Ancient temples framed by crimson maples, the serene beauty of Japan in its most painterly season.
The journey to Kyoto was one that had been on my list for years. There's something about arriving in a place you've only ever seen in photographs — the way reality fills in all the gaps your imagination left open.
I spent my first day wandering without a map, letting the streets of Kyoto guide me. This kind of aimless exploration is my favorite part of travel.
