Kyoto

The 3rd time I visited Kyoto.

Temples and temples, shrines and shrines. It sounds boring but the peaceful atmosphere, tradition is elegantly built by bridges, gardens and wooden architecture; the nature decorates it with various trees and flowers and traditional food, geisha and cultrual art give it life.

The affliction of modernalization can never hurt the root of this old city. Temples stands alone in the green as if the flow of time doesn't affect it a bit. Kiyomizu-dera looks the same and all logs stand still.

I love the green tea and sweet here. But this time I discovered a burger shop at the station which I couldn't stop myself from having it twice before I left. With a large melon soda it is the best junk food I have ever had. How ironic because from now on I only remember this burger rather than all traditional Japanese food when I think of Kyoto.

It snowed on the 4th day when I was in the hot spring. It was so amazing. The snow was as soft as tofu I ate for breakfast and it fell on my shoulder and remind the time when I was having hot spring in Hokkaido, in snow too. I didn't rush back to Kinkokuji for the 2nd time. The scenery of Kinkokuji in snow will also in my most beautiful imagination.

Surprisingly people in Kyoto are so much different from Tokyo. They are nice to foreigners, polite and can all speak English so well. Maybe this city relies on tourism which makes people more receptive to foreign tourists, but also they are striving hard to preserve their culture that is why they have to show the best side to visitors. Anyhow, Kyoto people presented me a more civilized and smart image. Shame to be people who brag themselves as part of a so called metropolitan. I can still remember the warm smile I received everywhere in Kyoto.

I love this place. It is the true Japan.