The best things in life and travel are free.
Marty and I are not averse to spending money on experiences and there are plenty of ways to do so Kyoto, but there are many budget options as well.
Shrines are free to visit – even the amazing Orange Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha and provide an exciting window into another culture.
Temple entrance fees are inexpensive and the gardens that surround them quite often steal the show.
Walking isn’t just exercise when everything around you is new and exciting.
Before we start walking we’re catching a train to the historical area of Arashiyama in the west of Kyoto. Arriving at the Hankyu Arashiyama Terminal necessitates a walk across the Hozu river – a definite bonus as far as I am concerned. See the bottom of this post for more transport options.
The antics of the boatmen and their passengers are intriguing and in Autumn, the orange, red and yellow mountain provides a colourful backdrop. In Spring the cherry trees around the Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge) and riverside in Nakanoshima park flower and are a popular spot for Hanami – parties held beneath the Sakura (cherry blossoms). We will definitely be returning to Japan to celebrate Hanami in the future.
I’ve written a post on exploring the river but here is a reminder of what the Hozugawa Gorge looks like from Kameyama Park – I love that eagle eye view.
A few metres away these picnickers have a completely different view.
Next on our agenda is finding the path through the famous Bamboo Groves.
These signs look the part but don’t worry if you can’t read Japanese – there are plenty of tourists around to compare maps with.
The Bamboo Grove.
Entrance to the grove is free. Don’t expect a huge bamboo forest here but do expect an impressive short pathway lined by towering bamboo. Even with loads of people moving through, the grove holds a magical quality.We accessed it by a picturesque riverside walk and climb but it can also be accessed from the main street north of the entrance to Tenrryu-ji Temple.
When approaching from the hill as we did take a right turn when exiting the grove to visit Tenryu-ji (temple). At 500 yen for garden only entrance and a further 100 yen for the temple itself Tenryu-ji is another budget reason to visit this interesting district – stay tuned for a post on the temple gardens.
On the same side of the river as the Hankyu Arashiyama Terminal is the Iwatayama Monkey park. Follow the river past the bridge and take a 10 minutes uphill hike. The monkeys rome free and the humans are in a cage. 550 yen entrance.
This post is linked to Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday over at Budget Travelers Sandbox and
Noel’s Travel Photo Monday at Travel Photo Discovery.
Transport to Arashiyama
Hankyu Main line from Kawaramachi or Karasuma Station in Kyoto’s Shijo Dori to Katsura then change to Hankyu Arashiyama Line (easy). 20 min. 220 yen
JR Saga-Arashiyama Line from Kyoto Train Station 10-15 min 240 yen.
The cute purple cars of the Randen Line (Keifuku line) from Omiya Station on Shijo-dori – the same line that leads to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple) and the peaceful zen temple Ninna-Ji.
We choose the train option over buses every time. Buses are good but if you have to stand whilst they are stuck in traffic they are less appealing. Look out for Kyoto City buses #28 and #11 or Kyoto City #71, #72 and #73.
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Wow. What a peaceful place that must be during the off season when there aren’t many people about. 🙂 The bamboo is magnificent!
Lovely photos… I love Arashiyama too…
That view of the river is gorgeous. I’m putting this on my want to walk list.Walking is a wonderful way to see things up close that you’d never see speeding by in a car a train. Thanks for sharing!
We love Japan and have been on several trips but still haven’t managed to make the timing work for an autumn trip yet. It looks amazing and your photos are great too.
Thanks Toni. I know you love Japan too, I’ve read your amazing posts!
These photos are just totally magical Jan, the colours are stupendous. Your posts make me want to go to Japan more and more.
Thanks Phoebe, You know I never really thought about visiting Japan before I saw those cheap airfares and now I am so glad we went. We’ll be back for sure.
Wow, I really love the fences, we have so much wild bamboo here, I would love to do something like this. Fall time is stunning there!
That’s a great idea Noel. Autumn in Kyoto was wonderful, can’t wait for Spring 2016 when we hope to see the cherry blossoms.
Superb! The best things in life are free. I love walking when I’m travelling and exploring some of the lesser known parts of a place. The colours of the trees in the gorge are amazing. Your photos really capture the kaleidoscope of colours in Kyoto.
I love walking when we are travelling too Kathy. Of course it is not a budget saver when I get side-tracked into the shops. I noticed Marty steered me across the street when we passed an attractive purse shop when we were in Kyoto recently. He denies this strenuously!
The colours were amazing Kathy and it is true the best things in life are free (and some that are expensive too of course!)
Has anyone else noticed how fun it is to scroll back and forth over the vertical photo? Almost feels like I’m climbing. 🙂 Great shot.
I just had a go Bob, I would never have noticed it by myself. 🙂
Many years ago we went to Arashiyama when our children were young. It was a fantastic day. I remember we hired bikes and went cycling and I also remember the monkeys although I don’t think we had to pay to see them then. They were just hanging around a playground where our boys were playing. Your photos of the bamboo are just stunning – it makes me want to go back.
Hi Jan, this post made my day. Autumn is my favorite season and seeing the beautiful autumn colors in your photos warmed up my heart (in this freezing, snowy 2nd day of spring morning in NY). And I love bamboos. They bring so serene beauty to any place. They look so majestic in the Bamboo Forest and you photographed them so beautifully. Japanese gardens are always so calming too so I look forward to read about your post on temple gardens.
These photos are incredible! I have been to bamboo forests but they are not nearly as impressive as this one. The place looks so serene and peaceful!
wow!Stunning captures and a lovely place.View of the river is amazing!
We have been there and it was amazing. That is why we love walking also, discovering unique things along the way.
WOW – that first photo of the eagle eye view….Jan you so need to put your pics into a travel book!
We love free travel as well, there is so much to see out there in the world!
Gorgeous photos of the Bamboo Forest 🙂
Thanks for your support Lisa, I really appreciate it. 🙂
Gorgeous – both the bamboo forest and the gorge. Yes PLEASE. On my mist now.
Japan is awesome Leigh and Arashiyama has a lot on offer.
What a stunning place! Adding it to my Japan bucket list for next year! Glad to hear Japan doesn’t have to break the bank!
Japan is an amazing destination. We’ll definitely be back.
Hi Jan. That first photo is stunning. The bamboo is gorgeous, and when I get back to Kyoto this is definitely on my list to see. Thanks for linking you this week. #TPThursday
Thanks Nancie. Yes definitely go to Arashiyama, you could spend the whole day there.
I’m so disappointed to have missed the bamboo forest during our Kyoto visit too. That bamboo grove is just spectacular. Your beautiful photos of Kyoto have really inspired me to look into visiting Japan during the Autumn season one of these days. Love all the colors!
Those bamboos are so impressive! I never thought they could grow so thick!
Jan, I’ve seen photos of this time and again, and each time it makes me want to go! Love it!