Tea Fragrance, Cobblestone Streets, and a Timeless Afternoon

This time, my Kyoto trip wasn’t about visiting specific attractions. Instead, I embarked on a slow journey guided by my taste buds. From matcha ice cream at a street corner to a warm cup of matcha in an old tea shop, every bite felt like Kyoto speaking to me. Sunshine, cobblestone streets, and a leisurely pace made the trip just perfect.

📍 Kyoto City (Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama)
The charm of this ancient city lies in its details. Whether it’s the narrow alleys of Gion, the cobblestone paths near Kiyomizu-dera, or the area around Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto always exudes a quiet elegance. Every turn reveals matcha dessert shops, machiya-style cafes, or the silhouette of a woman in a kimono.

📍 Matcha Desserts and Ice Cream Shops (Recommended areas: around Yasaka Shrine, Uji, Arashiyama)
Kyoto’s matcha is truly a safe bet wherever you go. Whether it’s intensely bitter matcha ice cream or matcha in the form of mochi, mille-feuille, or lattes, every bite has its own unique flavor. The matcha soft serve I bought on Arashiyama’s shopping street was the most memorable taste of my entire trip.

🚄 Transportation
【Kyoto City】
．From Osaka, take the JR or Keihan train, which takes about 30–60 minutes.
．Within the city, the "Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass" or subway is convenient for getting around.
．Popular areas like Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, and Arashiyama are accessible by direct bus routes.

【Recommended Matcha Shops】
．Itohkyuemon (Uji Main Store / Kyoto Station Store)
．Tsujiri (near Yasaka Shrine)
．Nakamura Tokichi Main Store (inside Kyoto Station or Uji)

🫀 Personal Thoughts
The beauty of Kyoto isn’t something that rushes to reveal itself to you. On the train ride from Osaka, I was still scrolling through my phone, but as soon as I stepped into Gion, everything slowed down—the air felt cleaner, and the sounds quieter. The sunlight was perfect that day, and as I walked, I enjoyed a matcha ice cream bought from a roadside stall. Its bitter tea aroma was unlike the sweetness I expected, but it was incredibly satisfying, so much so that I went back for another.

Later, I strolled to Kiyomizu-dera, passing through alleys lined with old houses. Along the way, I was drawn into a matcha dessert shop where I ordered a matcha parfait and a warm cup of matcha. The aroma had a magical quality that made me feel calm.

What I love most about Kyoto is that it doesn’t try too hard to impress you. It simply stands there quietly, letting you take your time to feel and understand it. Walking on cobblestone streets, listening to the echo of footsteps, and savoring a bite of bittersweet matcha ice cream—that moment, I felt like I had become part of Kyoto’s timeless essence.