To day we started early. we left the hotel about 8 and headed for the local train to Arashiyama. For those thinking of going there take the JR west platforms 32 or 33. Since the train leaves off in the middle of the neighborhood (I take us to the most exciting places) we had to walk a bit to get to Tenryuji. I thought I should get everyone oriented so we headed out to the bridge.
After playing there for a few minutes we decided that we'd go to Tenryuji, the Bamboo forest and back to the main drag for some shopping and lunch.
Tenryuji is a temple complex with wonderful gardens.
The main garden goes around to the back of the temple and you can exit out of the north side into the Bamboo groves. The main path takes you up the side of the hill to the back gate and then brings you back to the pond and out through the main gate. The flowers were in bloom here as well. Although the rhododendrons are starting to die out. There is even wildlife.
After a bit we wandered out the north gate and headed into the forest. I hope that my shot giv you some idea what it was like. The bamboo stretches up to 40-50 ft and goes back as far as tou can see...not that that's very far :)
The new shoots are coming in and are about 12" around and grow very fast. They start out black and loose their outer leaf as the grow. A guide was explaining that they have to watch out under some of the houses because the shoots can push through the floor and roof it not caught in time.
We wandered back to the river and then down to the bridge for lunch and shopping. And then we headed out to Ryoanji. We decided to skip both Diakakuji and Ninnaji this time around. Although may go back and see them on my own at the end. I think I'd like to get to the Imperial palace on this trip as well.
As we entered Ryoanji I noticed something was off. The pond had been drained. It looked like a big mud hole (ok, it was a big mud hole). Looks like they were repairing something on the upper side.
Still, the main attraction is the Abbots garden.
This is supposed to be the best example of a dry landscape garden. It's neat, but unlike those who do little more than gaze rapturously at a pile of rocks (no matter how pretty they are) and try for enlightenment (along with a hundred or so tourists around) I was done after about 5 minutes.
Maybe I'm too cynical but enlightenment can't be attained by staring at a bunch of rocks. Get a teacher and a life folks. From all I've read an been told, the only way to get enlightened is to study, study, study and push yourself. Sorry, rant off. I guess there's something about some of the people who go to this place that sets me on edge. It would probably be best then if I don't go there again :)
So, cynicism well in hand we went on to Kinkakuji. This time the Iris' were in bloom. I don't know what is is about his place, but every time I come here it gets better. Maybe next time I'll try in fall or winter. I'll just let the photo tell the story here.
When we left Jo decided she had had enough for one day and headed for the barn. The rest of us decided to visit a calligraphy shop near the Fujita and to stop at a Hirishimayaki bar we'd found in the Teramachi.
The Hiroshimayaki place is called Takeya and it's address is ... in kanji. Crap. Well, lets make it simple, Just circle the The Teramatchi and look for the food stand with the vacuum packed turtles and turn in there. Alternately, you can enter the Teramatchi from the Fujita hotel side and turn left toward the Police office. Or you can wait until I can get someone to translate it :)
The place sits a dozen along the bar which is really one big griddle. It really is a locals type place but they have been very welcoming to us and even have a rudimentary English menu. The food is fantastic. There are few places here I would go to twice or more in a trip. This is one I'd do again.
I'd bore you with the details of the trip back to the hotel but I really don't want to type them out. So you'll just have to imagine it :)
Tomorrow will be an early day for Mark, Becky and I. We're going to Hiroshima and Himeji while Jo takes a day off to go shopping before we go to the Pearl place on the coast.
Later.
P.S. I just finished the first cut of todays photos. 104. You guys get 12. And I don't think I want DSL. Upload speed sucks.
