The shinkansen continued its speedy approach towards Kyoto, and as it did so, the winter weather seemed to intensify.
As the shinkansen continued south west, the sky turned grey and the snow came in.
The logistics of carrying my luggage in heavy snow started to dawn on me as the conditions outside got wilder.
And then—quite as suddenly as the wild weather appeared—blue skies returned.
The weather continued to improve as I got closer to Kyoto.
I arrived at Kyoto station and set off.
I exited the station and headed in the direction of my hotel, which was thankfully not too far from the station.
As I headed for the hotel, it began to snow. Thankfully, this was far more manageable than the snow I’d experienced in Yuzawa.
I reached my hotel and checked in.
APA Hotel Kyoto Eki Horikawadori
- 15 Jan
- Check in
- 19 Jan
- Check out
After dropping my bags, I set off again. As I walked out of the hotel, a coffee shop across the road caught my eyes with its specialty coffee signifiers...
I was staying across the road from Kurasu—a place I’d purchased coffee equipment from all the way back in Perth.
Kurasu
- ¥
- Price
- Coffee
- Place
I grabbed a takeaway filter and set back off for the train station, intending to visit Fushimi–Inari shrine.
Snow fell gently as I waited for a train.
Soon a train arrived, and I was on my way...
Well, not for long. Due to the snow, our train abruptly stopped, and we received an announcement over the PA that our train would be delayed.
After what felt like an eternity, the train began to move again. Sunset was fast approaching now. I alighted and headed for the shrine.
Snow was falling thick and fast now. Nevertheless, many people—myself included—were keen to see the shrine.
Throwing caution to the wind I took the oppotunity to take photos, getting myself and my camera covered in snow.
I continued up the trail as sunset approached.
Once night had fallen, it was time to head back.
I returned to the train station and made my way back to Kyoto.
Having worked up quite an appetite, I set off for a highly rated ramen place.
Daiichi Asahi
- ¥¥
- Price
- Ramen
- Restaurant
One delicious bowl of ramen later, I traipsed through the ice and snow back to the hotel.