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Day 12 - Into the Tourist Grove

Arashiyama

NOTE: Our WiFi has been a bit slow so photos are a day behind. 

We braved the madness of Kyoto station this morning to venture off to Arashiyama. Arashiyama and Sagano is a tourist hot spot thanks to its knockout scenery and the chance to escape the city for some nature. Thankfully, as we're discovering, we are here at the tail end of the height of spring season. Because of the Instagramers, cruisers, and school children, the bamboo forest was just as busy as anticipated. That didn't stop it from being beautiful, just a little harder to enjoy.

Jon had the excellent suggestion of visiting some of the nearby temples which also have their own charm and in the case of one, a private bamboo forest. We first visited Adashino Nenbutsuji, a serene temple atop a hill featuring it's own bamboo grove (unfortunately not void of Instagram husbands taking 1000s of photos of their wives) and eight thousand carved stone memorial statues.

We took a relaxing break at a small cafe serving unique matcha and tea drinks. The owner whisked the matcha for Jon coffee with matcha in front of us. Lisa had a pea flower tea with syruped peaches. She ordered it with whipped cream, but was okay when it didn't come with it. Halfway through the drink the owner noticed cyd there was no whipped cream. She was so contrite she made Lisa a new drink, on the house. We each left a Five-star Google review (truth be told, we were already in the process of writing those reviews before she made the new drink). The whipped cream was worth it!

Our second stop up the Saga Toriimoto preserved street was Otagi Nenbutsuji. This temple was founded in the 8th century and featured more than 1200 carve statues that now cover the hillsides. These are rakan, the followers of Buddha created by everyday people who made a pilgrimage to learn carving under the guidance of sculpture master Kocho Nishimura. Some are deep in prayer, some are silly, some are holding pets or children, but each reflects the different artist's vision for what was in the stone when they carved it.

We enjoyed a quick tonkatsu and croquette lunch at Kyoto station. We had to go up to the 11th floor of the train station, but it was a lovely experience. After our later lunch we took the train back across town to do some shopping and had a light sushi dinner at the most adorable mom and pop shop imaginable. Imagine you're wandering the streets of a Japanese city, hungry, and stop at a banner covered doorway. It’s a small sushi bar owned/operated and chefed by an elderly Japanese couple. Their son is the server and offer a limited but fresh menu. You get the special after being served hot tea and a cold beer. The plates are mismatched and the food comes as it’s ready. That's what we found. Dream unlocked.

By walking home we were able to do more shopping but as tomorrow is transfer day, we need to start packing. There is less and less space in the suitcases. 

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