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Be part of us to discover Kyoto’s spectacular autumn foliage in Arashiyama from off the overwhelmed path spots and Hozugawa River.
All through this four-part sequence, I’ll inform you the very best time to go to Kyoto, share some ideas and tips for having fun with 紅葉 (kōyō – autumn leaves), and at last, spotlight the highest spots in Kyoto, together with one bonus episode in Osaka.
Arashiyama is one in every of Kyoto’s hottest districts, famed for its spectacular bamboo forest, picturesque mountain surroundings, and varied outlets, cafes, and eating places. Whereas many guests go to Arashiyama to wander by way of the towering bamboo forest (also referred to as Arashiyama Bamboo Forest or Sagano Bamboo Forest), I need to present you all the opposite implausible sights and actions you are able to do within the space. I’ll discover and present you 5 spots round Arashiyama, the place you’ll be able to marvel on the autumn leaves, together with a calming mountain cruise and a few Kyoto sweets!
So, let’s get into the motion!
Attending to Arashiyama
Arashiyama is definitely accessible, taking simply 17 minutes alongside the JR San-in line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station. The world is full of issues to do, from the Iwatayama Monkey Park and varied temples and shrines to numerous cafes and eating places.
Should you plan to go to Arashiyama, I like to recommend getting up early to beat the crowds, particularly if you wish to go to the bamboo forest (which I received’t cowl right here, however you’ll be able to test it out in our Kyoto Journey Information).
You may benefit from the morning solar with a ravishing orange hue that engulfs the encompassing mountains and Togetsukyo Bridge. To the west of the bridge, the Katsura River leads you up the mountains, whereas to the east, the Hozu River leads you down into the town.
There’s an air of serenity because the locals put together their outlets, stalls, and boats for the upcoming busy day.
Bread, Espresso and Arashiyama Backyard “ESPRESSO &”
Anyway, after your early morning travels, you’ll need some breakfast. One of many few locations that open early within the morning is Bread, Espresso and Arashiyama Backyard.
Buried within the slender streets, the cafe provides freshly baked bread, sandwiches, and varied meals.
From paninis to plate units, there’s a lot to select from. I made a decision on the “An Butter toast set”. An, or purple bean paste and butter, is a well-liked taste mixture and one in every of my favorites. To make it even higher, the toast was an additional tick slice of shokupan (Japanese milk bread) that was crispy on the surface and fluffy on the within. Together with a cup of espresso, it was the right begin to a day.
The cafe is one in every of many branches however is likely one of the most lovely, surrounded by a Japanese backyard.
Somekobo Yumeyusai
Somekobo Yumeyusai lies alongside the Katsura River that runs by way of Arashiyama. It’s exhausting to explain the power as it’s half museum and half workshop, providing a singular Yumekorozome dyeing expertise. Relying on the sunshine, the dye adjustments shade, which has acquired acclaim throughout Japan and the world.
Nevertheless, for two,000 yen, you’ll be able to tour the constructing, which provides among the most picturesque surroundings I’ve ever seen.
Undoubtedly, the constructing provides a singular view of Arashiyama, however it’s closely catered to photographers, which isn’t a nasty factor. It’s simply not a spot the place you’ll be able to sit and chill out.
The workers will usher you thru the rooms, the place you have to wait as folks take their footage.
The primary room is a mirror-esque desk reflecting the autumn leaves by way of the open terrace.
You’ll then be guided to a room with the same setting however with spherical home windows.
Lastly, the surface terrace has some seating that overlooks Katsura River.
You can too discover a desk of water and a few pipettes to create your personal surroundings.
I extremely advocate making a reservation on-line for two,000 yen. There are lengthy traces in autumn, and for those who don’t have a reservation, you’ll possible not be capable to enter. I must also be aware that kids will not be allowed in. Usually Somekobo Yumeyusai is open all year long, with December and January taking up a particular snowy look.
Observe: It’ll be closed till March 2024 for roofing repairs.
Hoguzawa River Cruise
One distinctive method to benefit from the autumn leaves and surrounding surroundings is on the Hoguzawa River Cruise. It begins within the mountains close to Kameoka Station and descends into Arashiyama surrounded by the autumnal mountains. I like to recommend reserving on their web site, particularly for those who go to in autumn. You may choose your most popular time with the one-hour cruise costing 4,500 yen for adults and three,000 yen for kids. If the water degree is low, the cruise can take as much as one and a half hours so schedule accordingly.
Cruise Suggestions
An necessary level is that it’s a one-way journey from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Should you plan to convey any giant baggage, go away it in a coin locker at Saga-Arashiyama Station. In any other case, after the cruise, you have to return to Kameoka Station to gather your baggage.
From Saga-Arashiyama Station, board the JR San-in Line to Kameoka Station (200 yen a technique). It’s a ten-minute stroll from the station to the cruise boarding level.
On the boarding station, you can be assigned a quantity. Contained in the ready foyer is a memento store and a small cafe. Alternatively, you’ll be able to sit and wait exterior on the benches.
