Day 6 - Beauty of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Zen Temple in Kyoto, Japan

D6 - 24 September 2018

Map of Arashiyama - Japan

This morning I took a train ride from the Kyoto main train station to Saga Arashiyama (purple line) - the nearest station to reach the famous tourist place - Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The one-way ticket cost 240 yen (S$3). It was only 6 stops and took about 15 minutes to reach.

Rent bicycle information in Arashimaya - Japan

To reach the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove from the train station, you could just walk down the path or rent the bicycle. The bike rental was located not far from the train station and the information as per the above signage. I had a walk there though :)

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - Japan

Many fallen bamboo trees scene were seen due to the Typhoon Jebi (Japan strongest' storm in 25 years) that happened back in September 6, 2018 (see the background my the above photo), but it did not deter tourists from visiting the place. You could also choose to take the rickshaw wearing the kimono to experience the ambiance fully at your own additional cost, which did not come cheap.

Nonomiya-jinja Shrine - Arashiyama, Japan

In a while you would pass by the Nonomiya-jinja Shrine (a shrine of marriage). Many women visited this shrine to get the marriage blessing.

Nonomiya-jinja Shrine - Arashiyama, Japan

Marriage talisman was sold in the shrine office. The place was small but worth visiting.

Shops and restaurants full of tourist - Arashiyama, Japan

I walked through the main road where many shops and restaurants were there on the both sides. Just walked all the way straight until I saw the Arashiyama most iconic landmark - Togetsukyo Bridge or the Moon Crossing Bridge.

Togetsukyo Bridge or Moon Crossing Bridge - Arashiyama most iconic landmark - Japan

It was originally built during Heian period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in 1930s. In late autumn the view here would be super fantastic!! The greenness that you saw on the above photo would changed into colorful autumn leaves.

% Arabica coffee - Arashiyama, Japan

Not far from there, you could find % Arabica, the artisanal Arabica chain selling some of the best coffee in the city. It was a long queue but I guessed it was worth waiting :D

Display of Yudofu set lunch - Yudofu Sagano - Arashiyama, Japan

We continued walking towards the Japanese yudofu (beancurd) specialty restaurant called Yudofu Sagano in less than 10 minutes walking distance. We came earlier so we waited there until the restaurant opened at 11 am. While waiting we could see the set lunch menu displayed outside the main entrance.

Actual lunch dining set - Yudofu Sagano - Arashiyama, Japan

There were 3 types of main course available for guest to choose for each set lunch: cold tofu, boiled tofu, and cold noodle, while the other side dishes were served equally in each set. Lunch set cost 3,800 yen (S$47.50). The above was what it looked like in actual :)

Yudofu Sagano - Japanese Dofu specialty restaurant - Arashiyama, Japan

We were seated in tatami style with glass window overseeing the beautiful Japanese garden. It was said that the view would be even better during spring time, as there would be cherry blossom trees. The tofu portion was quite a lot. I was very full with all the dishes served, feeling blessed lah!!! :D

Beautiful garden view at Yudofu Sagano - Arashiyama, Japan

The above was the garden view seen from the other angle. Felt so serene and peaceful :)

Tenryu-ji Zen Temple - A United Nations World Heritage Site - Arashiyama, Japan 

After lunch, it was time to do some exercise. Tenryu-ji Zen Temple was the next destination. The temple had some scenic area for people to appreciate and it was one of the United Nations world heritage sites. If you would like to know more about its history, click here.

Tenryu-ji's Kuri (temple's kitchen and administrative office) - Arashiyama, Japan

Ticket and other visiting information could be found here. Too bad the main Hatto or Dharma hall was closed by the time I reached as there was event going on inside. Therefore, we were only left with a choice of visiting its beautiful Sogenchi Teien or Sogen pond garden located right next to it.

Beautiful Sogenchi Teien (Sogen Pond Garden) view next to the Tenryu-ji Temple - Arashiyama, Japan

The garden was really beautiful offering a picturesque autumn leaves reflection by the pond. What a lovely view!!! :)

Quote inspiration from the Sogenchi Teien - Arashiyama, Japan

It inspired me to write the above quote :)

Beautiful nature inside the Tenryu-ji Temple - Arashiyama, Japan

People could walk in and around the area. Various mushrooms could be spotted on the wooden steps as well and the bamboo grove was somehow connected to this temple offering a serene ambiance. Overall, I had a very enjoyable time there despite no chance to visit the main temple area.

Mid-Autumn Festival dinner celebration inside our hotel room :)

We went back to Kyoto by train and it was free time afterwards. I spent it walking around the Kyoto train station. We had dinner gathering inside the hotel room, celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival eating the moon cakes that I brought all the way from Singapore. We had some other food and/ or snacks, fruits, accompanied with Kyo-Baishinan Umeshu (sweet Japanese plum wine) and Chinese tea.

Late night supper :P

And late night when I felt hungry, someone helped me buying the Japanese dry instant noodle and my favorite orange jelly from 7-eleven. Thank you to you know who you were!!! Without it, I would not be able to sleep peacefully that night... Hahahahahaha..... :P

So, another day passed by and one more day, one more post. Hope you do not get bored reading all these posts :) Let me call it a day for now and see you again!!! :)