After half a day spent at charming Arashiyama, I took the train back to Kyoto Station. Instead of rushing back to Shiori-an Guesthouse to collect my bags, I decided to explore the station.
Because Kyoto Station looks pretty coolBuilt at a cost of $1.25 billion, the station building complex houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilitiesKyoto Station is a tourist attraction by itselfThis is the SkywalkKyoto tower, right opposite Kyoto stationThe train tracks belowThe Skywalk is simply one long path taking people from one end of Kyoto station to anotherYou have restaurants and other stores on this sideThere is a rooftop garden and viewing deck at this end as wellAnd a helipadIt was time to go back downI wouldn’t call Kyoto Station’s architecture beautiful or anythingBut it is definitely uniqueThe bus station outside. You can board buses going straight to Kiyomizu Dera from here.
After walking through the Bamboo Forest soon after arriving at Arashiyama, I walked to the Monkey Park, to see the Japanese macaques.
The entry fee is ¥500 (₹270/$4/€3.7)Some information about the parkBut first, I had to climb steps. Lot’s of it. Ugh. I hate steps!You are climbing up Iwatayama (yama is mountain in Japanese)I was up the 109 metre high markSome facts about Japanese monkeysIt was cold, my legs were aching and to make it worse, it began to drizzle.I was now as high as the Kyoto TowerBut I finally began to see the monkeys
After an eventful day of activities yesterday, today was going to be just as hectic. I didn’t feel like leaving Kyoto without seeing some more attractions. And so I woke up early and set off for Arashiyama, a popular tourist town with lots to see and do.
Kyoto station was bustlingI’ll have another post on Kyoto station’s unique architectureTo get to Arashiyama, I had to board a train on the Sagano lineThat is the JR train I was going to board. Tickets cost ¥240 (₹120/$1.8/€1.7) for a one way trip to ArashiyamaThe journey from Kyoto city to Arashiyama by train takes about 20 minutesThis must be a driving schoolJust outside Saga Arashiyama station is a museum showcasing rail memorabilia and pianos from the 19th century. Yes, you read that right Renting a bicycle is a popular way to get around ArashiyamaI wanted to rent one but I knew I could only spend an afternoon in Arashiyama. So I decided to walk instead, not knowing how much I could cover by 2PMLove spotting these cute housesThe entrance to Bamboo Forest is a short 15 minute walk from Saga Arashiyama station. Just before entering, I felt like having a beef croquette which was being sold at a small stall (on the right).
