For the longest time I had dreamed of coming to Japan, and along with that, I yearned to visit Kyoto the most. Everything I had read and been told suggested that Kyoto was the place to go to see the traditional part of Japan. From shrines to geisha, the food, the art, it was constantly in the back of my mind during my time in Japan. Though I had succeeded in making it to Japan, I was staying far away from where Kyoto is (basically the opposite side of Honshu, the biggest of the Japanese islands). Still, I had made it to Japan, so I was one step closer to reaching my goal. As my winter break came closer, I knew that this was my chance. I made the necessary reservations and set out for my next adventure!

Though I have the heart for adventure, most travels cost money, and my wallet isn’t exactly the biggest. Therefore, taking a bullet train would have been a bit too much (close to $300 round trip). A much cheaper alternative was to take a night bus. The trip would take longer, but I would ensure that I had money in my pocket to do all the things I wanted in Kyoto. I opted for a company known as Willer Express, and they weren’t too bad. For about $160 round trip (possibly cheaper during a not so busy season, and if you buy tickets earlier) you get a seat, blanket, a visor attached to the seat to block out the light, and a power outlet to charge your devices. As far as the comfort level, it’s what would be expected. The advantage here is price, not luxury. I didn’t get the best sleep, but I managed to get maybe about 4 – 5 hours total during the 8 hour trip.

Around 7am I had finally arrived to my destination: To be honest, it felt like a dream! I had imagined this moment for so long, now that I was actually here it didn’t seem real. I walked along the road, stopping to admire a nearby river. The rushing water accompanied by a flock of small cranes taking in the morning sun helped encapsulate this picturesque first impression of Kyoto. I was entranced by the beauty, and I hadn’t even begun to explore what was on my list!

After a few minutes, I set off towards my hotel to drop off my luggage in order to leave myself free to explore my surroundings more. I would be staying at the Kyoto White Hotel, which I highly recommend to those staying in the area, as it provides good accommodations, and is within walking distance of the main station.

My first destination was something that’s probably not on everyone’s travel list to Kyoto, but it was an absolute must for me. Fortunately, it was relatively close to my hotel (about 5 minutes on foot). I walked from the main streets into the narrow side streets, checking Google Maps every to makes sure I was heading in the right direction. Soon, I saw that which I had been searching for:

This is the original Nintendo building. For those that are unaware, before Nintendo made video games they were a playing card company. During that time, they had their headquarters in the office pictured above. When they changed direction with their company, they moved their office location as well, but the old building still remains. As Nintendo was a tremendous part of my childhood, I knew I had to visit the original building. When I finally did see it, I was in complete awe. My inner child was ecstatic as I marveled at the architecture, which is more detailed than I imagined and looked amazingly intact for an abandoned building. It really does stand out compared to the other surrounding buildings. On either side of the entrance hung a green plaque identifying the building (both in English and Japanese). I took my photos and admired the the site for a bit longer before heading out again. (note: Though the current Nintendo building is also in Kyoto, I didn’t think it was really worth checking out. It’s kind of plain and boring to look at, and they don’t offer any sort of tours if you do go).

The next stop would be Fushimi Inari Shrine (or Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社). This Shinto shrine houses the Shinto god of foxes, Inari, but is probably most famous for the numerous amount of archways (known as torii 鳥居 in Japanese) guests can walk through. I knew there would be a lot of arches, but it wasn’t really put into perspective until I was actually walking through them that I realized just how many there were. First there are extremely large arches as you’re walking towards the main area, then you have the famous ‘thousand arches’ that stretch on for longer than I had imagined. In addition, there’s not just one path of archways to walk through, but multiple, sometimes breaking off into two separate paths. There are even small areas with a shrine of mini arches. In short, there are a lot of arches to be seen here. Most (if not all) of the arches have writing on them, which apparently shows the name of the people or company that donated money for that particular arch. Compared to the countless other shrines in Japan (which each have their own charm), this one stands out as being rather unique. To top it all off, it’s completely free to visit!

Kinkaku-ji （金閣寺）was the next stop. This is the famous golden temple that is on the travel list of many people visiting Kyoto. After buying an entry ticket there is a path that leads to the main temple area. Even walking down this path was enjoyable for me; the trees and moss created a natural environment that I adore. It was winter at the time, but I’d be interested to see the surroundings during other seasons, especially spring and autumn.

After a bit of walking the famous landmark was within view.

Surrounded by lush greenery and crystal clear water was the golden Buddhist temple Kinkaku-ji. This is something I had seen in pictures many times before, but seeing it in person was a much different experience. The temple (which is more gold than I imagined) along with the surrounding nature created a captivating image that drew my complete attention. A closer look of the temple can be seen from the other side, where the architecture can be admired even better. It is also a good place to view the koi which inhabit the pond surrounding the temple. This was probably my favorite stop during my time in Kyoto, and one I would absolutely recommend to all who visit!

Next on the list was Arashiyama Bamboo Grove , where tourists can walk through and admire the large stalks of bamboo. It was at this part of the journey that it began to rain. Though there was a light drizzle during the visit to Kinkaku-ji, it became necessary  to bring up the umbrellas at this point in the trip (always come prepared!). Honesty, I think the rain enhanced the experience a little. Having the sound of rain hitting the ground and umbrellas, looking up at the stretching bamboo, the two paired together nicely to create a calming environment. I also admired the mossy ground on either side of the pathway during the walk to the grove (lots of green to be seen here). As much as I enjoyed the rain, it was nice to have it die down upon leaving the grove.

Last stop for day one was Kyoto Tower. Nearby Kyoto Station, this tower is an iconic landmark in the area, and great for helping travelers with a poor sense of direction find their way (like me!). From the top of the tower, the surrounding areas can be seen  from a bird’s eye view. It was night, so I got to see the bustling city streets lit up during my visit there. The viewing area of the tower allows guests to see the city from any angle, and includes interactive screens with maps and information about buildings and other landmarks in the direction you are facing. As I looked out, I noticed that it had started to snow outside! I’m beginning to notice a pattern: Whenever I go on a trip, the weather can never be good. Usually it usually involves some kind of precipitation, so much so that some of my current students refer to me as ‘the rain man’ (no connection to the Dustin Hoffman film). Still, the view was quite nice, and I admired it for quite a while before deciding to head back down.

Upon returning to ground level I went back to my hotel, ending my first day in Kyoto. Looking back, it was quite a busy day, but very eventful! Once I had a chance to settle into my hotel, my fatigue began to set in (the night bus and little sleep had much to do with it, I’m sure). It was time to get some rest to have enough energy for the next two days.