Arashiyama

The early days of autumn in Arashiyama. By late autumn, the greens will be interspersed with shades of reds, yellows and oranges and it will be gorgeous. I suppose I should whip out a pen now and furiously jot down the beginnings of a poetry inspired by the place. But I'd better not. I had long ago accepted that I can't write anything to save my life, so no need to put you all through the agony of reading my Arashiyama-inspired haikus.



In this picture you can see the famous Togetsu-kyou bridge, one of the landmarks of Arashiyama. This place is always nearly packed with people, either Japanese families on a day out or tourists. Frankly speaking, it is just a bridge but for some reason, it is damn popular. I suppose the view from the bridge is the reason or there is a history behind it.



I have not gone there in spring yet; I will next spring. And I want to visit it in winter as well, when it snows. I think I had better change that last sentence to IF it snows ENOUGH to protect its crystally bits from melting too fast under the morning sun.



The river that runs through Arashiyama is called Hozu-gawa and you can take a trip along the river that passes through forested canyons. It takes 2 hours to cover the 16km journey. But if you don't want to pay 3900¥ perperson for that journey, then head for the simple boat ride near Togetsu-kyou bridge for a fraction of that price. Haha, I sound like some tourist guide!



I cycled to here once. It was just a straight road from my house right up to Arashiyama. Going was easy. It was the coming back that was hard because I was so tired from walking. Did not thought it through the first time and now I am once bitten, twice shy. Okay, I need to ask. Why once bitten, twice SHY? Why use the word shy? I mean, if I was bitten once let alone twice, that other fella better run cause I sure as hell gonna give him a taste of my pearly whites!



My friends went for a boat ride. I decided to skip it and watched them from the river banks. I was also taking care of their bags and the boat tour guides kept asking me what was I doing and poor thing, I had to take care of the bags! I didn't mind, I had fun just sitting there, watching people rowing and trying to guess who were there on their first dates.



As you walk along the quiet roads, you will pass by these stone statues. I have no idea what this place is called. Walk a little further north and you will reach small bamboo groves, which at first I thought was Sagano (THE bamboo groves everyone here talks about), stupid me.



Three cute monk statues. Picture taken somewhere in Arashiyama. Don't ask me where.