Arashiyama, Kyoto

Destination: Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple
District: Arashiyama

On the North West of Kyoto there's a quiet lil district hidden like a gem, away from the hustling busting of central Kyoto. Most of the sights in Kyoto are pretty spread out so if you ever plan to visit, do make more time. In fact there's more sights than Tokyo and definitely way way beautiful.

Tokyo = Concrete Jungle
Kyoto = Cultural UNESCO natural beauty :))))

we took this scenic privately operated electric train to Arashiyama. Because it's operated differently from the rest of the train lines, the ticketing system is different too.

I lurve hopping into a train in Japan. It's such a scenic ride everywhere - especially this one. If you come here during the cherry blossom period, almost the entire track were lined with cherry blossom trees. I could really imagine how beautiful it looks then :))))))

ting-ting-ting-ting
our cute electric train is here!!!!

Keifuku Electric Railroad has been operational since 1910 before changing hands to different companies. That makes it more than a hundred years old rail road!!!!

yes be civilised and queue up. Everyone in Japan usually queue up already before the train/MRT/bus arrives. They queue at the shops, from buying ice creams to snacks....at the check-out counter in departmental stores, at the tourist information counter, at the ticketing counter and public toilets.

That's me in colorful apparels and bag so that JS won't lose me. Yea that's the whole idea. I must looked like a HUGE NEON billboard shouting "I am here" with an arrow pointing my head. During travels, sometimes u may be so engrossed with sights, u lose each other. Hahahaha I'm just kidding bout the billboard thing, I lurve to be decked in colors. It makes me eppy :))))


During Autumn and Winter, everyone is usually decked in dark boring colors....We were discussing that the fashion buyers in Japan must have been quiet an easy job coz there's not many colors to choose for your market. It's basically brown, black, grey and white. Everyone just looked the same most of the time.

there are a few stops and locals used it as a means daily transports while tourists like us used it to reach out to Arashiyama. The journey took less than 15 minutes.


We have arrived at Arashiyama!!!!

"Bamboos" of kimono lined the station. It's so pretty.

JS: "Try not to have that bamboo straight face and smile a bit for the camera please...."
Monkey grinned....ok ok ok

"JS.....why didn't we come here with pulled rickshaw? the peddler is soooo cute!!!!"
JS T_T

Rickshaw has been thought to have been invented in Japan. It's still everywhere around Japan with cute looking peddlers all the time...yes could be their "marketing" gimmick to get u onboard. WAHAHAHA. doesn't matter it's true or not, it sure works for me :P

dark, tall, strong with Colgate smiles. All of them. Guess there's a selection process to be a rickshaw peddler?

First stop the United Nations World Heritage Site - Tenryu-ji Temple

Founded in 1345, it's a Zen Buddhist Temple. There's so many types of temples here in Japan and un-Buddhist me tend to be confused...prollie I should be a Confucius huh?

In the system of 5 Mountain 10 Monasteries System, Tenryu-Ji is ranked number 1 in Kyoto so be sure to come here :)

The highlight for us was the beautiful garden, curated by Zen Master Muso Soseki...backed by the beautiful mountain, it serves as a backdrop for this beautiful garden


The foliage just turned yellow...when it's RED it should be very stunning.


*pic stolen from the web*

see wat I meant......view from the garden to Tenryu-ji. Somehow this year, the autumn foliage came late. I would love to visit again in 2 different season....autumn and spring :))))

They seemed to sense our arrival and gathered at this corner. Sorry I don't have any food for u...anyhow I am not allowed to feed u food.

errr....which Shogun is this?
A Shogun is similar to a military commander or an Admiral for a fleet. It has alwiz been his "dream"....oh well I think he's already one at his office.

I wiki-ed the word shogun and its origin came from as far as 794 during the Heian Period. The original word was Sei-i Taishogun....which translates to...okie dun luff...
which translates...to *behold*
Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force Against the Barbarians

BAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
okie dearie JS there's isn't any barbarians at home, so please don't execute ur power and commands at home...do continue to do so at your office. Only at ur office OK?

One pic for the missie Monkey. I lurve the garden so so much. The water in the pond was so still and clear, the reflection of the trees gave some zen-ness to it. The pebbled gardens was so well maintained *which they have to prepare everyday*

JS: "Wat are u doin?"
Monkey: "Talking to the fishes!!!!"
The fishes lurve me :P
I had to convince them I dun have any food...now go and eat ur planktons.

ladies and gentlemen this is a Cherry Blossom Tree...minus the flowers...hey it's autumn.


After monkey-ing around at the garden, we walked to the famous Bamboo Forest. We were transported to a different place and time. Time was forgotten, everything was so quiet here...it felt good to be lost inside here.

JS was really popular with Japanese gals. Seen here he was snapping pic for them.
T_T
including school kids whom I referred to as "Chibi Maruko" all the time. hahahahaha

the 4 Chibi Marukos then tail-gate JS, b4 hopping out in such cuteness to ask him questions. Giggling they asked where is he from :P then they continued to tail-gate him

I was suppressing my giggles as well bcoz it was so so farnie!! JS can start a mini fan club here bcoz most of the Japanese here are very intrigued with his background.

"Is your mother Japanese?"
"Are you half japanese?"
"you have very nice camera."
were the most common questions thrown at him. He might as well answer yes to all hahahahaha.

The moment spent here is simply magical. Even the camera couldn't capture its magical beauty. Tall straight REALLY GREEN bamboos.

the famous movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was shot here.

Only thing is I couldn't fly on top these beautiful bamboos like Zhang Ziyi and Chow Yun Fatt
:P tee hee hee

There are many other things you can do and visit at Arashiyama. Do visit the website below for more details. *click here*