Beyond the already beautiful central Kyoto, these days, another location that people visit when they drop by Kyoto is to go around Arashiyama and Sagano. These 2 areas are home to bamboo grooves and some of the world heritage temples.
This is an overall view of Arashiyama taken from Togetsukyo bridge. More about the bridge as we go along.
Arashiyama is located on the western part of Kyoto. It is famous for it's natural beauty as well as the bamboo groves in the area. Being just in the middle of this bamboo forest somehow makes you feel like you've been transported to another world (of course, provided it's less congested with tourists)!
One of the many shrines that we've visited is this, Nonomiya shrine. This is another Shinto shrine which apparently enshrined a few gods here. One of them is a god of good match and marriage, and another is a god of easy delivery. And just as all the other shrines, you'll find wishing plates and amulets hung at the shrine.
Along the way, you'll pass by a train track. There will be a pole to stop you from crossing when a train is on its way. Otherwise, you're free to cross over to the other side of the bamboo grove.
In the same area, you'll also find the back of Tenryuji Temple, which is a zen temple now registered as UNESCO world heritage site. Though the temple buildings were repeatedly lost in fires and wars, the garden survived in the original form. To enter and appreciate the beauty of this place, an entrance fee of 500Y is required.
The Togetsu-kyo bridge which has been a landmark in this area for the past 4 centuries! The wooden bridge has been used in historical films before.
Of course, in an area this huge, if you're not up for walking, there will be assistance provided in the form of "iron" ladies/men trishaw services. They will pull you through the bamboo groves as well as the various temples and shrines and all the way to the other end where the bridge is situated.
It was a beautiful surprise to spot this little souvenir shop on our way out of Arashiyama touristy area. This shop sells all sorts of cute, handmade fabric souvenirs be it in a sushi platter, or an individual miniature round puffer fish. If you've some money to spare, why not get them as a momento?
To get to Arashiyama, you can get from Kyoto Station to JR-Sagano Saga-Arashiyama station. This will be covered by your JR Pass. Otherwise, you can also try the Keifuku or Hankyu Arashiyama line.
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