Walking Through the Bamboo Grove
Bamboo Grove in the Rain
As the rain grew heavier, I sheltered and passed the time by browsing souvenir shops.
When the rain eased a little, I headed to the famed “Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path.” After all, this bamboo grove is a must-see spot in Arashiyama.
You can see bamboo groves in places like Shuzenji or Atami, but Arashiyama’s is on a completely different scale. Walking through it, I was surprised by how much more expansive it was than I had imagined.
Seeing such a vast spread of bamboo made me wonder how they manage its upkeep. I couldn’t help but be curious about how it’s actually maintained.
Taking a Break at Tenryu-ji
While exploring the bamboo grove, I stopped by Tenryu-ji.
The temple grounds are very spacious and seem to have multiple entrances. It’s a historic temple that’s also registered as a World Heritage site.
This time I only visited the gardens, but the quintessentially Japanese scenery many imagine unfolded before me, and it was beautiful. The well-tended garden harmonized with the surrounding mountains, giving me a calm, peaceful moment.
After touring the garden, I continued further along the bamboo path.
The farther I went, the fewer people I encountered, and I was able to fully enjoy the bamboo grove’s quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Take the Sightseeing Train Back
Rather than walk back the same way, I decided to take the sightseeing trolley train for the return trip.
From Torokko Arashiyama Station to the terminal Torokko Saga Station it’s only three minutes. Even so, the fare is 880 yen, and when I bought my ticket the counter staff asked, “Are you sure this is okay?” (laughs).
The scenery is more residential than the valleys or mountains people typically imagine, so it’s a bit different from the usual image of a sightseeing trolley train.
Still, the retro carriages and unique atmosphere were fun, and despite the short ride I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Comments