Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Kon'nichiwa! Here is another Kyoto destination you may want to check out if you ever visit Kyoto in the near future. 

                

If you ask Google places to visit in Kyoto, this place is on top of the search list, including Fushimi Inari Shrine. So on this day, we visited three places. We visited Nara first thing in the morning, then from Nara, Fushimi Inari, and last destination of the day was Arashiyama.

So from Fushimi Inari station, we took the local train towards Kyoto all the way to Kyoto station. From Kyoto station, we went to Platform 33 and took the JR San-in line towards Sonobe. Bear in mind that Kyoto station is like the Grand Central station in New York, so it is a huge place. We got off at Saga-Arashiyama station. Fare is Y240.

Outside the station is a museum of some sort, and beside the museum is a public map of the area. We somehow just followed our gut and followed the direction the crowds are heading to.

Since we went there on a Sunday, we also encountered numerous crowds in Arashiyama. I guess that is because spring is peak season of travel to Japan, and so we were not to be the only people in the area.

Standing in the midst of the tall bamboo trees is indeed quite an experience, it was just a little disappointing because of the crowds. Word of advise, try to go early in the morning so you can have the place to yourself. Then it would really be magical.

The path is a dirt path, and the grove is located a little bit to the north of the entrance of Tenryu-ji Temple. By this time of the day we already walked quite a lot, so when we saw the path going uphill, we decided to turn back and explore the rest of the area.

Makes me wonder how many years it took for these bamboos to grow this tall.

On the other side of Arashiyama is a river, and you can walk along the Togetsukyo bridge, which is a scenic bridge, and the riverside is filled with sakura trees as well.

 

Before you get to the bridge though, you pass the town center, where there are various shops that sell souvenirs, restaurants, and the like.

                 

 Loved seeing the sakura trees on the sidewalk, and even though by this time I have already seen quite a lot, I always marvel at the beautiful blossoms everywhere.

There were some charming looking buildings, and from here I actually bought several boxes of mochi to bring back home.

By this time it was already almost five in the afternoon, and my friend's energy was most defintely depleted.
                   

There were also a lot of people wearing kimonos in this place, most of them tourists, if not all. Dressing is up is not my thing, and my friend was not up to it either, so we skipped that.

This is the Katsura River, which flows leisurely through Saga Arashiyama.

The riverbank on the other side of Togetsukyo bridge is dotted with more sakura trees, but we couldn't get our feet to walk across the bridge.

Picture this mountain during autumn. It would be bursting with so many vibrant colors.

This is the Togetsukyo bridge. The name Togetsu, meaning moon crossing, originates from a tale involving the Emperor Kameyama during the Kamakura period. It is said that during a boating party under a full moon, the emperor thought the moon looked like it was crossing the bridge, hence the name.

This bridge was built in 1934, and although it looks like it is made of wood, its columns and beams are reinforced concrete, and only the parapets are made of cypress. Cars also pass through this bridge.

We actually sat on one side of the river and ate our picnic there, and after some rest we tried crossing the bridge to go to the other side, but since it was too crowded and our energy levels were almost depleted, we turned around.

We then decided to try to go to Kameyama Park, which is about 500 meters from the main street, but after walking about a hundred meters, we turned back yet again. We just didn't have it in us to keep walking.

The park though is said to be very nice, and apparently it is one of the nicest places in Arashiyama.

It is a hilltop park though, and if lucky, yo might even spot some wild monkeys. I would love to go there during autumn, given the chance.

After turning back yet again, we decided it was time to go back to Osaka, so we took our time walking back to the train station.

We were reluctant to say goodbye to this charming place, but say goodbye we must, for our time was coming to an end.

I just wish we had more energy left to properly enjoy the place. But alas, it was not to be.

Perhaps next time, God willing, and I'll make sure I'll spend more time in this place.

All in all, it was a very fruitful day, and we were happy to have crossed these famous places off our bucket list of places to visit.

Sayonara for now Arashiyama. Till we meet again, and hopefully, I will be more prepared next time!

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