#Eda85daysinJapan | Chapter 3 (Kyoto last day)
🗓️ 15 May 2026
It marked my final morning in Kyoto before moving on to the next leg of this 85-day journey across Japan.
Kyoto has always held a special place in my heart, deeply tied to memories of my parents—especially my mom, who passed away two years ago. Coming back here brought a heavy wave of nostalgia, but these past two weeks turned out to be deeply healing. Being able to build fresh, joyful memories on top of the old ones brought so much comfort, and honestly, I couldn't have done it without my buddy Tracy by my side.
The Great Suitcase Dash to Nijo Station My last morning started with an unexpected workout: hauling my massive suitcase down four flights of stairs right during morning peak hour. Tracy, who checked out earlier in the day, dropped a crucial heads-up that the local buses were completely packed out with commuters and tourists. Taking her advice, I skipped the bus crawl entirely and did a brisk 20-minute walk over to Nijo Station (二条駅) to catch the train back to Kyoto Station. Crisis averted!
10 Days of Sacred Trails, Shared Meals & Healing Looking back on our 10 days together (May 4 – May 14), it was pure magic. It was filled with non-stop talking, laughter, tears, and spiritual walks around neighborhood shrines, ancient temples, and mountain trails:
Sacred Walks & Forest Treks: Navigating the ancient tree roots on the Kurama-to-Kibune traverse, taking in Mount Hiei, and wandering through Tadasu-no-Mori Forest at Shimogamo Shrine.
Neighborhood Loops: Soaking in the quiet vibes at RyĹŤan-ji, Kitano Tenman-gu, TĹŤji-in, and the pet-friendly ByĹŤdĹŤ-ji (Inaba-dĹŤ) Temple.
Cultural Detours: Exploring the matcha-scented streets of Uji, visiting historic Fushimi, watching the sunset at Fushimi Inari, and taking a day trip out to the thatched-roof village of Miyama Kayabuki no Sato.
Set Up for Success Tracy wasn't just the ultimate shopping partner for market runs and neighborhood finds—she completely spoiled me by making both breakfast and dinner at the apartment every single day! From home-cooked mapo tofu and beef dinners to cozy hotpots, her endless food ideas and kitchen tips have fully set me up for success for the rest of my trip.
Thank you so, so much, Tracy, for the awesome companion, precious memories, and all the incredible food. Kyoto means even more to me now.
On to the next chapter! 🚂✨
