一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人's Reviews Page 9/31

As a matcha lover, I already couldn’t get enough of Nakamura Tokichi, so when I had the chance to visit the main store this time, of course I had to thoroughly enjoy all their signature specialties.

Their signature Namacha jelly has a truly unique texture—smooth and slippery with a rich tea aroma. Paired with chewy shiratama dumplings and smooth red bean paste, it’s sweet without being too heavy, making it hard to stop eating one bite after another. Besides the classic sweets, I also ordered a bowl of udon with fried tofu for something savory. The soft, juicy fried tofu had soaked up plenty of broth and was just as excellent. Every meal at Nakamura Tokichi is extremely satisfying. Not only can you enjoy both sweet and savory dishes, but you can also experience the ultimate appeal of expertly crafted tea. I recommend that all matcha lovers try it in person when visiting Kyoto.

After dinner, we took a leisurely walk along Kiyamachi Street and the Takase River, then wandered into the atmospheric Pontocho. It truly is one of the most enchanting ways to enjoy an evening in Kyoto.

After dark, the narrow stone-paved lanes on both sides are illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns. Along the riverbank, the cherry blossoms in full bloom look especially romantic against the night sky and lights, giving the entire neighborhood a distinctive sense of maturity and elegance. As you stroll around, you may occasionally see people moving between the teahouses, which really brings out the rich atmosphere of the ancient capital. If you're staying downtown, I highly recommend setting aside some time in the evening to walk around here and experience Kyoto's quiet, romantic night scenery, which feels completely different from the daytime. The cherry blossoms at night are beautiful in early spring, and they're worth seeing.

I had heard about Nishiki Market for a long time, so I made a special trip there this time. Unfortunately, there were just too many tourists, and it was so packed that it was a little difficult to really experience the local atmosphere.

Still, we did as the locals do and tried the very popular tamagoyaki from Miki Keiran, which was soft, tender, and juicy. We also spontaneously picked an oyster shop and ordered fresh, delicious oysters with cold beer, which satisfied our taste buds. The prices were definitely geared toward tourists, and with the crowds, we just wandered around casually and didn't stay very long. Compared with such noisy and popular tourist spots, I still prefer the peaceful, quiet, and slow-paced mornings in the Japanese countryside.

The place that surprised me the most and left the deepest impression on this trip to Kyoto was definitely Daigoji Temple. The moment I entered the expansive temple grounds, I was captivated by the many tall, lush cherry trees before me. As a gentle breeze blew, petals from different varieties of cherry blossoms looked especially delicate and beautiful against the blue sky, white clouds, and green lawns. When the wind picked up, it even created a shower of cherry blossoms—it was incredibly dreamy.

While strolling around, I unexpectedly came across a charming outdoor tea area where visitors could sit beneath the romantic cherry trees, sip tea, and enjoy the annual cherry blossom viewing season. It felt like stepping into a Japanese TV drama. As for Daigoji Temple's history, it has deep ties to the famous Japanese historical figure Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He once held the grand and renowned Daigo cherry blossom viewing banquet here, and thousands of precious cherry blossom varieties have been passed down at the temple. If you look closely, you can even find the hidden Toyotomi family crest on the roof tiles of the old buildings. Traces of its rich history are everywhere.

Daigoji Temple covers a vast area, combining magnificent natural scenery with historically and culturally significant architecture. It is well worth setting aside an entire day to stroll around at a leisurely pace, fully appreciate the cherry blossoms throughout the grounds, and enjoy an incredibly relaxing spring day in Kyoto filled with cultural heritage.

Hirano Shrine, famous for cherry blossom viewing, is definitely a dream destination that no flower lover should miss during cherry blossom season. This time, I happened to arrive around dusk. Although the sky was gradually darkening and the light was no longer as bright, the atmosphere felt even more mysterious and peaceful.

Entering this historic shrine, I found all kinds of cherry trees throughout the grounds, with so many varieties that it was almost impossible to name them all. The vast sea of pale pink and white blossoms was truly eye-opening, with so much to take in. A faint floral fragrance drifted through the air, complementing the traditional shrine and its tranquil atmosphere. Although the grounds aren't especially large, the entire shrine feels particularly intimate and refined. Strolling through it in the slightly cool evening air, surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom, was such a wonderful feeling. It truly is a perfect place to enjoy the flowers, feast your eyes, and completely relax. An understated gem that I highly recommend.

