29 December, 2016
The historical scenic beauty of Kyoto is a result of the rich surrounding natural environment juxtaposed with the urbanity which has developed over a thousand years as the once capital of Japan.
Charming and serene, patient and elegant, majestic and peaceful, modern and classic, I have never encountered such beauty in one single place before; the dynamic landscape captivated me from the moment I arrived. The colourful sceneries created by the seasonal change and the passage of time have given the environment such depth. I arrived during the autumn foliage season when the colours are most spectacular, which made for an even more magical start to my life in Japan.
I have been living in Kyoto for just over a month now and have been documenting each day since arriving, creating my own personal photo journal. I want to share this adventure with like-minded people and give an insight to what life is like in this part of the world. My experience so far has given me so much happiness; I feel so wonderfully content and secure, everyday is a new adventure. Learning a new language, climbing mountains on my doorstep, sampling local delicacies - it's like a dream and almost seems too good to be true.
Although I am working out here, there is an overwhelming sense of freedom. Cycling around the city not knowing what you will see or who you're going to meet each day is so beguiling. I'm not sure how long I will be living in Japan and am just taking each day as it comes, but I can't wait to explore the rest of this fascinating country.
