Kyoto

I woke up that Monday morning around 6 a.m. with the harsh ringtone of my alarm clock. The air was still gentle before the sun would use all its power to reach a typical 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Right after my morning routine, I headed out to grab milk and Onigiri for breakfast with my camera in hand. That was my first morning in Kyoto, Japan. An ordered city with calm and rush intertwined.

Kyoto was the city I loved the most on this trip. During the day, I threaded through the streets packed with vendors and tourists; at night, I strolled on quiet streets. In Kyoto, I spent my time as if I resided in the city; I wasn’t rushed and dazzled by street lights and the movement of populations that came and went.

I saw and lived what I thought was the real Kyoto, and that’s what I photographed, too.

Below are some of the photos I took.

10/8/24 - Chao

Japanese parking entrance sign illuminated at night
Lotus flowers and large green leaves in a pond.
Red fire buckets with Japanese text on a paved surface, wooden wall background, and a pigeon nearby.
Two students in uniform crossing a street at a crosswalk, one carrying an umbrella on a sunny day.
People on a bridge over a river in an urban area with greenery and trees, buildings in the background, and a pink-haired person looking out
Close-up of traditional Japanese roof detail with decorative tile and copper downspout, background of trees and a building.
An elderly woman engaged in traditional crafts at a cluttered workstation, surrounded by art supplies, paper, and decorative items, under warm lighting.
Two people walking into a shaded area from a sunlit street, with a nearby parked taxi and outdoor decorations visible.
A group of people walking in a dimly lit urban area at night, wearing white shirts and carrying backpacks. The scene is in black and white.
Black and white image of a Japanese sushi restaurant with a chef preparing sushi behind the counter and customers seated at the bar.