DAY 6 (KYOTO) August 8, 2024. (repost from KCR/ER1 Japan Tour 2024)

It was the second day of our stay at the Vessel Hotel in Kyoto today. We ate breakfast as usual, and loaded up on the first coach bus of the trip. Our first stop was the Golden Pavilion, “Kinkakuji”, a zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. It also houses Buddha’s ashes, and serves as an important spiritual site.

From there, we took a brief bus ride which was supplemented by an origami session. Led by our guide Nobu, we made samurai hats, as seen below.

We arrived at Arashiyama bamboo forest where we explored a sea of deep green built almost entirely of bamboo stalks. The forest also featured smaller features such as fountains and small shrines. We were also able to cool slightly due to the shade provided.

From there, we took public transportation to Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine which boasts approximately 10,000 torii gates which lined the paths up the 233m tall mountain Inari. At this point, the heat was pounding and there was little respite in the form of shade or AC. The views while ascending were unique and impressive, and midway through the trip we found smaller attractions, such as a stone that is said to predict the ease of achieving one’s wishes. After following the path up and down the mountain.

Afterwards we took public transportation home, and after a long day of enriching cultures we all had free time. At this point the group split up and took trains to shop or go back to the hotel to get some much needed rest.

Isaac & Andrew