Descending Arashiyama
“To look up and never see the sky. To look down and never see the earth.”
-Unknown Zen monk
From the station, we catch a short taxi to the foothills. Peacefully strolling down the hillside towards the town, we visit over one thousand stone Buddhas on a hillside, a 300 year old cafe, a burial ground with ties back to ancient times, a temple founded by two former geisha, a working pottery studio, the villa of a silent film actor, and a majestic bamboo grove. All this as we browse shops filled with handmade goods and enjoying a delicious traditional lunch.
The day ends with strolling through the lush garden of one of Japan’s first Zen temples, which has a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. This wonderful day will undoubtedly stand out in your mind as you think back to your time here in Kyoto.
SITES VISITED
OTAGI NENBUTSU-JI Start the day on the grounds of this temple with history going back to the Heian period. You will get to intimately know the 1,200 stone Buddha disciple statues that you will spend time with here.
HIRANOYA Originating in the Edo period, this cafe is a must-visit while in this part of town.
ADASHINO NENBUTSU-JI Walk among over 8,000 memorial stones gathered from the surrounding mountains and placed together on this site. Walk through a small but very picturesque bamboo grove. This site has strong ties to the surrounding community going back over a millennium and one will notice it is impossible not to be moved here.
ATAGO KAIDO An ancient pilgrimage route leading to one of the major shrines in Kyoto. As we descend into town on this path we will enjoy the traditional streetscape which brings us back to much older times. You will have a chance to browse through a variety of high quality handicraft shops offering traditional bamboo goods, paper, incense, indigo goods, pottery and more.
GIO-JI Visit what was once a nunnery founded by two ex-geisha. As you walk through this moss garden surrounded by the dense bamboo forest you might feel as if you are in a fairy tale world not of this existence.
KOTO-EN You will visit the pottery studio of Hasegawa Shouichi, a pottery legend in the Arashiyama area. Meet Mr. Hasegawa and wander through and appreciate the creations in his atelier.
OKOCHI SANSO Spend time on this sprawling estate of a well known silent film actor. The views from this site are some of the best in all of Arashiyama
SAGANO BAMBOO GROVE Travel through this well known bamboo grove that attracts what seems like millions of visitors every year.
TENRYU-JI Visit one of the first Zen temples in Japan, home to a masterpiece Zen garden. The views here are stunning.
TOGETSUKYO BRIDGE Finish the day at one of the most iconic spots in Kyoto.