2022/4/1 - kyoto
The last time I had been to Kyoto was in late fall of 2009, my first time there, a few months after moving to Japan. A trip on the night bus, my guitar case wedged into the narrow space between my seat and the one in front of me, arrival at dawn and a one day trip of huge crowds and firey, vibrant autumn leaves. This time, over 12 years later, my second view of Kyoto was of cherry blossoms in full bloom. A warm, sunlit walk from Kyoto Station through quiet streets lined with traditional houses, shrines and temples, Kamogawa with blue herons, an otherworldly display of samurai armor, climbing uphill until there was a view of the city in the distance.
Kiyomizu-dera, visiting this temple for the first time. Smoky incense mixing with the mountain air, staying there watching the horizon as daylight gave way to gold-dipped clouds and then deep blue as lanterns blinked on, nestled within the tree-lined path below. The view so breathtaking, I forgot the cold of night.
It was an unforgettable time, and I’m looking forward to being in Kyoto again.
