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Japan: Kyoto – Monkey Park in Arashiyama

By Mithun Divakaran
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Dec 17, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 24th March, 2015

After walking through the Bamboo Forest soon after arriving at Arashiyama, I walked to the Monkey Park, to see the Japanese macaques.

Arashiyama Monkey Park entrance Kyoto — The entry fee is ¥500 (₹270/$4/€3.7)

Arashiyama Monkey Park info — Some information about the park

Monkey Park steps hill Kyoto — But first, I had to climb steps. Lot’s of it. Ugh. I hate steps!

Monkey Park map Arashiyama hill — You are climbing up Iwatayama (*yama* is mountain in Japanese)

Monkey Park Arashiyama hill Kyoto — I was up the 109 metre high mark

Japanese Monkey Park Arashiyama — Some facts about Japanese monkeys

Climbing Monkey Park hill Arashiyama Kyoto — It was cold, my legs were aching and to make it worse, it began to drizzle.

Monkey Park Iwatayama eight — I was now as high as the Kyoto Tower

Japanese Monkey tourists Kyoto — But I finally began to see the monkeys

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Japan: Kyoto – Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Dec 03, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 24th March, 2015

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 morning rush Japan — Kyoto station was bustling

Kyoto station roof design Japan — I’ll have another post on Kyoto station’s unique architecture

Sagano line Kyoto station — To get to Arashiyama, I had to board a train on the Sagano line

JR train to Arashiyama from Kyoto station — That is the JR train I was going to board. Tickets cost ¥240 (₹120/$1.8/€1.7) for a one way trip to Arashiyama

Kyoto outskirts houses Japan — The journey from Kyoto city to Arashiyama by train takes about 20 minutes

Driving school training road Kyoto — This must be a driving school

Rail and piano museum Arashiyama Japan — Just outside Saga Arashiyama station is a museum showcasing rail memorabilia and pianos from the 19th century. Yes, you read that right 🙂

Arashiyama cycle map Kyoto Japan — Renting a bicycle is a popular way to get around Arashiyama

Bamboo forest sign Arasiyama Japan — I 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 2PM

Small house Arashiyama Japan — Love spotting these cute houses

Bamboo forest entrance Arashiyama Kyoto — The 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).

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Japan: Kyoto – Gion Corner Cultural Show

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Nov 25, 2015
/
Japan, Travel

Date: 23rd March, 2015

My day of sightseeing across Kyoto began at the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha before returning to the city to visit Kinaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera. And although I felt I had seen enough, I found myself walking towards Gion Corner — a theater that has a daily cultural show showing some Japanese traditions and live theater.

Gion street at night Kyoto — The sun had set over Kyoto

Gion corner Kyoto night — The shows are held inside Yasaka Hall, next to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre

Gion Corner show information — I was on two minds about attending the show. It’s quite pricey ¥3150 (₹1700/$25/€24) and I assumed there wouldn’t be any tickets for the final show.

Gion Corner crowd Kyoto Japan — But it turns out there still a few seats left for the final show. And since I was already in line, I thought why not, and bought myself a ticket

Gion Corner cultural show Kyoto — We all sat down for the show. Other than introductions of each segment in English, everything else would be in Japanese.

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