Serene and historic Kyoto

Kyoto is a lovely persevered Japanese city with lovely old wooden buildings, numerous gardens and temples, making it the cultural capital of Japan. Many of these sites are also listed on UNESCO. Kyoto is very close to Osaka, so a day trip by train is feasible. Spend a few days to truly get a feel of the area. The city makes you feel like you stepped back in time, which is a marked contrast from the ultramodern Japan of the present. The various temples are absolutely breath taking, even if you are not a believer in the said religion; one place not to miss would be the golden temple of Kinkaku-ji, which is an absolutely beautiful. The gardens are meticulously planned and laid out, making it natural yet ironically man made. The Tori gates at Fushimi Inari-taisha are an icon of Kyoto and a great example of this; you'll feel oddly at zen and relaxed among these seemingly neverending gates. Yet this setting in the bamboo forest gives it a calming effect. Overall, Kyoto is not to be missed. Wander among its many old streets, beautiful temples and calming gardens. Make sure to also sample the fresh and appetizing dishes the city is known for! #city #explore #unesco #travel #kyoto #japan