Last stop, Togetsu-kyo Bridge

It was almost time to leave Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. My legs were tired after some six hours of walking on a thirty degree day, but I had to stand on Togetsu-kyo Bridge.

Seiryo-ji Temple

This Buddhist temple was set in quiet grounds in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. The site was once a mountain villa, but was later converted into Seiryo-ji Temple.

Arashiyama’s finest old houses

Away from the temples and the Bamboo Forest, was Arashiyama’s preserved area. It was the best laneway to spy some of Kyoto’s finest old style houses. Some even had the traditional thatched roofs. Even more surprising was that not one of the hoards of tourists who stepped into the Bamboo Forest, was here.

An Arashiyama potter

There were several ceramic shops where exquisite pottery was on display that I passed while wandering the back lanes of Kyoto’s Arashiyama. One that caught my eye however, didn’t have a name, at least not in writing that I could read.

An Arashiyama hike

Arashiyama’s back street walkways made a great hike if you could ignore peeking into temples and being distracted by restaurants and tourist shops.

Cemetery amongst the trees

When I meandered on the back laneways of Kyoto’s Arashiyama, I came across a tiny burial ground.

What was it about the Bamboo Forest?

I’d seen countless photos of Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest, but still I wanted to go and see it myself. Crowds strolled through the pathway stopping to take photos as I did. Staring up at these giant sentinels was worth the trip until my gaze returned to eye level.

By the Katsura River

A wide path followed Arashiyama’s Katsura River. Below, boats for hire glided up the river, but I walked on that steamy summer day. Luckily, shade from the lush vegetation provided some relief.

Gems on the way to Katsura River

While hoards of sightseers flooded the main thoroughfare heading towards the Bamboo Forest, I wandered back streets heading in the opposite direction and discovered there was more to admire than just the forest.