Kyoto
in Kyoto, a little half/full day trip i really recommend Kifune shrine area. a bit away from tourists (kyoto is getting hit hard with tourism…) train to Kibuneguchi, then a bus up to the shrine, or walk up there is nice too, then walk across the mountain to Kurama and can take the bus/train back to kyoto from there. beautiful nature and even a hot spring (Kurama hot spring) https://maps.app.goo.gl/gZvdz4hwB3Sw2Cyf6
also in kyoto i really recommend (instead of Arashiyama, it’s crowded and touristy) — going the other way up to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple and Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple. it’s quieter and they also have some bamboo forests to walk and take nice pictures also possible combined with short time at arashiyama (%arabica coffee is so good but long lines = time killer) … japanese people love lines. so be careful about that lol https://maps.app.goo.gl/K7bJbiYtMacKK3KbA
grabbing some ice cream and or beers and walking on the kamogawa river is my favorite. or rent bikes and ride north or south, you can’t go wrong. super chill and have a little picnic
kazubar – fav bar in kyoto https://maps.app.goo.gl/MndnLCzKTFAkLPyj8
gojo guest house – i like to stay in this place in kyoto, cozy japanese style with good prices (idk if they have rooms for couples maybe) https://maps.app.goo.gl/6NtscMxSLMgmTCgQ9
idk if i can recommend Fushimi Inari tbh. it’s so touristy but yeah if you wanna see the tori gates and take pictures it’s nice. takes a bit of time from the city to reach it. so up to you. could be nice to take a day trip to Nara too if you wanna see smaller town and the deer
nice walk i recommend in kyoto (little bit on outskirts) so less tourists see a cafe, a really relaxed bautiful temple with japanese garden, and walk to cat cafe, then walk to kitano tenmangu temple, where they have an outdoor market somtimes (maybe sunday or weekend, worth looking up!) https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yaBDHSsXHAuZyHV6
i had written this before and i think it’s still true, and worth checking. the markets are super fun. esp to-ji was awesome. Flea Markets in kyoto 21st of each month at Toji Temple from the early morning hours until around 16:30 in the afternoon. Kobosan, formally called Kobo-ichi, is held monthly on the 21st at Toji Temple. (And maybe the first Sunday of the month) Tenjinsan, or Tenjin-ichi, is held on the 25th of each month on the grounds of the Kitano Tenman-gu shrine. If you’re in Kyoto on one of the major market days, you could also check them out (I very much recommend it). Kobo-san on the 21st and Tenjin-san on 25th are the two biggest monthly markets, and the Craft Market on the 15th at Chion-ji is also quite sizable. These also tend to open a bit earlier than the shopping arcades–especially during the warmer months.
somewhere, smiling :) 