Temples, Traditions, and a Shellfish Explosion: Kyoto Adventures Begin

“Culture, Chaos, and Coffee with Honey”

There’s nothing quite like waking up in Kyoto — the soft creak of wooden floors, the morning light through paper screens, and the promise of history at every turn. Day two of our Encore Adventure was all about exploring the city’s ancient heart, from serene temples to seafood surprises (the kind that go bang!).

We began with French toast and honey at a local café/ hostel — a perfectly civilised breakfast before tackling the climb to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The streets were alive with visitors in colourful kimonos, school groups in neat uniforms, and tourists clutching cameras and bottled green tea. Only later did we realise it was a national holiday — no wonder the crowds were so lively!

The temple itself was magnificent — the gatehouse a blaze of orange against the autumn sky, the temple perched on wooden stilts overlooking Kyoto. Founded in 778 and famed for its holy spring, it’s where people come to pray for good fortune in love. From the terrace, the city stretched out below, a blend of old and new that took our breath away.

Back down the hill, we found a traditional shellfish restaurant — Katsu Kai Centre — where you cook your own seafood at the table. Intrigued and hungry, we sat down, smiled helplessly at the waitresses, and let them choose for us. Soon our table was covered in scallops, giant clams, and a slightly nervous-looking squid.

Then came the excitement. At the next table, two women were cooking oysters the size of cricket balls when one suddenly exploded — a dramatic pop! followed by a splatter of boiling shellfish across the room. Once everyone stopped jumping and confirmed all limbs were intact, the laughter began. Even the staff couldn’t help giggling. It was messy, hilarious, and completely unforgettable.

After our impromptu seafood adventure, we continued through the city — only to find ourselves swept into a festival procession near Nijo Castle. Hundreds of people dressed in traditional costumes marched through the streets, accompanied by drummers, banners, and children in ornate robes. It was as if we’d stepped back several centuries. The detail was astonishing — samurai armour, elegant court ladies, and even farmers with wooden tools.

Finally reaching Nijo Castle, we explored the elegant wooden rooms and walked across the famous “nightingale floors,” which chirp with every step to warn of intruders. I couldn’t help wondering how many unwanted visitors had been foiled by that tuneful trap.

Dinner that night was a well-earned indulgence: Kobe beef, which we cooked right in front of us on a tabletop grill. The meat was tender, buttery, and rich — and yes, every bite lived up to the hype. Served with local sake and fermented vegetables, it was the perfect end to a long, extraordinary day.

“From Nightingale Floors to Fermented Fun”

Kyoto had already shown us its many faces — elegance, spirituality, and the occasional slapstick seafood surprise. We went to bed tired but exhilarated, full of admiration (and possibly too much Kobe beef). Next time, we’ll tackle the thousand gates of Fushimi Inari and the foodie heaven of Nishiki Market — Japan at its most spiritual and most delicious.