We went to Arashiyama twice for this trip and I found that I can still go back here again when I go back to Kyoto. It's a popular tourist destination and I think there's plenty of sites here for everyone aside from the infamous bamboo grove. This is around a 5-hour slow walk with lots of photo stops for us. I believe we started out on the right foot for this one so I wasn't overwhelmed with all the crowds!
We took the bus to Arashiyama and it stops in front of the Katsura River. There is a Arashiyama train station stop not far from here (maybe 5-10 mins walk).
I loved the feel of this place and if I have more time, I would hang out here by the water. You can also cross the bridge to go to the Monkey Park and see other things but for this day. We just walked all the way straight on the same side until we got to the part where there were not too much people. There are public restrooms available in this direction too before we start our day haha.
We walked past these human-pulled rickshaw (jinrikisha) that were so popular with tourists. Apparently, rickshaw runners have been in existence since the 1800s. They double as tourist guides here and it's really admirable how they can withstand the heat and weight for a few hours!
We also avoided this main street first. Just look at the lines!
We randomly entered a garden to our left when we saw many statues like this.
It's called the Lion's Roar Garden 獅子吼の庭 of Hogon-in and was created by Zen Master Sakuhiko Shuryo. Check the site here.
It's an old zen garden and it was very peaceful here.
I was surprised that there was still a quiet place left for us in Arashiyama to just contemplate on life and nature.
I was oblivious to the throngs of people in the main street and just thought about what it's like here in autumn when the leaves change color.
Please note that there is an entrance fee to enter this place. It's not that big so it was a nice and quick intro to our no itinerary day. There is an expensive-looking tofu place next to this garden that looked authentic. We carried on since we were not that hungry yet.
We passed by this coffee shop in a historic structure. It's a restored building built in 1809 - with a Settan-gat type interior and Irimoya-zukuri (hip and gable roof) with tatched roof exterior. It looked majestic and huge for a commoner's house. The cafe is called “ESPRESSO &” パンとエスプレッソと嵐山庭園『エスプレッソと』 in Google Maps.
We unknowingly were led to the Tenryu-ji Temple 天龍寺, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! This is a place that deserves a whole post so stay tuned for the next one! There's a separate fee to enter the Dragon Hall below.
So glad we found this place. When you enter the building below, your ticket includes the structures inside and garden. We stayed here the longest on this day;)
Since the next post is coming up with the many nice things about the Tenryu-ji Temple, I will show you where we had lunch! I just randomly picked a place because I was so hungry.. Our feet led us to Kijurou 嵐山 喜重郎.
The waitress kindly let us in even without reservation (lucky!) and seated us next to the window with their very own zen garden! It must be colorful here in the fall season..
It was a bit pricey but just the set meal I was looking for. Jeff ordered the wagyu beef ribloin steak rice box with Yodofu (boiled tofu)
while I had the wagyu beef yakiniku rice box.
The meal was okay and we loved the variety and balance.
We were willing to splurge because I was hungry and we had no plan whatsoever haha. Plus we did a lot of walking and many more so we would burn through these. ;)
This one we chanced upon again and I really have a soft spot for warabi mochi. I would gladly have this over and over again. Just look for Sagano Chikuji-an Main Branch 竹路庵 !
So apparently, we hit the jackpot again. By my standards hahaha. This was just a few meters from the restaurant.
We found this small park at the back where we were able to just sit and not make a mess ;)
Make sure you have water on hand when you eat this. Hehe. Yummy mochi with soybean flour!
We walked back some more until we got to the bus stop by the river!
Our day looked short but it was really a lot of steps, a lot of appreciating structures and gardens, the river and some food in Arashiyama. I can't wait to show you the Tenryu-ji Temple and the bamboo that's close to the Arashiyama Bamboo grove but with no people hahaha. When we got back to our hotel, the Kanko-sai Festival of the Shimogoryo Shrine was happening and we just ate a light dinner through street food ;)
