Kyoto was one of the most atmospheric cities I have ever visited. I had heard about the strain tourism places on the city — necessary, yet costly — and it was impossible not to feel and empathise with the frustrations expressed by many locals.

Walking through Gion felt like stepping into another era. Despite being treated by visitors almost as a theme park, it remains a living neighbourhood, shaped by everyday routines as much as by history. Further out, in Arashiyama, the bamboo groves and temples draw the crowds, but the area offers far more depth and quiet than its most famous images suggest.

Kyoto is defined by its temples, and each one felt distinct — not simply beautiful, but deeply considered, carrying its own atmosphere and sense of place.