Saturday in Arashiyama, Part 4

'M' is for...

...yes, that's right, 'monkeys'.

On our way back from the Kokedera/Saihoji area the sun came out and we continued with our plan to go to the Monkey Park/Iwatayama right by Togetsukyo. The views from the top of the park were great and we could see all the way to Hotel Okura and beyond. Of course, the main event, the monkeys, were out and about doing their thing and were as fun as ever to watch amongst the beautiful fall foliage.

Enjoying the views:



After coming back into the central city P spotted with her little eye a kimono/yukata shop in Zest, the underground shopping mall that runs a couple of blocks west of Kawaramachi Street underneath Oike Street. And there at the front of the store was the kimono that we'd be looking for. A perfect way to end our day out.

Saturday in Arashiyama, Part 3

Taking a break at Takenodera.

Saturday in Arashiyama, Part 2

While P was doing shakyo etc inside Kokedera/Saihoji I visited the Japanese tea shop across the road and a little bit back towards the bus stop. This shop has a glorious garden which is best enjoyed at this time of year. I enjoyed talking to the owner and petting her friendly cat. After that I headed back up the road to check out the start of the hike towards Arashiyama.

Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Friendly cat

Matcha and wagashi

Wagashi close-up

Bamboo

Mushrooms on a log

Saturday in Arashiyama, Part 1

P had never been to Arashiyama before so we went (with the all the other tourists) to the bamboo forest. On the way we made a quick visit to a shrine with a fabulous moss 'carpet' as pictured below. Back by the main shopping street in Arahiyama we enjoyed a black sesame kintsuba then made our way to Togetsukyo via the stores in our search for a yukata/kimono with a momiji pattern for P. Unfortunately we had no luck with the yukata/kimono (-the ones we found with the momiji pattern were too 'busy') but we did finally find the bus stop for Kokedera/Saihoji and manage to have a spot of lunch before setting off to make P's appointment at the temple.

Moss Carpet

Fall colors at the end of the Bamboo Tunnel

We tried the black sesame kintsuba (-on the left). It was really good.

View from Togetsukyo

Lunch of yattai yakisoba and okonomiyaki in the making-it was good especially the okonomiyaki.

Hozukyo in Fall

Last weekend P and I had both wanted to do the Takao to Kiyotaki hike but with an appointment made for early in the afternoon we found we didn't have time so instead we went to Hozukyo and took photos from the platform before we went on to Arashiyama.

Looking up the river.

The Hozukyo Station platform is on a bridge.

Looking towards Kameoka.

Looking down the river to the Romace Train.

Some of the tourist boats from Kameoka heading towards to Arashiyama.

Relay Race by the River

This last year T has been training at least 3/4 times a week. Last month he was selected for his school's relay race team and the training doubled. The team's hard work all paid off when they came in 2nd in a long distance relay race last week. Well done T and team. We're really proud of you!

As you can see it was perfect weather.

Go T go!

Lunch Favorite

This is one of my favorites. It's Hokkaidon from a restaurant near Shokokuji. Can't remember the name but if you go out of the temple grounds on the road that heads towards the river you'll find it beyond the kindergarten on the left. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and public holidays.