Last summer I skipped the typical tourist spots in Kyoto and wandered into quiet residential alleys instead, and that's when I felt I truly connected with the place. Yet I can't shake the thought that many locals there depend on tourism for their livelihood, so my desire for 'authentic' travel might be a luxury they can't afford. Does the push for authentic experiences actually help communities, or does it just create new forms of exclusion? I've seen both small guesthouses thrive and neighborhoods priced out, so I'm not sure where the line is.