Wander and wonder in Kyoto

Jaimie Yap | Japanese studies major - Doshisha University, Japan

When it comes to my experience living in Japan so far, I’d say that just about every day has something new, but the adventures that have really stuck with me are the ones I went on alone. Without needing to ask for permission or make plans with others, I visited the shrines and temples of central Kyoto, wandered through the famous streets of Gion and Shijo, and took long day trips to places like Kurama and the shores of Lake Biwa. All of these places were incredibly beautiful— and yet at the same time, fascinatingly lonely.

At Gion for example, especially at night, the streets are completely clogged with tourists from all over the world, and yet I was small and alone in the crowd. Then, in the agricultural town of Oomihachiman, it was in many ways the complete opposite— I climbed a mountain and walked along the canal that runs through the city, but there were only ever one or two people in sight. The autumn leaves I found there were even more stunning than the lights of Gion, but though I took pictures everywhere, none of them featured a person, myself or otherwise. In both places, I could (and did) stop to look at whatever caught my eye, but at the same time, there was no one to take me along to places I never would’ve visited on my own. With no conversation partner, I never really said a word while I was out and about, but at the same time, it meant I could enjoy the sights in silence for as long as I wanted. For me, studying abroad has been an exercise in finding wonder in the world by myself, for myself, and learning to appreciate my existing friendships even more. Best of all, I know the journey isn't over yet.

Autumn in Oomihachiman. Small boats for sightseeing run up and down the canal, but I took the footpath.