On February 11, our last full day in our Osaka Airbnb, we decided to make a day trip to Kyoto, which was the political and cultural capital for over 1,000 years. It complemented our day trip to Nara, which was the capital for a brief time before this. Unlike many cities in Japan, Kyoto was largely spared from destruction during World War 2, preserving its wealth of temples, shirines, and historic districts. Today, Kyoto stands as a testament to Japan’s past, where centuries old traditions continue to shape the present.
That being said, visiting the imperial palace was a must. Although no longer home to the emperor, it remains a powerful symbol of Japan’s imperial history. The palace grounds, set within Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, showcases elegant traditional architecture, and is meticulously maintained. Standing within the Kyoto Imperial palace, surrounded by the echoes of a thousand years of history was a profound experience. Knowing that generations of emperors walked these same paths, shaping the course of Japan, made the moment feel surreal. The weight of tradition and the passage of time were palpable, a quiet reminder of how much has changed, and how much remains the same.
After this, we made our way to the Ninja-Samurai experience museum. This was definitely a very “tourist:” activity. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless. We got to see pieces of armor and swords that were 700 years old. They taught us a brief history of the samurai, including up to the last one,Saigō Takamori. We also learned that the famous haircut worn by samaria, the Chonmage, was primarily a practical application to pad their heads from the heavy helmets. We were able to try on replicas. Overall, I would rate this experience a 7.5 out of ten. I wish it delved deeper into the history personally, but we still had fun.
A day trip is not nearly enough to experience all that Kyoto has to offer. However, it was still absolutely worth it. Even in just a few hours, we were able to catch a glimpse of its rich history, stunning temples, and vibrant culture. While there’s so much more to explore, every moment we spent there felt meaningful- enough to know we would love to return one day.
-John