a NOLA girl in a Big world

A bullet train to Kyoto … check.

The 6am boarding time was a bit aggressive, after 2 very long days. Thankfully, the JR to Kyoto from Tokyo was very pleasant. We passed Mt. Fuji (the picture doesn’t capture it’s beauty), we saw a bit of the Japanese country side and most importantly, didn’t have to walk for roughly 2 hours. #SaveTheLegs.

Arriving in Kyoto was hectic. Shocking, I know. The instructions to meet our driver were a bit wonky. But after 30 minutes of traversing the entire Kyoto Train Station we met Steven, our tour guide. A Philippine Native, 5 star chef, car enthusiast, turn tour guide business owner, by way of Dubai. Not who I thought would be our Kyoto tour guide, but 10000% who we needed.

With Usher and early 2000’s music playing as we drove, we headed to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Miles and miles of Bamboo. It was incredible to see. It was “off season” so the trees weren’t as vibrant, but you could easily imagine would it would look like in late Spring/Summer.

We then walked through a bit of Kyoto and of course grabbed Ichigo Ame or Candied Strawberries.

Our next stop was to the Kinkakuji Temple. But remember when I said, Steven was a car enthusiast, well so is my friend David, and naturally Steven and David became fast friends and I not only learned about Kyoto, but the car culture in Japan. Tokyo Drift is REAL.

This temple was stunning and the grounds were incredible. Everything about Kyoto was reminder of the vast culture and history that its in Japan.

The temple was covered in golden and have new meaning to “a golden hour” photo.

Naturally, I did another offering to have an easy, breezy run through Tokyo on Sunday. Ya know, all the help we can get.

Then it was time for “KYOTO”, KYOTO. When I think of Kyoto, I think of the Hokan-Ji Temple. The six tiered temple, with the busy street of vendors, the kimonos and old traditional Japanese style buildings. Even though it was PACKED with tourist, you could still feel the chill and calm vibes of Kyoto.

Like every other shrine/temple in Japan, there is some sort of “legend” or “ritual” that is associated with each landmark and Kiyomizu-dera Temple was no different. The first legend: prisoners were told to jump off of a 100 foot building and if they survived they would join the shogun’s army. Only 8 prisoners survived out of thousands. The second: if you drink from this fountain you will have either peace, love or prosperity. Naturally I went for prosperity, because it seems to be the vibe in Japan.

Ok, so I’m sure you’re wondering when I get to the point of buying a Torii. Well, come to find out the popular Fushimi-Inari Taisha shrines and Torii’s can be PURCHASED. Most of the newer Torri’s are purchased by corporations, wanting to offer up blessings to the universe, for prosperity. There are over over 10,000 Torii’s on the whole mountain and can take up to 4 hours to see them all. So naturally, when I learned I could purchase one, I added it to my “if I win the lottery” list. I’m letting you all know now, if I win the lottery, I’m buying a Torii on this mountain. A BIG ONE.

All in all, Kyoto was impressive. It was exactly what we needed to break up the hustle and bustle of the previous two days in Tokyo. We ate street food, learned the history and maybe was told a “legend” or two – that are probably false, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.