Arashiyama Garden and Togetsukyo Bridge

Arashiyama area is huge,one can easily spend one or two days here. Apart from the many temples, there were garden, bamboo forest and one long stretch of shopping street and the onsen . Agnes wanted to try out the hot spring (onsen).
All the onsens at Arashiyama, will mostly accept customers with reservation. We started to look for one at around 4pm, all the onsens at that time , were already started to clean up for the day.
I never wanted to try the Japanese onsen, for I know very well that, Japanese hot spring users enjoy themselves fully naked.
Not having a chance to try out the Japanese onsen, Agnes was pretty disappointed. I suggested to just experience the hotel's in-house onsen. But, when she found out that she had to go naked to join in the other ladies, she chickened out !!

Arashiyama garden in spring is always busy with tourists, even on a Monday morning. Most of the tourists on that day was either locals or from nearby Asian countries.

All cherry blossoms were in full bloom. But surprisingly, there was no bees, no butterflies and not fragrant as well. No bees, does that mean there won't be any pollination ? And no cherry !!

Young bride having her wedding photos in a stunning Arashiyama garden in spring. It was pretty chilly on that day, she would just quickly put on her jacket whenever she grasped a chance.

Doves are commonly seen around cherry blossoms trees. Don't think that the tourists are feeding them, they appear well-fed anyhow. Most gardens in Kansai area are covered with pebbles and not lawn. 

Public toilet under a  full bloom cherry blossoms tree..Majority of the public toilets that I have visited in Japan, have been well kept, except just a few of them, which can be found at older subway stations. But, this particular toilet at the entrance of Arashiyama garden was filled with amonia gas when I visited it at the end of my Arashiyama trip in the afternoon. Was a bit disappointed !!

Another full bloom ,willow-shape cherry bloosom overlooking the Oi River at Arashiyama Garden. We planned to have a pinic under this tree before leaving this garden. However, was forced to cancel this wonderful plan, was raining in the afternoon. The well-prepared plastic sheet was used as a huge umbralla instead. And we became the most prepared tourists in Arashiyama that afternoon and attacted quite a bit of attention.

Togetsukyo Bridge , constructed above the famous Hozu River.Cruising up stream along the Hozu River should be a beautiful experience during spring and autumn . River cruising is highly recmmendated by most guide books. But, we opted it out... The bridge connects Arashiyama Garden and the shopping streets at the area.

A monk expecting his alms at the Arahiyama Garden end of Togetsukyo Bridge, he left in the late afternoon. We didn't see him around on our return trip. Another monk that I came across , was near Kamo River in Kyoto, where there were plenty of tourists around.

If you are too tired to walk around the area, just hop on a rickshaw , could be just another option. The driver will serve as a tour guide as well, provided that you do understand Japanese. Fees for richshaw ride is vey much dependant on the distance, that a tourist will prefer, if you are not too big-size, two persons should be able to share one.

All richshaw drivers at Arashiyama, are young and fit, or they won't be able to take up this job at all. We were at one time, not very sure of our direction, and seek direction from one of the drivers. He just showed us the way happily, eventhough we declined his richshaw ride offer. They wear shoses made from cloth, which have the big toe and other toes separated. Could this design is for better grip, specially made for their profession.