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Good morning, Emily. I've been looking more carefully at the Kyoto section — particularly the plan for your first full morning there.
The current programme opens with Kinkaku-ji, which I know has been on your list. I'd like to suggest a different order. Not instead — just when.
Please do — I trust your judgement on this completely. If there's a better way to experience Kyoto in the morning I'm very open to it.
Nanzen-ji before breakfast. That's the version I'd suggest for the morning of the 16th.
The temple is very nearly empty at that hour — the stone gate, the carp pond, the cedar path beyond it. I've found a small restaurant in the grounds called Okutan, which has served tofu kaiseki in the same garden for over three centuries. I've made a tentative reservation for 7:30. If Kinkaku-ji still appeals, it catches the light differently in the late afternoon — I'd move it there.
That sounds exactly right. Let's do it.
Done. The Travel Book has been updated — you'll find the revised Kyoto days in Documents.
Nanzen-ji now opens Wednesday morning and Kinkaku-ji has moved to Thursday afternoon. The Okutan reservation is confirmed for 7:30. I'll send the full dining notes for Kyoto by end of week.