1. We left the tranquility of Nara for one of Japan’s larger cities, Kyoto.
2. …but on our first day there, we did head out into nature once more, to Arashiyama, known for its bamboo forests.
3. “Only you would come to bamboo forests to take pictures of dirt.” – My Brother
4. In all fairness, there were loads more things to see in this nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
5. Flowers…
6. …hills…
7. …branches…
8. …more flowers…
9. …ponds…
10. … and OK, yes, a lot of bamboo. It was the perfect way to ease ourselves into Kyoto before truly exploring the city.
11. That evening, we decided to grab dinner in the picturesque Pontocho area, known as the historic geisha district of Kyoto and cut through by this pretty canal.
12. While we didn’t actually see any geisha on our visit, it wasn’t hard to imagine them crossing these beautiful bridges.
13. We spent quite a bit of time walking around Kyoto in the days that followed.
14. Quite luckily for us, the cherry blossoms were nearly in full bloom everywhere we went.
15. We made sure to pay a visit to Nijo Castle, historically the home of the shogun.
16. I loved the vibrantly painted edges of the gate leading visitors inside.
17. On our last day in the city, we headed out to the Higashiyama district, one of the best preserved. Its serpentine, hilly streets and myriad shops kind of reminded me of Montmartre, especially since it, too, is topped by a place of worship: in the case of Kyoto, Kiyomizu Temple.
18. We were lucky enough to reach the top just in time for sunset.
19. The photos don’t do the bright orange sun justice, but I love the way it’s cradled by these blossoms.