The iconic Togetsukyo Bridge
The autumn colours splashing across the mountains of Arashiyama which set as a backdrop against the famous sight of Oi River. The morning was cool and misty.
An old man who jogged by offered in taking a picture for us. What a kind soul, which is not a surprise at all, only in Japan.
Let the pictures do wonder, coz they worth a thousand words.
Spot where am I? Emo feel...
After picture snapping, we ambled towards Tenryuji, the most important zen temple in Arashiyama district, which is now registered as world heritage site.
A barren lotus pond during autumn....along the way to Tenryuji.
Beautiful autumn colours....
This is how a normal Zen garden will look like, with arranged pattern pebble, which creates a tranquil space. Zen gardens incorporate all the natural elements, which could bring peace and harmony. The act of raking the pattern pebble is said to bring peace and calm, known as Zen state.
The reflection of forested Arashiyama mountains, painted beautifully, against the calmness of the pond in the garden.
Inside the drawing hall, Shoin, where people seeking for peace of mind and soul.
Saw group of people tossing coins into a pond with frogs statue. Wishing for a frog prince perhaps? LOL.....
Be marvelled with the Sagano Bamboo Forest just after you walked out of Tenryuji. The crisp morning breeze was just perfect for a morning walk, with rays of sunlight trying to shine through the densely lined bamboo forest. You might want to carve words of affection on the bamboo poles just like the picture below. :D
Please give way and watch out for vehicles which drive through along the bamboo forest.
Nonomiya Jinja Shrine. Many are said to visit and pray here for happy marriage and ease in child delivery.
Arashiyama not only famous for its beautiful forested landscape and temples, many cafes, restaurants and shops selling souvenirs and snacks can be found.
Peeping through a glass window, where a guy in a restaurant, was seen engrossed in making Kyoto famous yuba.
After rambling around the peaceful rural ambience of Arashiyama, we stopped by a noodle shop for lunch. Hubby had ramen with tempura, while I had nishin soba with smoked herring, so comforting and the soba was al dente, just to my liking.
Having had a simple yet satisfying meal, we made our way to a bus stop to get back to Kyoto station. Saw maikos, apprentice geisha, along the way. We waited for bus numbered 28 for almost 1 hour but to no avail. Stopped a bus numbered 74 and requested for some help. The bus driver was kind enough to explain to us that it took a much longer route to get to Kyoto station. But luckily the driver said he would passed by and dropped us at a junction where we could walk to JR Saga Arashiyama Station.
We had to rush back to the Kyoto Station, as we had reserved a shinkansen (bullet train) departing to Tokyo at 1.43 pm. Luckily we heeded the driver's advice to take train instead of bus, to getback to Kyoto. See the massive traffic during noon time. More visitors, tour groups and including locals flocked the place for Arashiyama autumn wonder.
The serene Arashiyama which we observed in the morning, suddenly broke into a hassle and bustle touristy place.
2 stops away from Arashiyama Goen bus stop, we reached the junction, and the driver called out to us, and told us to walk straight along a street for 5 minutes or so with his less fluent English. I thanked him repeatedly, coz he was our saviour! If not because of him, we would definitely missed our shinkansen.
Not before long, we saw JR Saga Arashiyama station from a distance, felt so relieved!
We didn't wait for too long before the train heading to Kyoto pulled into the station.
Here we were at last, at the Kyoto station....the Kyoto Tower.
Checked out from Hotel Hokke Club, which was located just opposite to Kyoto Station and we lugged our luggage towards Kyoto station again. That's the advantage of staying near to a main train station. Travelling became such a breeze! Took some pictures of the JR Kyoto Station.
Shinkansen (bullet train)
Our Nozomi shinkansen would depart at 13.43 pm from Kyoto to Tokyo. Nozomi is supposed to be faster than Hikari as Hikari usually makes more stops.
Bought some snack and drink to kill time. Drinks from the vending machine were marvellous. So many varieties, cold and hot. I prefer hot sugarless coffee and milk tea in autumn. The hot cans can be super warming when you hold them in hands during cold days....It took roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Tokyo.
When we arrived at Tokyo station, delayed no time, we transferred to another line to get to our hotel in Shinjuku. We stayed at Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku for 8 nights. Frankly speaking, I am a happy return customer of this hotel, and had been staying there for the 3rd time!
Had porkie dinner at a random izakaya restaurant in Shinjuku South. The list of menu comprised mainly porkie dishes, ranging from its nabe (Japanese hotpot), to grilled on sticks porkie.
Fried porkie cutlet on hotplate was so yummy. The cutlet was so juicy and tender while the outer part of the meat was cooked to crispiness, served with fried sliced garlic, some baby potatoes and spring onion. In fact everything tasted so GOOD. That's why I couldn't resist of keep going back to Japan! The FOOD...I tell you... Oh my god! Gracious! The next picture was the lightly crusted deep fried stuffed shiitake mushroom with minced porkie. It was not oily at all though deep fried, tasted just perfect with squeeze of lemon juice.
We had assorted BBQ porkie.....from pork belly, pork collar to its internal organs. The meal was such a real porkie business! But we loved it so much!
Lastly pork belly nabe to warm our stomach on cold night.
After gratifying porkie dinner, it was time for us to retrieve back to hotel for a well-deserved rest. Beautiful Christmas illumination at Shinjuku South.
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