on January 28, 2026
January 24th – From the UK to Kyoto: The Journey Begins
We left the UK at 06:00 on January 24th, beginning what already felt like an epic journey to Japan. Our route took us via Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where a smooth first flight and a six-hour layover gave us time to recharge in the lounge — a welcome pause before the long haul ahead.
The onward flight to Narita was comfortable and on time. Flying business class is something I never take for granted; the extra space, calm, and comfort made the journey feel like a privilege. Despite the lay-flat bed, sleep was elusive — I managed barely an hour. My mind was already in Japan. This trip feels more significant than previous visits, aligned closely with personal values and a deeper, more spiritual chapter of my life. That sense of anticipation made rest difficult, but meaningful.
We arrived at Narita right on schedule and transferred onto the Niigata Express toward Tokyo Station — a swift and efficient 50-minute journey that reminded me once again why Japan’s transport system is unrivalled. From Tokyo, we navigated our way to the Tōkaidō Shinkansen bound for Kyoto.
The bullet train journey took around two hours and twenty minutes, stopping only a handful of times, including Shinagawa — where we stayed last year and will return again in four days. I picked up two bento boxes for the journey, and as always, the quality was outstanding: fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavour.
Passing Mount Fuji
By this stage, tiredness was setting in hard. The warmth came as a surprise too — around 22°C — and after hours of travel, even Japan’s efficiency can feel relentless when your body is running on fumes.
Eventually, we arrived in Kyoto. Thinking our hotel was just an eight-minute walk away, we set off on foot… only to discover over an hour later that my Google Maps was set to car travel time. Lesson learned. We did get a glimpse of what was to come.
Higashi Hongan-ji
Thankfully, the Brighton Hotel was worth every step: an incredible space with a large room, a separate bath and shower, and exactly what we needed after such a long day. Sleep came easily that night.
