Let’s Visit Arashiyama!
Riding a Cute Train
While sightseeing in Kyoto, I decided to visit Arashiyama, a place I had never been to before.
I made my way to Arashiyama by transferring between Randen trams wrapped in Oyatsu Company branding.
Arriving in Arashiyama
When I arrived at Arashiyama Station, I saw a huge number of international tourists all around. Part of the station has been developed into a spot called “Kimono Forest,” where many visitors were enjoying taking photos.
Even in the station restroom, all I could hear was foreign languages, and it almost felt like I was traveling abroad.
Arashiyama Station, Packed with International Tourists
The Katsura River and Togetsukyo Bridge
As soon as I left the station, I found myself on a shopping street bustling with international tourists. Even the calls from people trying to draw customers in were in foreign languages. Most of the shop staff were Japanese, but everyone seemed to serve customers fluently in other languages.
There is still a strong image that Japanese people are not very good at English, but in places like this, I was surprised by how naturally so many people were helping customers in foreign languages. At the same time, it made me feel that if people really need to do something, or take it on with motivation, they may become capable of it more easily than expected.
As I walked past the shopping street, a bridge soon came into view. It was the famous Togetsukyo Bridge.
Because the weather was rainy, the colors of the scenery were somewhat subdued, but that actually gave it the charm of a Japanese painting.
I crossed the bridge and took in the view of it from the other side as well.
The Very Popular Street-Food Culture
These days, I get the impression that many tourist destinations actively promote eating while walking around, and Arashiyama is no exception.
One place I found there was a shop by Malebranche. When I stopped in, they were selling a sweet called “Osanpo Ice Eclair Chachabo.”
It’s a dessert made with crisp éclair pastry topped with matcha soft serve.
It’s fairly substantial, so it tends to get around your mouth while you eat, but that’s part of the fun of strolling and snacking, isn’t it? The matcha flavor came through nicely, and it was very delicious.
Walking Through the Bamboo Grove
The Bamboo Grove in the Rain
As the rain gradually grew heavier, I spent some time taking shelter and browsing souvenir shops.
Then, when the rain eased a little, I headed to the famous bamboo spot known as the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. When you think of Arashiyama, this bamboo grove really is one of the must-see places.
You can see bamboo groves in places like Shuzenji and Atami as well, but the scale of the one in Arashiyama is completely different. When I actually walked through it, I was surprised by how much more expansive it was than I had imagined.
With such a vast bamboo grove stretching out here, I couldn’t help wondering whether maintaining it must be incredibly difficult. I wonder what it’s really like.
A Short Break at Tenryu-ji
While walking through the bamboo grove, I stopped by Tenryu-ji.
The temple grounds are very large, and it seems to have multiple entrances. It is a historic temple that is also registered as a World Heritage site.
This time I only visited the garden, but it was wonderful, with the kind of beautiful, distinctly Japanese scenery that many people imagine. The carefully maintained garden blended beautifully with the surrounding mountains, and I was able to spend some peaceful time there.
After seeing the garden, I continued farther along the Bamboo Grove path.
The farther in I went, the fewer people there were, and I was able to fully enjoy the quiet, dreamlike atmosphere unique to the bamboo grove.
Heading Back by Scenic Train
I thought it would be a bit boring to simply walk back the same way I had come, so I decided to take the trolley train on the way back.
From Torokko Arashiyama Station to the final stop, Torokko Saga Station, the ride is only 3 minutes. Even so, the fare is 880 yen, so when I bought my ticket, the staff at the counter actually asked, “Are you sure this is the one you want?” (lol)
Since the scenery is centered more on residential areas than on gorges or mountains, it feels a little different from the typical sightseeing trolley train people might imagine.
Still, the retro cars and distinctive atmosphere were fun, and even with such a short ride, I enjoyed it plenty.
Comments