May 23, 2014
My first day in Kyoto, Japan was spent for sight seeing. In this post I will be talking about my experience in Arashiyama and the most beautiful place I’ve seen in Japan – Bamboo Garden. I will write more about Kyoto in the coming days.
By 6:30am I am already by Kyoto Station. I had a quick breakfast at McDonald’s for 200 Yen. Most restaurants in the station aren’t open that time of the day so forgive me for eating at fast food chain. I also bought some food and drinks in a convenience store inside Kyoto Station (you can use your ICOCA card).
I rode the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto to Arashiyama, the fare is 210 yen (I use my Icoca card here). If you don’t have an ICOCA card, just simply purchase a ticket.
From Arashiyama, I walked around 20 minutes going to the Bamboo Garden. It was hard to find the right route as the signs there are not in English and people barely speak English. Since I do not have Japan simcard and I have no data in my phone, I simply relied on my instict and of course by asking strangers on which way to go. It was a bit of a challenge, I was in Arashiyama and no one seems to understand BAMBOO GARDEN!!! I showed them the photos and these kind Japanese men and women help me using sign language to finally find my way to the Bamboo Forest.
Even though I got lost, I enjoyed walking around the residential area. The smell of the place is really different, it smells like pine trees and flowers, it is so refreshing!
I passed over a nice temple (which I forgot the name, sorry!).
Since it is spring time, expect to see flowers everywhere! Also make sure to bring some anti histamine if you suffer from hay fever.
Nice little pond here.
Better be happy seeing this sign! It means you are so close to the garden!
After 20 minutes of walking around, I found this superb bamboo forest! It is so beautiful, isn’t it?
The one kilometer walk is not tiresome especially if you are surrounded by fresh smelling bamboo.
After few minutes of walking, I ended up in Tenryu-ji Temple. If you want to see the temple and its picturesque gardens, pay 500 yen.
Everything is green with envy. This how maple tree looks during spring time!
The most picturesque place I have ever seen in my life is this pond, I wonder how much pretty it would look like during autumn!
If you want to see how the temple looks like inside, pay 100 yen.
Here are some photos in the temple:
It was such a nice experience and at around 10:00 am, I went outside this beautiful temple and check out souvenir shops outside.
After 30 minutes, I decided to leave and ride randen train just in front of the temple. I headed to Ktano-Hakubaicho where I can take a bus to the Golden Temple. Note that you can pay 210 yen or you can use your Icoca card upon exit. I’ll write more about the Golden Temple and my adventures in Kyoto in the coming days
heydelin 
Amazing journey! Still waiting for Japan calling me to visit hahaha
You should go! Japan is such a cool place! It is a mix of old and new, the people are lovely too!