Arashiyama (嵐山)
Tucked away in the north west of Kyoto City is Arashiyama (嵐山), literally translated as 'Storm Mountain'.
For years Arashiyama has maintained it's status as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto; famous for it's cherry blossom groves in spring, and the blood red view of the mountains from the Togetsukyo Bridge during the autumn as the Japanese maples turn for the season.
Due to the recent uptick in tourist numbers to Japan, spring and autumn sightseeing in the area has become about enjoyable as partaking in a cage match with a thousand other people, however, time is on your side as a Kyoto JET.
Just as crowds pour into Arashiyama during the aforementioned seasons, they tend to pour out during the summer with many tourists focused heavily in the central Kyoto district, lined with riverside restaurants and home of the famed Gion Matsuri held in July.
Although popularity for the area never truly wanes, this is a prime time to head to Arashiyama; the riverside lined in brilliant greens, the mountains lush after the rainy season in June, and the famous Bamboo Grove bright and vibrant. As you explore, it's worth stopping in at Gio-ji, a small temple famous for it's magical moss covered garden and often forgotten by tourists passing through for the day.
Summer is also time to absorb some tradition. From July until mid-September Ukai (鵜飼), a 1300 year old fishing practice using trained cormorants occurs along the river. In mid-August Obon is observed, and Arashiyama brings the festival to a unique close on August 16 with its Paper Lantern Festival. As the sun goes down, hundreds of white paper lanterns lit with candles are released on the river from Togetsukyo Bridge. It pays to get there a little early, enjoy a beer along the riverside and wait for the sun to go down so it can be enjoyed without looking at the back of someone's head. Attending the festival has the added benefit of being able to view up to three of the five flaming Kanji characters which are lit in the mountains surrounding Kyoto City for Gozan no Okuribi (五山送り火), more commonly known as Daimonji (大文字), the fire festival to send off the ancestors for another year.
As summer fades away and you find yourself within the grasp of the dreaded winter blues, coming back to Arashiyama is a good way to shake off the doom and gloom. For two weeks in the middle of December, the area holds it's part of the Kyoto City Hanatouro, a winter illumination festival. The Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest are two stand out spaces brilliantly lit up in the evening.
Whatever the season, Arashiyama is a popular tourist destination for a reason. As a Kyoto JET, a visit here is a must do before heading home.
Tara Gimpel
Kyoto Prefectural AET (2013 - 2016)
For years Arashiyama has maintained it's status as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto; famous for it's cherry blossom groves in spring, and the blood red view of the mountains from the Togetsukyo Bridge during the autumn as the Japanese maples turn for the season.
Due to the recent uptick in tourist numbers to Japan, spring and autumn sightseeing in the area has become about enjoyable as partaking in a cage match with a thousand other people, however, time is on your side as a Kyoto JET.
Just as crowds pour into Arashiyama during the aforementioned seasons, they tend to pour out during the summer with many tourists focused heavily in the central Kyoto district, lined with riverside restaurants and home of the famed Gion Matsuri held in July.
Although popularity for the area never truly wanes, this is a prime time to head to Arashiyama; the riverside lined in brilliant greens, the mountains lush after the rainy season in June, and the famous Bamboo Grove bright and vibrant. As you explore, it's worth stopping in at Gio-ji, a small temple famous for it's magical moss covered garden and often forgotten by tourists passing through for the day.
Summer is also time to absorb some tradition. From July until mid-September Ukai (鵜飼), a 1300 year old fishing practice using trained cormorants occurs along the river. In mid-August Obon is observed, and Arashiyama brings the festival to a unique close on August 16 with its Paper Lantern Festival. As the sun goes down, hundreds of white paper lanterns lit with candles are released on the river from Togetsukyo Bridge. It pays to get there a little early, enjoy a beer along the riverside and wait for the sun to go down so it can be enjoyed without looking at the back of someone's head. Attending the festival has the added benefit of being able to view up to three of the five flaming Kanji characters which are lit in the mountains surrounding Kyoto City for Gozan no Okuribi (五山送り火), more commonly known as Daimonji (大文字), the fire festival to send off the ancestors for another year.
As summer fades away and you find yourself within the grasp of the dreaded winter blues, coming back to Arashiyama is a good way to shake off the doom and gloom. For two weeks in the middle of December, the area holds it's part of the Kyoto City Hanatouro, a winter illumination festival. The Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest are two stand out spaces brilliantly lit up in the evening.
Whatever the season, Arashiyama is a popular tourist destination for a reason. As a Kyoto JET, a visit here is a must do before heading home.
Tara Gimpel
Kyoto Prefectural AET (2013 - 2016)
Location
Arashiyama
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture |