After a full day in Hiroshima yesterday, we got a bullet train and headed to Kyoto. After making our way to our hotel to check in and drop off our bags, we headed back out for quick walk to see the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Built originally in 798 nestled in the side of the mountains, it was absolutely breathtaking. We got to see a few more cherry blossoms trees that had bloomed and wandered around the grounds for a while.
On our way to the temple we passed by the Hokanji Temple. While I was in Hiroshima, I did not see a single person wearing a kimono, but here in Kyoto it is hard to walk down a street and not see someone wearing a kimono. It is a very interesting sight to see so many people wearing the more traditional garb. Kyoto was once the ancient capital city of the Japanese Empire and has hundreds of shrines and temples which made it a center for the textile industry in Japan. Because of this, even though kimonos are usually only worn for special occasions such as a wedding, many still dress in kimonos when in Kyoto to feel more connected to their cultural heritage and to continue the kimono culture.
After stopping for a quick snack of Baumkuchen, we made our way back to the hotel to learn about Japanese tea culture, from everyday drinking to an introduction to Japanese tea ceremonies.
