Japan #17 – Arashiyama

DAY ELEVEN IN JAPAN


We generally managed the hot and humid weather in Japan by doing a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. We would spend some of the day outdoors doing some sightseeing/checking out local attractions for a few hours and then take refuge in a cool air conditioned place like museums, shops, restaurants and cafes. 

This day was probably the warmest and one of the most humid days that we experienced in Japan. We spent the day in the Arashiyama area and walked through the Bamboo groves and around Okochi Sanso, a beautiful garden filled with many pine trees, cherry trees and maple trees, and there were some nice views up on the hills over Kyoto. From the outset we told each other that it was going to be really hot today, so at any time, if anyone of us felt like it was getting too much, just say so, and we’ll turn back and find somewhere cool to hang out. I felt proud that day because no one surrendered to the heat, throughout our walk around the garden we’d ask each other how we were going but no one wanted to be the first person to give up to the heat, so we trucked on up around hills and winding pathways, it was a very beautiful and scenic walk but damn it was hot. When we made it to the end of the garden and found the tea room, we were rewarded with a cool green tea and little treat. 

We found a huge spider at our table with way to many legs. Does anyone know what it is?


After our walked around the Okochi Sanso we made our way to the city centre and had lunch at a great little soba noodle place.

After lunch we wondered down the road and stumbled across a music box museum – The Kyoto Arashiyama Orgel Museum. It was quite small and around $10 AUS entry for an experience that would last approximately half an hour we were told. Half of us decided to check it out while the others relaxed in the café downstairs. 

I decided to check out the music box museum and I was glad that I did because it was truly amazing to see and hear antique music boxes on display dating back to the 19th century. There was a small but fascinating collection of music boxes and it was also a treat to hear a real old gramophone.