Day 5 Thursday: A Peak at the Western Foothills
Started the day, after some laundry and direction finding, by traveling to Kyoto Station to purchase Shinkansen tickets for tomorrow's trip to Shodo Island
Finally, we were on our way to explore some of the views, villas, and bamboo groves of the Western foothills. From Kyoto Station we took the JR San LIne 31-33 to Arashiyama (Mount Arashi) Saga (JR San Line)
After the 30 minute train ride, we began our 20 minute walk to the Grove/Park. Souvenir stores abounded along with stores that sold smoked fish, gourmet popcorn, and cherry blossom soft serv that could be mixed with matcha green tea soft serve. Since we were feeling a bit noshy, we found a fast food restaurant with great smells coming from the griddle and ordered up some Yakisoba (fried noodles, pork, and vegetables) and Takoyaki (fried balls of octopus meat - described as the soul food of Japan) and two ice green teas. YUM!! The food was delicious and really hit the spot.
As we were leaving, we noticed the store had this wall hanging.
A bit further along the way, we found the park and began what was about a 20 minute walk through lovely Bamboo Grove which we had read about with great anticipation.
We had heard about the crowds, but couldn't quite comprehend that of the thousand or so tourists visiting the grove with us, every other one would be in a Kimonos and pause every few feet for a selfie.
We managed to leave the maddening crowd and buy a 1000 yen (about $10) ticket to Okochi Sanso - the house and gardens of film actor Denjiro Okochi. The shrine was built a few years after the Tokyo earthquake in the 30's a promise the young Okochi had made to the gods when he survived the disaster.
This tour ended up in a Tea House, and we partook of the delicious tea, trying to find peace and tranquility.
Back home in rush hour - YIKES, any tranquility we may have gained floated right out the window. The trains were paked/packed/packed. I didn't know that young Japanese schoolchildren demonstrated boson-like behavior (there is no limit to how many you can fit into any one state).
Started the day, after some laundry and direction finding, by traveling to Kyoto Station to purchase Shinkansen tickets for tomorrow's trip to Shodo Island
Finally, we were on our way to explore some of the views, villas, and bamboo groves of the Western foothills. From Kyoto Station we took the JR San LIne 31-33 to Arashiyama (Mount Arashi) Saga (JR San Line)
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| This is what happens if you don't pay your bill |
As we were leaving, we noticed the store had this wall hanging.
A bit further along the way, we found the park and began what was about a 20 minute walk through lovely Bamboo Grove which we had read about with great anticipation.
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| Beautiful Bamboo Grove |
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| One of these things is not like the other |
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| The bamboo soars upwards of 40 feet high |
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| Beautiful couple 1 |
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| Tourists and Bamboo 1 |
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| Beautiful family 2 |
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| Beautiful couple 3 |
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| When in Rome........ |
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| Shadow Couple - always 1 step ahead or behind |
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| Sweet little one in Garden |
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| Shrine that started it all |
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| Moss Garden 1 |
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| Moss Garden 2 |
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| Moss Garden 3 |
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| He with tea |
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| She with tea |
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| Tea |
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