The Elegance of Time - Okura Hotel in Kyoto, Japan

Years ago, I stayed at the Okura in Tokyo, and this time I didn't hesitate to choose the Kyoto Okura Hotel, which has a history of over 130 years. Right out of Kyoto JR station, 100 meters on the right, you'll find the Okura Hotel's shuttle lounge, complete with coffee, tea, and the smiling faces of the staff, giving you a taste of the century-old hotel's quality service from the start. The hotel lobby is spacious and comfortable, elegant and refined, the rooms are relatively large by Japanese standards, with a sensible design and a full range of useful toiletries, making for a very pleasant stay. Especially the breakfast, we chose the Japanese-style meal, enjoying the rich and exquisite breakfast while looking out at the Japanese-style scenery through the window, which was a real treat. The hotel is not near the JR station, but it is close to the Kamo River and Shijo shopping street. In the morning, you can walk to the Kamo River, where the stream babbles, clear and clean, under a sky of blue and white clouds, with few pedestrians and fresh air, starting your day beautifully. If you're up for it, you can navigate further to reach the Heian Shrine. During the day or at night, you can walk to Shijo shopping street, where shopping and gourmet food are all part of a wonderful experience. Okura has age and history, which is the atmosphere I love!