meditative quiet of Tenryu-Ji, we sought a different, more vibrant energy, boarding the train to our final destination: Fushimi Inari Shrine.
You might not know the name of the shrine, but everyone will instantly recognize the iconic Vermillion-colored Torii Gates. Hundreds of these gates lined the path, forming an immersive tunnel of scarlet that stretched from the entrance all the way up the Inari mountain at the back of the shrine. It was an unending stream of color that seemed to pulse with history and reverence—it felt as though we were walking through the pages of time itself.
The sun had set by the time we left the shrine grounds to head back to Osaka. It was a short trip that certainly left more locations on our must-visit list in Kyoto. Nevertheless, it was a perfectly timed, good trip to recharge our soul with the rich, unmistakable Japanese Zen feel. We left feeling inspired and ready to plan our return.