I work for one of the country’s leading luxury travel companies. I manage all of their wonderful programs to Asia, and as a result, have contacts at Asia’s finest resorts and hotels: from the Four Seasons to Banyan Tree to Peninsula. The hotel managers and sales directors are always trying to get me to stay at their hotels, and if needed, I know I can take a luxurious trip to practically any idyll in Asia for a vastly reduced rate. But before you get too jealous, I’ll reveal to you that I’ve never taken advantage of this great perk because I have a problem. The problem is my husband K.
K loves Kyoto. He can think of nowhere else he would rather be. When we were planning our upcoming trip I presented many tasty alternatives: How about sampling savory street food in the markets of Luang Prabang? Hiking in flower-strewn valleys alongside yaks in the shadows of the Himalayas in Yunnan, followed by butter tea and Tibetan-style momos? A yoga session at a palace hotel in Jaipur, followed by a multi-course Rajasthani feast of subtly spiced dishes never found in the US?
Nope. It has to be Kyoto.
And who can blame him? Kyoto has it all: it’s skyline dotted with temple roofs and pagodas; winding streets lined with lattice-front machiyas that have been converted into restaurants, galleries and boutiques; contemplative gardens that get better with each visit and hidden shrines tucked into alcoves among busy shopping streets.
And then there’s the food! We can’t understand why people say the food in Kyoto is hit-or-miss. We have yet to have a bad meal there. After all, some of the best ingredients are produced within the city: from silky artisan tofu that hardly needs soy sauce, to yuba that melts in your mouth with such decadent richness it’s hard to beleive its healthy, to seasonal locally grown kyo-yasai (Kyoto vegetables) picked fresh that day, the talented chefs have a multitude of material with which to work their magic.
And magic is what they create, from a long culinary history unique to Kyoto. I could go on and on, but that would take a book and a lifetime.
As if we need more reasons, there are the people. Elegant and proud, the people of Kyoto have exqusite taste and refinement that is steeped in history, yet embrace the new and trendy with gusto. It is such a fascinating mix we are never bored – not even for a second. And if you as a visitor are earnest and truly interested in their culture, the locals are more than willing to share its secrets with you.
This is why we return again and again. We leave in less than 10 days, and can hardly wait. Perhaps K will broaden his horizons in the future, but for now I’m more than content to continue our love affair with Kyoto.
How about you? Have you been lucky enough to experience a stay in Kyoto? What do you think of the city?
Risa, your husband isn’t the only one who wants to always return to Kyoto. My partner and I are in love with Japan and find ourselves constantly trying to decide if we want to deviate from Kyoto and head to Tokyo or elsewhere. Frankly, I think our friends question our sanity at this point for not wanting to venture to other countries. However, our hearts and minds have been tied to Japan for too many years. While my passport may say United States of America, my heart loudly beats for Japan and everything it has to offer, especially the food, tableware and people. Whenever I land in Japan I feel as I am returning home once again.
Hi Mora,
Such a lovely post. I’m so happy to find a kindred spirit! That’s exactly how we feel when we land at Kansai or Itami, and the feeling gets even stronger as we arrive in the city proper, and our hearts beat loudly when we arrive in our ‘hood.’ Yes, that’s right- we even stay in the same place each time!
I really have business to conduct, as well as research for the site, in Tokyo, but it’s so hard to ever leave. I keep saying ‘next time!’
Hello again. You’re happily in Kyoto by now. I wanted to share with you one of my favorite blog sites about Japan: japanlivingarts.com. Perhaps you’ve already seen it. Steve Beimel is a multi-cultural treasure who bridges the cultures of Japan and the West. In fact, he was the one who told me not to miss your site. His weekly installments are a delight to read and all too often bring back fond memories for me of our visits to the same places. Be sure to visit his site and tell him hello.
All the best,
Mora
懐かしいな！
Your writings about Japan bring back many good memories whether of Kyoto or Japan in general. I found your website from a friend who had lived in Japan, like myself. I like your site as it has many things I enjoy in life whether it is good food, sites and sounds on either sides of the Pacific and ceramics. I was in back in Kyoto again this spring after an eight year absence and enjoyed on of my favs yatsuhashi as well as many other little specialties of Kyoto.
Cheers,
Kris
Hi Mora,
Thanks so much for sending Steve`s site to me. I`ve known him for many years (thought we`ve never met in person) and lost touch with him recently. I will definately look him up through his site while we`re in town, as I would love to finally meet him!
Hi Kris,
Welcome! I`m sorry I haven`t responded until now, but am finding it hard to find good internet connections near my hotel in Kyoto. I`m happy to hear you`re enjoying the site and look forward to hearing your comments. I`m ashamed to say I don`t know what yatsuhashi is, but I suppose that is no surprise, as every day I encounter new things. Please explain what it is and where to enjoy it!