Ohaiyo gozaimasu! Brown and Cony are ready for their second day in Kyoto. Let's tag along to them, shall we?
DAY 2 - (1) ARASHIYAMA
This is Brown and Cony's second day in Kyoto and the first thing on their list is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. In order to reach Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, they need to take train to Saga Arashiyama Station. Thankfully, the train is operated by Japan Railways so our friends do not have to pay additional fee as they could just show their JR Pass to the train staff to go through the gate and board the train. Woots~
The train ride from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama takes 15 minutes by train. Before they could even fall asleep, Brown and Cony have reached their destination. Yay!
In order to reach Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, you have to walk for a while because the forest is located near to the Arashiyama Mountain (yama means mountain in Japan). You could take the small road beside the 19th Century Hall SL & Piano Museum and follow the crowd there. Brown actually got hooked on the vintage locomotive although the museum is not a train museum. But Cony managed to drag him away to make sure their itinerary for the day is completed without a hitch. #strictcony
However, a few steps later, Cony was the one who got distracted but the early bloom cherry blossom tree. Brown let her take a few picture with the tree though since spring does not come everyday. He's so considerate, ain't he? <3
The main street leading to the mountain, the river and the bamboo forest is filled with shops at both sides. Arashiyama is a popular tourist destination and it is no wonder that the locals are opening a shopping district here. By the way, if you see these umbrellas, you may want to take a closer look. These umbrellas look plain when they are dry but once they are wet, the sakura flowers pattern come out magically. Amazing! (The folded ones cost SGD 20 each.)
If you love the cute Japanese souvenirs, you will love checking out the stores in Arashiyama shopping district as there are so many cute items being sold here. Cony even found her buddies here in pink color. Hahaha.
Noona loves these souvenirs as they will make a lovely table decoration. Awww. She's gonna get broke here for sure. She wonder if Brown and Cony have a weakness against cute stuff. Probably Cony... #theweakestlink
After having fun at the souvenir store, Brown and Cony were back on track to their destination. They followed the main street of Arashiyama until they have reached the intersection leading to Togetsukyo Bridge. Wow, Cony, when did you change into your kimono? Kawaii-ne.
Before crossing the bridge, Cony did not forget to buy some snacks to feed Sally because she often gets hungry on the way.
It's a bit of a pity that Brown and Cony came to Arashiyama a week too early before the sakura trees are in full bloom. Otherwise the whole forest across the river will be so beautiful in pink. But Brown still enjoyed his time here nonetheless. By the way, do you know that this big river in Arashiyama actually has two names? This side of the river which is located at the right side of Togetsukyo Bridge is named Katsura River.
While the river on the left side of Togetsukyo Bridge is named Hozu River. Uhm, Leonard and Sally, Noona does not think you guys can swim in that river. Like seriously.
Togetsukyo Bridge leads to the foot of Arashiyama mountain. It seems that nobody notices an egg hanging at the side of the bridge. #gudetamaeverywhere
If you get tired of walking in Arashiyama, you may want to consider hiring rickshaw which is pulled by handsome and strong Japanese men. Moon seems to like the idea pretty much. Err, Moon, I thought you are a man. Oh well, anyway, back to the rickshaw, Ebisuya offers traditional Japanese rickshaw tour which pricing ranges from JPY 3k to JPY 71k depending on the number of passengers and the duration of the tour. You can check out their pricing at their website: www.ebisuya.com.
The neighbourhood of Arashiyama is quiet and beautiful especially on a spring day. You can find vending machine selling drinks in the neighbourhood. Just like a scene from a Japanese anime but Cony...why did you hide in the drainage hole?
DAY 2 - (2) TENRYUJI TEMPLE
While strolling around Arashiyama area, Brown found his way to the tori (re: Japanese red temple gate) of Tenryuji Temple, the city greatest Zen temple. You will see a lot of tori in Japan, especially in Kyoto.
The famous zen vegetarian restaurant, Shigetsu is located inside the temple. It opens only rom 11AM to 14PM everyday so make sure to come earlier to avoid disappointment if you plan to dine at Shigetsu. Brown does not seem to be interested in vegetarian cuisine though.
Tenryuji's buildings have repeatedly been destroyed by fires and wars over the history. Thankfully the Japanese are skilled at preserving and restoring history. Otherwise, Browna and Cony would not be able to know how this temple from the Meiji era looks like. Most of the buildings in Tenryuji retains its original structure from the historical period so they are pretty much the original.
If you would like to see the main hall of Tenryuji Temple, you have to purchase the admission ticket of 500 Japanese Yen. Moon seems pretty excited about this so he's queueing for the ticket now.
However, Brown and Cony rather wait for him outside the temple as they want to take more pictures together with the temple. Do note that Tenryuji Temple opens from 8.30AM to 17.30PM (17.00PM from late October to late March) daily.
DAY 2 - (3) ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST
Brown and Cony's adventure at Arashiyama continued as our two friends are now looking for the path leading to Chikurin-no Komichi or the Path of Bamboo. They have seen the picture from Jessica's last trip to Kyoto and determined to make memory there. Thankfully, their search for the path is greatly assisted by the clear Japanese sign posted at the end of the road. From this point, you just need to walk for around 10 minutes to the appointed direction and you will reach the path of bamboo.
The path of bamboo goes a pretty long way. Supposedly that's why the path is also known as Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. If you walk deeper to the path, you will see a peace prayer tower in the middle of the path. Hopefully Brown and Cony's days are filled with peace and happiness too.
If you think there are so many people photobombing you at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, you just have to walk even further deep in so that the crowd will be dispersed. Choco and Sally are so quick to ask Brown to take picture of them in the midst of bamboo trees. Nice one, both of you. ;)
The path goes quieter as our friends go deeper and the view has become so enchanting right here at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The bamboo groves is especially magical when the light wind passing by and moving the trees to swing back and forth. Nature is so amazing, isn't it?
DAY 2 - (4) SNACKING AT ARASHIYAMA
Before our friends know it, it is already lunch time and they got pretty much hungry. Hang in there friend, there is a food and drink stall all around Arashiyama. Let's just pick the nearest one, shall we?
The stall sells a variety of food and beverages. To start with, it has a variety of dango (re: Japanese traditional round-shaped sticky rice cake) and you will be able to see how the dango are made. Cony and Leonard drooled immediately at the sight of these cakes. The yellowish sticky rice cake (with salami soy sauce) costs 210 JPY per stick while the greenish rice dumplings cost 160 JPY per stick.
Brown is more interested in hot drinks as he feels a bit cold from the wind. But Brown, where did you get that pint of beer? Hmm...
While Sally and Edward have flown to the other snack section selling fried stuff like fritters. Okay okay let's buy some of these foods to share among all of us.
There's always room for dessert and this rule apparently applies to our friends as well. Everyone immediately rejoices upon the sight of four flavours soft-served ice cream cone. There is matcha (green tea), black sesame, vanilla and sweet potato flavour in this cone. Moon and Cony immediately digging in without further ado. LOL.
After everyone is full, they walked back together to the Saga-Arashiyama Station to visit the next destination on their list. But first, let's take selfie with the beautiful spring flower like these violets.
And these unique flowers which Cony has ever seen before in the city. She loves it so much she wants to use it as her wedding bouquet. Uhm, you may want to check if they can be made into wedding bouquet, Cony. Hahaha.
Stay tune for more adventure in day 2 with Brown and Cony.
