Kyoto and surrounding attractions
Bamboo Forest (Saga Arashiyama) and Monkey Park (Iwatayama)
The sacred city of Kyoto is located southwest of Tokyo on Japan's largest island, Honshu. A trip here is definitely worth it, both for lovers of history and for admirers of natural wonders, especially because of the nearby bamboo forest. The adjacent Monkey Mountain Iwatayama with about 120 snow monkeys, which move freely, is definitely worth a visit.
Arashiyama bamboo forest
Our first steps when visiting Kyoto were aimed at its natural attractions around the city, because we try not to look for crowds, which we did not manage to realize in Japan. The first stop was the bamboo forest Arashiyama, where the train took us and from the station Saga-Arashiyama we went for a walk to the forest.
Period transport
The bamboo grove is freely accessible and no entrance fee is paid, which contributes to its popularity among locals and tourists who visit it frequently at any time of the year or day. The locals suffer from tradition, so period transport from the station to the grove is often used in the form of a two-seater carriage powered by one manpower. It includes a kimono and a sports uniform for vehicles, including a sweat towel, because it can't do without it in the 30 ° C heat. Nevertheless, the passenger must have a red shawl over his feet, without going anywhere.
Sanctuary
In the middle of the forest stands the Zen Buddhist temple of Tenryuji with the Shinto shrine of Nonomiya, which you can reach after about 500 meters leading a path through a bamboo forest.
Inari
The place is full of sacred objects, including a small shrine dedicated to the deity of Inari, which is the embodiment of the fox as the protector of fertility, rice, sake, tea, prosperity and business.
Monkey Mountain - Iwatayama Monkey Park
After walking through the forest, we went around the turquoise lake and across the bridge to the nearby mountain Iwatayama, where there are about 120 snow monkeys, who roam freely here and live their undisturbed social life.
Monkey mountain rules
In order for monkeys to move freely and undisturbed here, visitors must follow certain rules, such as: do not get out of the way, do not pet the monkeys, but also do not feed them freely. The only place where monkeys can be given treats is a house on top of a mountain, where treats are served through a barred window to loitering monkeys. Only here can visitors also come to eat their snacks. The measure is justified, although monkeys are normally peaceful, so they become aggressive when it comes to food. This way, they know exactly where to go to get food and leave the free-moving visitors of the park unnoticed.
Observing monkey life
Visitors can get close to the monkeys and observe their rich social life without cages and bars. Monkeys know very well that people can only move on marked paths, so if they want more peace, they will go to a more distant part of the park. There's a lot to observe from a group of older individuals thoroughly discussing the fur from the breberes to the crazy jumping little monkeys, which are like children when they are released on the playground.
To jump in Kyoto
Because we left to visit the city after the natural attractions and also because it started to rain in the afternoon, we devoted only a moment to the city itself. Nevertheless, Kyoto is a stop that is not to be missed when visiting Japan, due to its historical significance and countless temples (over 2000), after all, it was the capital until 1896. Kyoto is also a city of geish, which in the narrow streets between the wooden houses completes the atmosphere that perhaps you are not even in the 21st century.
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