Compared with the understated simplicity of Ginkaku-ji, the famous Kinkaku-ji is at the top of many people’s lists when visiting Kyoto, so we made a special trip there this time as well. When I saw the dazzling golden Shariden in person, I honestly was quite impressed. Although it was slightly smaller than I had imagined, its brilliant, exquisite appearance was completely different from Ginkaku-ji’s wabi-sabi charm—two entirely different aesthetic extremes. And if you look closely, there really is a gleaming golden phoenix spreading its wings on the roof.

We were very lucky that day to capture Kinkaku-ji’s clear, enchanting, and beautiful reflection on the pond, like a finely crafted work of art standing quietly by the water. After walking around for a while, our feet were getting a little sore, so I took the older members of our group to rest at the tea area inside the temple. In the slightly cool weather, we admired the cherry blossoms dotting the branches and the garden scenery while enjoying hot Japanese matcha and delicate sweets, which warmed us right up. That afternoon spent slowing down and quietly enjoying the traditional Japanese atmosphere was truly a very comfortable, wonderful, and precious memory.

Starting from Arashiyama Station, walk through the lush green bamboo path for about fifteen minutes at a leisurely pace, and you’ll reach the famous World Heritage Site, Tenryu-ji Temple, along the way. The moment you enter the temple grounds, you can immediately feel its calm, solemn sense of history.

After taking off your shoes, walk slowly along the wooden corridor into the historic main hall and quietly admire every intricate trace of history within its architecture. The most impressive part here is definitely the garden’s classic landscaping. In addition to the beautiful scenery created by the distant mountains and pond, as you walk through the garden, you can see cherry blossoms blooming in early spring and discover many unusual flowers and plants that are less commonly seen in Taiwan. Strolling through such a Zen-like Japanese garden and feeling the breeze is truly the best way to enjoy Kyoto’s relaxed pace of life.

When Arashiyama is mentioned, the first iconic image that comes to mind is probably this stunning Sagano Bamboo Grove Trail. From a distance, the densely packed, straight green bamboo stalks really look like a scene from a wuxia novel where martial arts masters face off. It’s both spectacular and unique.

Once you actually enter the bamboo grove, the surrounding noise instantly fades away, and you immediately feel the cool, refreshing shade of the bamboo. When a gentle breeze blows through, the towering bamboo on both sides sways in the wind and makes creaking sounds. The ethereal sights and sounds make it feel as if you’ve stepped into an ancient martial arts movie, surrounded by a sense of mystery. You can’t help but smile and imagine whether an assassin or wandering swordsman might appear around the next corner. This immersive experience, both peaceful and fun, is truly a unique sight that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Arashiyama.

When visiting Kyoto's famous Arashiyama area, one classic experience you absolutely shouldn't miss is riding the Sagano Romantic Train. This time, I rode from Kameoka Station to Arashiyama Station. The trip took about half an hour, following closely alongside the clear, rushing waters of the Hozu River.

Sitting inside the retro wooden train car, I felt a slightly cool breeze blowing toward me. Outside the window, there were not only magnificent river valley views and unusual rock formations, but also beautifully blooming cherry blossoms dotting the branches. Together, the scenery looked like a painting. Although there were quite a few passengers along the way and the train car was always filled with delighted exclamations, the perspective of traveling through the gorge and taking in nature's remarkable creations was still well worth experiencing in person. If I have the chance to come back during a quieter off-season with fewer tourists and enjoy the mountain scenery more peacefully, it would be even more perfect.

Back in the lively Karasuma area of downtown Kyoto, you can spot the striking Daimaru Kyoto building from a distance. It’s not only a beloved local landmark, but also a great place to shop and soak up the urban atmosphere.

When your feet are sore and you’re hungry after shopping, I highly recommend having dinner at the extremely popular nearby restaurant Yakiniku Hiro (Shijo Takakura location). The quality of their wagyu is truly excellent, with just the right amount of evenly distributed marbling. It sizzles on the grill and cooks up slightly crisp on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside. With every bite, the rich aroma and flavor of the meat fill your mouth. Besides the impressive beef, the grilled fish was also outstanding, with no disappointments at all. After visiting Daimaru, stopping by for a premium yakiniku meal that fully satisfies your taste buds makes for a perfect day. Highly recommended for meat lovers.