My Favourite Places in Kyoto

Konnichiwa, everyone!

I’m Manae Torī, a new teacher at Tomo Japanese Language School. Please call me Manae-sensē.

Have you ever heard of Kyoto?

Kyoto is my hometown.

In Kyoto, you can enjoy different experiences depending on the season, and I have some favorite spots there as well☺️

When you think of spring, you think of cherry blossoms, right? 🌸

And when you think of cherry blossoms, we can’t forget the Kamo River!

Every spring, I would go to the Kamo River with my friends for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

We’d spread a blanket, bring lunch and sweets, and enjoy chatting under the cherry blossom trees.

It was one of my favorite times of the year.

Hanami at the Kamo River has been a tradition for us since our school days, and it was always fun because our conversations would get deeper each year.

We’d often end up talking for hours and never really wanted to leave, so we’d continue our chats at a local izakaya (Japanese pub) afterward.

Of course, the cherry blossoms were stunning when they were in full bloom, but I also loved the moment when the wind blew and the petals danced through the air.

It was so beautiful that I couldn't resist taking pictures. At night, the trees were lit up, creating a totally different, magical atmosphere from the daytime.

Then, when we think of summer in Kyoto, we think of the Gion Matsuri (festival).

In July, the whole city of Kyoto gets into a festival mood.

On the night of the Yoiyama (the pre-festival event), roads that are usually busy with cars become pedestrian-only zones, and many food stalls line the streets.

I always looked forward to seeing the different sights along Shijo Street.

It was such an exciting time to walk around the city with friends, eating shaved ice and chatting🍧.

When I saw the festival floats and heard the sound of the flutes, I would think, “Ah, summer has come!”

For autumn🍁and winter⛄️, I usually enjoyed the season close to home.

I’m not a big fan of the cold, so when it gets chilly, I tend to enjoy my time indoors or nearby.

Kyoto is famous for its autumn leaves, and while the famous tourist spots are beautiful, I personally love the quiet, peaceful colours of the leaves in the local parks and streets near my house.

When it starts to get a bit cooler, I always feel like taking a short walk outside, and I enjoy a relaxing stroll through the streets while admiring the autumn leaves.