Round 20 folks board one boat, which is operated by three workers.
River Tour
As you undergo the mountains and descend into Arashiyama, they’ll inform you concerning the space’s historical past and a few distinctive spots alongside the way in which.
At totally different factors, there are rapids. Regardless of being rocky, I by no means felt at risk, and the workers helped everybody really feel comfy.
They even identified this tree that regarded like a silhouette of Totoro from Studio Ghibli!
Should you’re fortunate, you’ll additionally see the Sagano Romantic Practice go by! The prepare is one other method to view the autumn surroundings, however it is rather standard, so you should definitely ebook prematurely for those who plan to go.
Wild monkeys and different animals roam the river and mountains, so be looking out!
You’ll additionally go Hoshino Kyoto, a luxurious resort within the model of a ryokan (conventional Japanese inn), which you’ll be able to solely entry by the resort’s boat!
Close to the tip of the cruise, you’ll be greeted by a ship promoting varied meals and drinks, from Mitarashi Dango to grilled squid.
I used to be just a little early (twenty fourth November 2023), so the bushes weren’t the vivid colours, I hope, nevertheless it was a implausible cruise and a singular expertise. I might extremely advocate placing it in your Kyoto itinerary.
Tenryu-ji Temple
The primary and hottest temple in Arashiyama is Tenryu-Ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It was established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) in honor of Emperor Go-Daigo, who had simply handed away. As with many different temples round Kyoto, the fires and wars within the metropolis destroyed the unique buildings. The temple’s backyard is the one surviving space. For 500 yen, you’ll be able to enter the backyard, and for an additional 300 yen, you get entry to the primary corridor.
Created by the well-known backyard designer Muso Soseki, the backyard incorporates a pond surrounded by the Arashiyama’s mountains, with a colourful show of autumn leaves.
You may stroll across the backyard grounds, having fun with the totally different sceneries of the temple and nature.
Inside the primary corridor, you’ll be able to discover the standard Japanese inside structure and gardens from an inside perspective.
Within the Hattō (Dharma Corridor), for 500 yen, you’ll be able to see the well-known Cloud-Dragon Portray. The Hatto was traditionally used the place the grasp delivered his sermons, educating the Buddha Dharma to the assembled monks.
Jojakko-ji Temple
Jojakko-Ji Temple is roughly a 15-minute stroll away from JR-Saga Arashiyama Station. Regardless of being comparatively near the primary Arashiyama space, it felt like an oasis from the bustling middle.
The temple was based by a monk known as Nisshin (1561-1617), who used it as a retreat for his retirement. There’s a 400 yen entrance price.
The principle entrance is a formidable thatched Niomon Gate, with a steep staircase main in the direction of the primary corridor and gardens.
The principle corridor shows an outline of Myoken, a Bodhisattva, and the deification of the North Star.
Across the temple grounds, you’ll discover a moss backyard, a small bamboo forest, and a 12-meter pagoda, categorised as an Vital Cultural Property.
Marvel across the backyard and luxuriate in its tranquility and exquisite surroundings.
Nison-in Temple
Just some minutes north is Nisoin-in Temple. Its entrance is marked by a wood gate in-built 1613, framing a pathway lined with maple bushes. To enter the temple, there’s a 500 yen admission price.
Situated on the base of Mount Ogura, the temple dates again to the ninth century. Nison-in means the “two revered photographs” in Japanese, referring to the dual Heian Interval Buddhist statues in the primary temple corridor – Shaka Nyorai and Amitabha Tathagata.
Shaka Nyorai sends those that’ve died from this life to the afterlife, whereas Amitabha Tathagata welcomes them into Buddhist heaven.
You can too benefit from the small stone backyard from the primary corridor terrace.
Across the grounds, yow will discover Benten-do, a temple for the goddess Benzaiten, a Mausoleum of Priest Tanku, and a small tea room.
It was stunning how shut Jojakko-Ji and Nison-in had been to the bamboo forest, but so quiet and supplied unbelievable surroundings of Arashiyama’s nature!
eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama
Alongside the primary avenue of Arashiyama, there are numerous eating places and cafes to select from. Nevertheless, there are sometimes lengthy traces, so I attempted to seek out one thing off the primary highway and got here throughout eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama, recognized for its sweets.
One among their most well-known dishes is the dango set, which you’ll be able to grill over a charcoal burner. It comes with three sticks of regular dango and three sticks of matcha dango.
Accompanying it’s a facet of purple bean paste and mitarashi sauce to dip in and eat as you want.
There’s an earthy and subtly candy bowl of matcha to scrub every little thing down.
The cafe’s inside was giant however felt homely on the identical time, making it a implausible spot to chill out.
In order that’s it for Arashiyama on this information. Whereas the bamboo forest is the primary vacation spot, I hope this evokes you to go off and discover the smaller streets, temples, and shrines, which provide as lovely views as the primary sights. Subsequent, I’ll discover Uji, the realm of all issues matcha, with probably the most beautiful temple I’ve ever visited. Keep tuned!
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