Kyoto here we come! 🚅

A change of scenery - after being fascinated by Tokyo's vibrant atmosphere for a few days, we set off for Kyoto. With the high-speed Shinkansen train, we traveled at nearly 300 km/h to the 450 km distant Kyoto. Travel time: 2 hours 15 minutes.

Kyoto is one of the historically and culturally most significant cities in Japan. Upon arrival at the train station, we immediately took a taxi to the hotel. This time we chose something special... a ryokan (Seikoro). These are traditionally furnished Japanese hotels. The first and most important rule in a ryokan: take off your shoes before entering and put on slippers. Of course, there are slippers for men and women 🤓 And just as you know it from television, everything takes place on the floor 😅 The only thing you will find in the room is a table for the green tea ceremony. Our first thought when we entered the room: 'Where will we sleep?' 🤔 After the tea ceremony, which was performed by our friendly room geisha, we finally found out that the beds are only rolled out after dinner 😁✌🏻 The geisha also introduced us to our sleep kimonos, including instructions on how to put them on and tie them up.👘

After settling in at the ryokan, we immediately visited the old district of Gion. The street is full of traditional Japanese tea houses, restaurants, traditional sweets, and geishas. 🏮🎎