Let me just start this post by saying I am blown away by the iPhone X camera. I lugged a heavy DSLR all over Japan 6 years ago the last time we were here, and I’ve taken pictures today with my phone that rival the ones from that trip. I’ll include a few in the post but please look at the trip album for more, there were just too many beautiful temples to include in one post.
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out early this morning to visit seven different temples and shrines. It was a gorgeous day, brisk and refreshingly cold – perfect scarf weather – but sunny and inviting. We hit the jackpot on Kōyō, the Japanese leaf change season. Ever since we were here the first time we’ve wanted to come back to Kyoto for this reason, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day.
View of Kyoto City from Temple
We were able to stop in one of the temples and enjoy afternoon Green Tea service. We sat on pillows and a tatami mat in a quiet room. Being in one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the world and having a moment for mindfulness is such an incredible way to recharge.
Green Tea and Youkan
A guide for Mindfulness
Sky Fire
Even though we had an idea of what to expect since this was our second Kōyō, we couldn’t have known how much the day would truly show up for us.
Kōyō
We even saw Komainu protecting the entrance to the Temple!
Komainu at the Temple
I saved the best picture for last, I might actually get this framed as it’s my proudest photo I’ve taken:
Having spent a perfect day outside we headed back to the hotel for some rest before dinner.
Cold Sake made by the owners grandfather
We had dinner at Mikaku – the same Teppanyaki restaurant we ate at 6 years ago. It was surreal to come back after such a long time – most of our relationship in between – getting to have dinner with my best friend at one of our favorite restaurants of all time. It was a perfect ending to a beautiful day.
Waygu Filet frying in beef fat
Japanese cayenne and pepper shakers
This is everything I would want if I ever owned a restaurant
The restaurant is ultra modern with a view of the changing leaves on the street. Our meal included a Kobe filet course, mushrooms in butter, fried onions, garlic fried rice, fried potato, beef miso, potato soup, dessert, and green tea. Everything was incredible, I almost doubted that it would be as good as we’d remembered, but it was.
Potato soup
Tomorrow we are off and away to Osaka – thanks for everything Kyoto!