A Tranquil Time at Kifune Shrine — The Hidden Waterscape of Kyoto in Summer

The finale of my four-day trip to Kyoto was reserved for Kifune Shrine. It was a plan that had been shelved in 2019. After four years, I finally set foot on this popular yet serene sacred land. If it weren't for the pursuit of the taste of flowing water noodles, I would suggest setting out at three in the afternoon. Before the crowd gathers, freely press the shutter button to capture this moment of tranquility. Take the Keihan train or the No. 17 bus to Demachiyanagi, then transfer to the Eizan Electric Railway heading for Kifune. Outside the train window, the scenery is picturesque, and the atmosphere is perfect. After arriving at Kibune-guchi, a short bus journey takes me to the front of the shrine. Kifune Shrine may be small, but you can walk through its entirety in just a few steps. The Tanabata lighting from July to August each year is a beautiful moment to hang wishes on bamboo branches and pray for dreams to come true. Above the shrine, the path to the inner shrine beckons upwards. A twenty-minute walk brings solitude and beautiful scenery with no one around. By the stream, I lightly step on the spring water, finding a hint of coolness in the heat of summer. And that riverside dining, despite its steep price, is an excellent way to experience Kyoto's summer. For this popular restaurant, you need to queue up for a number before three in the afternoon. Be prepared to wait for three hours, just for that brief taste of deliciousness. This trip to Kifune, though far, is a place where the camera and soul resonate. Every station of the Eizan Electric Railway is worth stopping at. It's a private date with Kyoto's summer. Although the possibility of revisiting is not high, this memory will forever be cherished in my heart.