Kyoto - where history, nature and beauty blend

Japan’s former capital for over 1000 years was our first stop on our month long travel through Japan. Ever since I first laid eyes on this city, I fell in love – it’s full of history, stunning buildings and breathtaking gardens, old samurai quarters, Shinto and Buddhist temples, wonderful bamboo and forest walks; you can eat the best fried chicken on earth here – next to all the other exquisite Japanese cuisines – and it has this intriguing and ‘pop-star-ish’ culture around Geishas and Maikos.

And then of course there is Dale – my English teacher from 21 years back when I was in San Francisco. I always love to be around him and catch up with him, listen to his great songs (ah yeah dear, where is my song…? Oi!), while savoring over his mouthwatering garlic bread paired with (more than one of...) his famous Manhatten.

You could spend weeks in Kyoto and it’s surrounding area and won’t get bored. We spent five days in total and it was not one day wasted:

Being introduced to the difference between Shintoism and Buddhism and their rituals, we were shown around the lesser-visited areas in town along with the classical World Heritage sights by a lovely knowledgeable guide. He was a great storyteller and historian, told us background stories, one of which is the important role of the tearoom in a Samurais’ house and why it has this small and low angle door to enter from the outside.

Waking up early to be the first to stroll through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama is one of my favorites. It's magical to catch the first rays of sunlight shine through the tall trees; to hear their meditating clicking sound when the wind rocks them gently back and forth until they touch one another.

Taking a walk through the well-visited Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, the fox trail, with its many shrines and cemeteries is a fantastic way to spend a half-day..

Making a day trip to Nara to see its magnificent gardens, wonderful shrines, and enormous Buddha statue.

Being amazed by the beauty, size, and history of the Himeji Castle.

And last but not least to witness with a knowledgeable guide the ‘business opening day’ of the Geishas and their apprentices called Maiko in Gion and Pontocho districts. They wore stunning black kimonos and rice stalk-shaped “kanzashi”, ornamental hairpins. You could hear the 'clock-clock, clock-clock' of their traditional wooden shoes echoing in the streets, while they went from one teahouse to the next to exchange New Year’s greetings.
What a spectacle to witness! There were dozens of them walking through the narrow streets, closely followed by hordes of photographers and tourists. Thanks to our great guide who knew the more hidden teahouses, we enjoyed lesser-crowded sights and encounters.