👘 Japan Day 8 Part 1: Kimono, Tea Ceremony & Temples

📍 Places:

• Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Shrine

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple

• Nishiki Market

🌅 Fushimi Inari Shrine – Endless Red Gates

Woke up at the capsule hostel and left at 7 AM. We took the subway to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, high up on the hill. We kept walking and climbing stairs that seemed to never end. The red torii gates felt like they went on forever, perfect for photos, and we took plenty.

📖 About Fushimi Inari Shrine:
This shrine is the head of all Inari shrines in Japan and is dedicated to Inari, the god of good harvests and business success. The seemingly endless path of bright orange torii gates up Mt. Inari is one of Japan's most famous sights. 👉 Read more here

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and get the best photos.

• Wear good shoes, the path is long and steep in places.

• Bring a water bottle if you're hiking to the top.

🏯 Kiyomizu-dera Temple – Pure Water Temple

Next, we went to Kiyomizu-dera, one of Japan's most famous temples. Surrounded by bamboo and forest high in the mountains, it was stunning. We took photos of each other and as a group.

📖 About Kiyomizu-dera:
Kiyomizudera (清水寺, "Pure Water Temple") was founded in 780 at the site of Otowa Waterfall. Originally part of the Hosso Buddhist sect, it formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. The temple was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. 👉 Read more here

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Stay quiet and respectful, it's a sacred place.

• Bring cash for small souvenir stalls.

• Visit on weekdays or early in the day to avoid crowds.

🛍 Nishiki Market & Waiting Around

After the temple, we went to Nishiki Market, full of small shops, food stalls, and cafés. Our guide split us into two groups for kimono rental. I was in group two, so Samantha and I went to Starbucks. I tried chai tea for the first time, it tasted exactly like gingerbread and cinnamon.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Nishiki Market can get packed, carry a small backpack or tote.

• Use your waiting time to try a snack or explore.

👘 Kimono Experience – And Some Awkwardness

When it was our group's turn to try on kimonos, I first picked out a beautiful one I really liked. But when I brought it in, they told me, politely, but clearly, that I was too big for it. A bit embarrassing, but they said it as kindly as possible. I had to choose from a small box with just eight kimono options for bigger sizes. Luckily, I found a gorgeous one with flowers and butterflies and picked out a matching sash.

We had to put on an under-robe first (looked like a white nightgown), then the kimono, with several tight sashes wrapped around the waist. They tied it really tight, so it was a little uncomfortable. Hair styling cost extra, 300 yen (~22 NOK). I chose a simple style, and they pinned my hair up in seconds with lots of small clips and one big decorative pin, which we had to give back afterward.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Be prepared: not all kimonos will fit everyone, but they'll have alternatives, don't stress.

• Pay for the hair styling, it's worth it for the full look.

• Kimonos can feel tight and warm, wear light clothing underneath.

• The wooden sandals (geta) are painful, bring blister plasters or band-aids.

🍵 Tea Ceremony – Tradition at Its Best

Dressed in our kimonos, we went to a tea ceremony. The hostess, also in kimono, made matcha tea in full zen style with bows and careful movements. One person in our group was chosen as the honored guest and got to taste the tea first.

After the demonstration, we made our own matcha. We received bowls with special patterns, bamboo whisks, and matcha powder. We whisked the tea until it foamed. Before drinking, we were given a sweet. Since I'm allergic to citrus, I was given a different sweet instead. The matcha was a little bitter but better than I expected. We were allowed to take photos but not videos.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Follow the hostess's cues closely,  respect is part of the experience.

• Eat the sweet first, it balances the bitterness of the matcha.

• Tell them about allergies in advance, they usually have alternatives.

📸 Back to the Hostel

We took a few more photos after the ceremony. Some of us felt done early and headed back to the hostel. To be continued…

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Allow plenty of time for kimono dressing, it takes longer than you'd think.

• Always carry water and snacks on long days like this.

• Kyoto's streets and markets can be crowded, keep an eye on your group.