I don't know where else to post this, but I wanted to say thank you. Today was not my day. I am a tourist, jet lag has hit me hard, and I was making mistake after mistake. I want to share three instances I had of total Kyoto strangers helping me.
I started the day out by losing my Suica card that had 10,000¥ and a shinkansen ticket loaded on it. Rushed around Kyoto station searching for it, then tried to ask staff for help in maybe recovering the funds/transferring the balance, and then, just as I was standing in the JR ticket help line and ready to give up, the woman standing in line in front of me overheard my problem. Not only did she tell me how to recover my shinkansen ticket, she gave me an old Suica card she had in her bag with enough money on it for me to get back to my hotel. I wasn't able to transfer the balance of the $100 I had on the lost card, but this total stranger not only helped save my shinkansen ticket, she also helped me get home. I am so thankful to you, stranger!
Next, I tried and failed to make reservations for dinner at a very small izakaya near my hotel, 東寺のかえる. I had used a reservation service that was totally useless and it didn't tell me my reservation request didn't go through until I was literally standing outside the restaurant. I asked the owner if he had any space, and he welcomed me in before the first reservation of the day. It was the best beef I've ever had in my life, and he runs the shop all by himself. I am so thankful to you, stranger!
Finally, I booked tickets for a show at GEAR theatre (really amazing, by the way) and stupidly purchased them for the wrong date, which I didn't realize until I showed up to the theatre and the staff pointed it out. Just as I have accepted Im a total idiot and I should just go back to my hotel and not inflict any more of my stupidity on the city, the staff member working the desk managed to find me a great seat for the next show. I am so thankful to you, stranger!
So this is a post to say a very big thank you to all who helped me today. I was having a rough time and making a bunch of stupid tourist mistakes, and I was met with kindness and understanding, even while navigating language barriers. I know the overtourism is detrimental to locals, and I'm sorry for how I have contributed by visiting family here. But, I am so impressed with the patience and generosity of the locals I have encountered.
THANK YOU KYOTO!!!
by thedollcossette