Unfortunately, during the 2 times that I visited Arashiyama, I missed both the optimum seasons to visit because of school commitments. The following is a complication of photos that I took during my visits in September 2010 and December 2011.
One of the main attractions in Arashiyama is this bamboo forest.
Before I reached the bamboo forest, I had to arrive at the Saga-Arashiyama station on the Sagano Line. Compared to other areas in Kyoto and in Japan, this area retains its "traditional character" in that there are not that many ugly concrete buildings or neon signs.
Like any other major tourist attraction, there are heaps of shops that mainly cater to domestic tourists. I would assume that the majority sell food-related souvenirs.
This particular shops specializes in Kyoto-style tsukemono (Japanese preserved vegetables).
At night, the area with the shops is definitely more atmospheric!
One of the main attractions, is the Togetsukyō Bridge (渡月橋), "Moon Crossing Bridge", which crosses the Hozu River (保津川).
Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with me that day. Cloudy and depressing.
And the bridge is lit up every night.
I think you can ride on of this tour boats which gives the area a feel of "old Japan" that is almost extinct everywhere else in modern-day Japan.
The view from the bridge.
On the other side of the Hozu River.
The Hozu River, unfortunately, due to the need to "control nature", it seems that the entire river bed is lined with concrete?
Around the area, there are some very "traditional" looking eating establishments.
Afterwards I went to the Tenryū-ji (天龍寺), one of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is one of those temples with split admission fees. The garden's admission cost 500 yen while the temple only cost 100 yen to enter.
Next stop, the bamboo forest! The bamboo forest is actually located behind the temple. No admission charge. The walking path was surprisingly long and kind of looped around like a maze.
The same bamboo forest, but in December 2011, during the yearly illumination event every December in Kyoto at certain sites.
At one of the exits of the bamboo forest, there is a steam train called the "Sagano Romantic Train". Nothing more romantic than couples riding a packed and bumpy steam train full of annoying tourists?
The train goes through a gorge where you get scenic views of the Hozu River. Unfortunately because of the crowds, I could not even get a chance to take a picture of the steam train before I was rushed to board the train by staff.
Here is the station at Arashiyama where I am waiting for the train bound for Kameoka.
The gorge.
The end of the line. Nothing but farmer's fields! Instead of taking the steam train back, I walked to the nearby JR train station and took the normal commuter train back to Kyoto.
Apparently the rafts that I saw in the gorge are run by a "Tom Sawyer Rafting Adventures". What a curious name for a rafting company in Kyoto...
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