Philosophers walk is very beautiful, with bridges hoping across the river every few feet, and pale pink mixed in amongst the shades of ivory and lime green. It is easy to see how people could come here to reflect and gain wisdom, tapping in to a source of nature thousands of years older than ourselves.
But my highlight for kyoto has definitely been Hei-an shrine, illuminated in the darkness. The classical music concert featured traditional Japanese songs played on acoustic instruments, but it was the venue which made this evening so striking. We stood on the other side of the pond from the stage, nestled in amongst the trees, and the lights looked so pretty as they lay across the water, stretching towards us in endless tides. There is something fairytale-like about being out at night, but surrounded by a warm light that hangs in the sky like fireworks.
