If Osaka was a boisterous party host handing out sake shots and unsolicited life advice, then Kyoto is her elegant cousin who drinks matcha in silk and only speaks when it’s profound. But before we traded neon for nature, we made a very necessary detour: Nara Park—home to 1,200 semi-domesticated deer, an ancient temple or two, and the most unexpectedly polite wildlife encounter of my life.
The thing about Nara is, it’s peaceful… until it’s not. You stroll into this massive park thinking it’s going to be all Zen gardens and gentle breezes, and then—bam!—a herd of deer starts bowing at you for snacks like tiny velvet diplomats.
Nara Park: Where the Deer Have Better Manners Than Most Exes
Yes, they actually bow. Fun fact: it’s a learned behavior. Locals used to bow to show respect before feeding them, and the deer, being both adorable and opportunistic, caught on. Now they bow first—no marriage certificate required.
Between feeding the deer and dodging the occasional headbutt from an impatient one (apparently I wasn’t distributing rice crackers fast enough), we found ourselves at the entrance to one of Japan’s most awe-inspiring landmarks: Todai-ji Temple.
Todai-ji Temple: Big Buddha Energy
Todai-ji isn’t just a temple—it’s the temple. Built in the 8th century, it houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha, standing over 49 feet tall. (That’s roughly the height of a five-story building, or, if you prefer, two and a half stories of emotional growth.)
Walking into the Great Buddha Hall feels like entering another realm. The sheer scale of it makes you go quiet, even if your usual volume setting is “group chat at brunch.” The air hums with centuries of reverence. I couldn’t help but feel small—in the best way possible.
And because life loves balance, right next to all that serenity is the famous Buddha’s Nostril Hole Challenge—a wooden pillar with a hole the same size as the statue’s nostril. Legend says if you can squeeze through it, enlightenment awaits. Spoiler: I didn’t try. I’ve already been through one tight squeeze this decade.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Lanterns and Wishes
A short, shaded walk from Todai-ji led us to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns that line the path like an ancient runway. Every February and August, they’re all lit during the Lantern Festivals.
The shrine itself is dedicated to the deity of protection, and after the year I’d had, I left a small wooden ema (wish plaque) asking for strength, joy, and a devastatingly handsome travel companion who doesn’t leave his socks everywhere.
Kyoto: Bamboo, Beauty, and Being Told to Leave (Politely)
From Nara, we continued on to Kyoto, where our day ended in the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove—the kind of place that makes you whisper without realizing it. The path winds through impossibly tall bamboo stalks that sway in the breeze, whispering secrets older than anything we could possibly worry about.
As daylight faded, we heard whispers of the bamboo light-up event happening that evening. So naturally, we did what any group of slightly jet-lagged, overly confident women would do: we tried to sneak in early.
And that’s when we met our new favorite phrase.
A kind, soft-spoken attendant intercepted us mid-attempt and said, in the gentlest voice imaginable,
“You gotta get out of here… sorry.”
No anger. No scolding. Just pure Japanese politeness wrapped in firm boundaries. We backed out laughing, repeating it to ourselves until it became the unofficial tagline of the trip.
Late checkout?
“You gotta get out of here… sorry.”
One more drink?
“You gotta get out of here… sorry.”
Lingering on an ex’s Instagram page?
You already know.
The Lesson in the Leave-Behind
As the lanterns began to glow and the night deepened around Kyoto, I realized how poetic that phrase really was. Sometimes, life itself says, “You gotta get out of here… sorry.” Out of a relationship. Out of a comfort zone. Out of who you were when you stopped choosing yourself.
And yes, it stings a little—like being shooed out of a bamboo forest you were desperate to see—but it’s also an invitation. To move forward. To grow. To make space for what’s next.
All of it reminded me that sometimes, the most polite way the universe can say “you’re ready for more” is with a smile and a gentle,
“You gotta get out of here… sorry.”
Felicity Arvizu takes on... 