CHEF’S NOTE

KYOTO- The PLACES that STAYED with ME

Kyoto is not a city to “do”. It’s a city to walk, to observe, to feel.

Here are the places that truly stayed with me, not a complete guide. Places that, I believe, are worth experiencing. I did much more but, make sure to add those to your next trip. And save this post to make sure you’re not missing it.

Preparing a trip to Kyoto can feel disorienting. So many temples, so many addresses, so many guides promising the perfect route. But Kyoto doesn’t reveal itself through a checklist. It opens slowly, through details, colors, light, and the quiet energy you carry as you walk.

I stayed six days in Kyoto, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so consistently moved by beauty. It was my third time there, but my first during autumn, something I had dreamed of for a long time. Late November, early December… I still don’t quite have the words for what those days stirred in me. Uji included.

Kyoto asks for time and I do feel that three days is definitely not enough.

You need space to explore the center, the east and west, to go to Arashiyama, and to wander further and experiences things. I walked between 17 and 20 km a day because paths naturally lead from one temple to another, with small pauses in between: a garden, a tea room, a quiet street bathed in autumn light, a small shop, another temple a ceramic shops.

You need a plan, yes, but make sure to leave room in between.

Where you stay depends on your energy.

If you plan to be outside all day, walking endlessly, a simple base is more than enough. That’s what I chose: a quiet place to come back to, because my days belonged outside ; observing and absorbing all the beauty of Kyoto. Just know that to truly enjoy temples, you need to be there early. Very early. At 6:30am, some places are already crowded.

I would recommend avoiding the most touristic areas around the main pagodas. Wander further. Take the longer routes, go far and deep.
The magic often begins where the crowds end.

And, if you have time, I strongly suggest going to Uji. Walk quietly along the small river, away from the commercial streets. In autumn, it’s deeply peaceful. I loved it and not only for the Matcha shops (mostly sold out for Master grade so, if it’s your goal, just don’t).

I didn’t book restaurants in advance for Kyoto. I enjoyed simple, delicious sashimi from high-quality depachika, eaten quietly at my hotel. Otherwise, I went for unagi. I saved the full omakase experiences for Tokyo, where I enjoyed some truly memorable Omakase. I have to share the five I did..