A stroll in Arashiyama and last minute shopping

Fresh from the sights of Nara we headed west of Kyoto to see the work of nature this time. The experience of light rain falling while walking int he bamboo grove of Arashiyama was new, and it was very nostalgic and also reminded me of a certain martial art movie full of sadness.

 

We found a man-made light forest with paved road where couple would take photos with the pousse-pousse, but we also walked in the bamboo grove itself. This is what comes to my mind when I hear Arashiyama. Those tall green bamboo trees work wonders in my happy place and memory palace, and the sound of the leaves making white noises.

 Arashiyama

What attracted us to this grove?

Rain from green bamboo

Out in the open, with all the shops ready to swallow me and my bank account, I devoured each trinkets with my eyes and heart, probably ate a snack or two (matcha rolled cake here?), queued to enter the Yojiya shop to see and acquired  oil-blotting paper (aburatorigami) and other rice powder face products (no toothbrushes).

As much as the forest brought me peace and settled my memory, the whirlwind and bustling of the shopping experience made for instant gratification and memorable purchases.

Exploring Kyoto west side, Arashiyama

From the hotel we moved to our airbnb flat, which was in a neighbourhood in Higashiyama, eastern side of Kyoto. So even on a rainy day we came out exploring, crossing town from its north side by bus, getting dizzy with all the kanji.

I was aiming to visit Arashiyama, for the 3rd time, and because there are so many temples to visit in Kyoto, there was one I hadn't visited yet, a zen temple which name escapes me now but probably Gioji temple. It was a feast on green moss and autumn leaves on its hilly ground. It is all so impressive to wander in such a peaceful place when one thinks of the density of people in town.

 

 

It was also impressive to feel the humidity in the air. We rolled down the hill to find ourselves at the border of the bamboo forest that transports anyone into a ninja movie or into a romantic photoshoot.

 

As a matter of fact I discovered a round area where they paved the road and couples take photos. Basically it was a way to experience the forest in a rush. But we continued on the path to pass by the monkey park area, overviewing the bridge and downhill to the river.

 

 

 

Once we took the bridge across the Katsura river, on the famed wooden Togetsukyo bridge we started our way back to central Kyoto.

 

 

And without a faint, unnoticed, time flew and though we knew there were more to see, we went to Kyoto station for the sight of Kyoto tower and to change scenery. After all there is window shopping to do to there.

 

And on our way back to the flat we passed by what seemed like an underrated sushi restaurant. And since after the walking and fresh air we needed some sustenance, we got in as their first customer of the day, and settled on their beautiful counter to watch the chef prepare our meal.

 

 

We feasted on sashimi and tempura while chatting with sign language and my limited Japanese. And with that serendipitous encounter, our evening ended.