Embrace the Art of Doing Less
In a city with over 1,600 temples and countless shrines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But Kyoto isn’t meant to be rushed. This is a city that whispers. That asks you to slow down. To listen.
So today, we’ll trade checklists for presence. Instead of ten things, we’ll do three:
One temple. One tea. One perfect day.
🏯 One Temple: Rengeji Temple (蓮華寺) – A Hidden Gem of Stillness
Away from the crowds of Kiyomizu and Kinkakuji lies Rengeji, a small, often-overlooked temple in northern Kyoto. It’s not about grandeur—it’s about quiet.
✨ Why Rengeji?
- A moss-covered garden with a mirror-like pond
- A tatami room with open sliding doors facing nature
- Birds, wind, water—your only soundtrack
How to get there:
From Demachiyanagi Station, take the Eizan Line to Miyakehachiman, then a short walk.
💡 Pro Tip: Visit in the early morning to feel the full stillness.
🍵 One Tea: Ippodo Tea House (一保堂茶舗) – Kyoto’s Heritage in a Cup
Once your spirit is quiet, your body might ask for warmth. And for that, there’s no better place than Ippodo, a tea house with over 300 years of tradition.
You don’t just drink tea here—you learn to respect it.
✨ Why Ippodo?
- Choose your own leaf and have it prepared by a tea master
- Or make it yourself with a guide (yes, even as a solo traveler!)
- Matcha, gyokuro, sencha—each with a story, a ritual
📍 Ippodo Official Site
🕰️ Open daily: 10:00–17:00
💡 Pro Tip: Sit at the counter, ask questions, and let the tea speak.
🚶♀️ One Walk: Along the Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道)
After tea, stroll slowly along Tetsugaku no Michi, the Philosopher’s Path. This quiet canal-side walkway once guided the mind of Zen philosopher Nishida Kitaro.
✨ What to expect:
- Sakura trees leaning into the water
- Artists painting, locals walking quietly
- Little surprises: a tiny shrine, a resting bench, a gentle breeze
Start Point: Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
End Point: Nanzenji Temple area
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t aim to finish it. Just walk until your feet say stop.
🧘♂️ Slow Travel is Real Travel
In Kyoto, less is more. You don’t need a long list. You need presence.
One meaningful temple.
One carefully prepared tea.
One mindful walk.
You won’t just remember what you saw—you’ll remember how you felt.
How to Plan This Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Arrive at Rengeji Temple |
| 10:30 AM | Tea at Ippodo Tea House |
| 12:00 PM | Light lunch nearby (soba or tofu) |
| 1:30 PM | Walk the Philosopher’s Path |
| 3:00 PM | Rest, journal, or visit a local cafe |
Final Thought
You don’t need to see everything.
You just need to feel something.
In Kyoto, that’s more than enough.