Kyoto Travelogue | A few days of early summer stay in Kyoto

Choosing early summer to come to Kyoto was the right decision. The cherry blossom season had passed, and the hustle and bustle were over, but just like Hangzhou, Kyoto never has an off-season. So, I decided to stay in Kyoto for a few days, living a simple life of eating, drinking, and daily routines, which I found quite enjoyable. Ever since the first day I experienced the crowds at Kiyomizu-dera and Hanami-Koji, I decided not to visit popular tourist spots anymore. Even if my friends criticize me for wasting a trip to Kyoto, it doesn't matter to me. I wonder, as I linger in the ancient streets, taking shelter from a sudden downpour under the eaves, watching passersby and high school students hurry home... how could it be a wasted trip? I still went to Kinkaku-ji to pay homage to Mishima. You need to buy tickets with cash, so be sure to be prepared with cash. A 500 yen ticket to see a glittering stupa is not for nothing; it's about seeing stories, reading history, and paying tribute to the author, as well as the omnipresent deities. In the evening, I went for a walk along the Kamo River. Honestly, the mountains and waters of our Hangzhou are not necessarily inferior to this place, and they are even more layered. But what I want to talk about is the attitude towards viewing mountains and waters. They just sit by the river, doing nothing, not even taking photos, quietly enjoying the breeze, some holding a guitar, softly singing, and enjoying the unique evening. On the way back to the hotel, passing through the alleys I've walked countless times, past the always-closed dan dan noodle shop, I look up at the crisscrossing power lines, and in the distance, the impending darkness of the blue night. In Nishiki Market, most shops close at dusk, and Kyoto's nightlife is hidden in those dimly lit izakayas or in the bars at the corner with a few European tourists. Just like the night in Hangzhou, the night has its quiet presence. Just like that, aimlessly staying in Kyoto for a few days, I will remember this early summer, the sound of the rivers, the tall pines, the soaring eagles, the lonely figures in the deserted streets, the seats covered with moss, and my own calm mood.