We departed the overnight bus from Tokyo and greeted Osaka. Without wasting time we made our way into Kyoto with hordes of business people getting ready to begin their day. Right off the subway from Osaka sits a futuristic complex across from Kyoto tower and tall buildings that boast the names of the most famous video game creators in the world.
As one wanders down the sometimes beautiful, sometimes decrepid avenues you may pass a McDonald’s or perhaps a Unesco World Heritage Site. Kyoto’s temples blend into the neighborhoods with a seemingly nonexistent line of demarcation. Delicately placed Cherry Blossom trees litter the vibrant temples, while other ancient structures boast nothing more than a barren yard of dirt and gravel.
After a long day of cycling around rock gardens, shrines, temples, statues, and palace’s, we returned our bikes and made our way to the city center. The streets were devoid of any people aside from the occasional businessman frolicking around or the lone Geisha or Maiko scampering through a back alley.
Our time was running out, so we relaxed and had a drink on the roof of the giant train station awaiting our bus back to Shinjuku Station. Not a deplorable way to finish up our night in the old capital.
