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Tuesday / 2026-06-23

Koyasan To Kyoto

Nothing says peaceful temple morning like forgetting to turn off a 6:00 AM work alarm in a room with paper-thin walls.

Accidental 6:00 AM work alarm, temple ceremony, burning ritual, travel to Kyoto, Gion market, earrings for Linda, Hashi Lab chopsticks, and conveyor-belt sushi.

Group selfie in ponchos near a red temple gate in Kyoto.
Kyoto arrival, now with ponchos and optimism.

The morning started earlier than intended because Zach forgot to turn off his work alarm. It went off at 6:00 AM and, thanks to the paper-thin walls, probably woke up the whole place.

Everyone went to the 7:00 AM ceremony in the main temple, followed by a burning ritual and breakfast. The breakfast highlight was simple but excellent: miso soup and rice.

After breakfast, the journey from Koyasan to Kyoto began: bus, cable car, train, and transfer. This time everyone knew to get off and switch trains.

The group made it to Kyoto and walked around the Gion market. While there, Zach and Caitlin picked up earrings for Linda.

Everyone went to Hashi Lab and made chopsticks. It was about 20 minutes away, and only afterward did the group find out there was another one near the hotel. Efficient in spirit, not geography.

Later, dinner was conveyor-belt sushi at Sushi no Musashi.

Photos

Group selfie in ponchos near a red temple gate in Kyoto.
Kyoto arrival, now with ponchos and optimism.
The group sitting at a table during the Hashi Lab chopstick workshop.
Hashi Lab, the far one, because geography needed a subplot.
Zach working on chopsticks at Hashi Lab.
Serious chopstick craftsmanship, or at least serious gloves.