Day 6: Bye bye Tokyo - Hello Kyoto

Today, it was time to say farewell to Tokyo as we continued our journey to Kyoto. To make absolutely sure we wouldn’t miss our Shinkansen, we headed straight to Tokyo Station by subway right after checking out.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a train station that massive before! And even then, finding the right entrance to the Shinkansen platform turned out to be a bit of a challenge. But of course, we made it there in time, and at exactly 13:39, our Nozomi Shinkansen train departed—right on the dot. We had reserved seats with extra luggage space, which turned out to be very convenient. I would definitely recommend this to any traveler carrying larger suitcases.

At precisely 15:51, we arrived in Kyoto. From the station, we took a bus to our Ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse located in the Ninenzaka and Sanneizaka area with beautiful, historic streets that lead down from the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We were warmly welcomed by Hirotyo, who showed us around the Ryokan. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami floors, futon beds, sliding doors, and often a hot spring bath. It’s a peaceful, authentic way to experience Japanese culture.
After the welcome we set out to explore the streets nearby. In the evening, the tourist crowds had luckily thinned, and it was peaceful and almost magical, a side of Kyoto that feels calm and authentic without the bustle of daily tourists.
When we returned, Hirotyo greeted us again. Steff enjoyed a beer, while I was served a plum wine—a Japanese liqueur made by steeping unripe plums in alcohol and sugar. The flavors blend and mature over several months, resulting in a sweet and tangy drink that’s much lighter than whisky or other spirits.
We learned that Hirotyo is a law student. I even caught a glimpse of his textbook—absolutely packed with complex characters! And no, it wasn’t the plum wine’s fault that I couldn’t understand a single thing!

I’m excited to experience more of Kyoto tomorrow! 😎Read more