Arayshiyama

today we got up early, as usual lol

straight down for breakfast in the super hotel before we set off for Arashiyama.

we grabbed a cab to Kyoto station where we jumped on the sagano line bound for Arashiyama.

a few stops later we arrived in the lovely part of kyoto. It was a little rainy today so we grabbed some umbrellas at the station. Although the fine weather we had experienced thus far would have been nice, the conditions we had kinda added to the atmosphere of the place.

A 15minute stroll through the narrow streets had us in the heart of Arashiyama and the gates to the famous Tenryuji Temple. We past a shop selling soft serve ice creams made from yuba (tofu skin), so i just had to try one!

Next we hit the Tenryuji Temple and my god what a place, this is now the most beautiful place ive ever been! it was like something out of a movie. The garden was absolutely spectacular, a perfectly raked gravel patch surrounded the temple whilst magnificent pines and japanese maples surrounded the pond. Beautifully coloured carp were all through the pond and the small stream running in completed the picture. We worked our way around the park and even spotted a Maiko being photgraphed (not sure if she was real though).

Next we hit the bamboo groves, again a spectacular setting!

We made our way through the bamboo until we reached the gates to the Okochi Sanso Villa.

Ok, now i think ive seen the most beautful place on earth!!!

The most amazing gardens surround the beautuful villa, which is perched high on the mountain overlooking Kyoto. Equally amazing is the view of the Hozu River gorge you get when you walk behind the villa! I think we probably spent too much time here, but it was just so beautiful, its kinda hard to leave :)

Next i realised that time was getting away from us and we needed to get a move on if we were to see the monkey park across the river. We hurried back to the centre of town where we had something to eat. Sarah opted for a burger and coke whilst i had a japanese cucumber on a stick and some traditional rice crackers! mmmm again the food didnt let us down.

We got moving and crossed the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, what a spot! the view is amazing.

Once over the river we made the steep climb to the top of the mountain where we were amazed to see plenty of monkeys! there must have been 60 or more. We went into the feeding area where we purchased some apple and peanuts to feed the hungry apes! We spend the next hour or so feeding the monkeys and watching the way they go about life. Its amazing to see them play on swings, slippery dips and walk on the rooves haha.

On our way down the mountain i was stopped in my tracks. Could this be Sakura....? i couldnt believe that there were still some mountain sakura blooming, and it was halfway through May...i grabbed a few pics and later asked some experts to find out yes they were Sakura. Originally we were going to Japan in April for the Sakura so to see them even after our trip changed was unreal. they are so Beautiful, its hard to imagine so many of them when it first starts, it would be a sight thats for sure!!

We were now pushing the limits for time so it was time to leave this lovely place, but not before a ride in a traditional Rickshaw. We jumped on at the Togetsukyo Bridge and had our driver take us all the way back to the JR station. This was an amazing experience, we were extremely lucky as our guy has lived on the Gold Coast where we are from so it was great to talk about things with him. I cant get over how fit these guys must be!!!

we got back to the station some 15-20mins later and jumped on the next train for Kyoto.

Once back at the station we grabbed a cab back to the super hotel, grabbed our bags and set off for the Ryokan.

Upon arrival we were greeted on the street by Tomoko our host.

once inside we were in another world! it was like we had stepped back 100 years.

Shoes off, slippers on and into the front room for tea and a Japanese sweet!

Next we were shown around this magnificent establishment, Shiraume is an old Geisha House in the most scenic street in Kyoto. We could not have asked for a nicer place.

We were both blown away when we saw the room we were staying in, it was just like being in a movie! After all the excitment we decided to destress and start relaxing, so we hit the onsens.

Although our room had a full Cedar hot tub we opted for the main bathrooms in the house, luckily it was quiet and we had one each. We both had a long well earned soak in the traditional Japanese Baths.

We arrived back in our rooms to find dinner ready to be served.

Tomoko asked what we would like to drink so i took to opportunity to have some Japanese Sake.

As i havent drunk an aweful lot of Sake i asked Tomoko what she recommended, she kindly sent 3 different dry Sakes out for me to try. I opted for a lovely Hakkaisan Brew from Niigata!

Next we were presented with possibly the best meal weve ever had!!

I had opted for the traditional Kaiseki Dinner whilst Sarah went with the Kobe Beef Set.

The Kaiseki Dinner was as follows:

Course 1: Yuba with sea urchin roe, and caviar
Small river fish in soy
Sushi with Mackeral

Grilled Eel

Mountain Vegetables

Wild plum

Course 2: Clear soup with green tofu (creamy)

Grilled Snapper

Mountain Vegetabled

Edible Mountain orange flowers (to be mixed with soy for aroma)

Course 3: Sashimi of Tuna, snapper, mackeral, seaweed, sea grapes and white seaweed

Course 4: Tempura (squid, shrimp, mountain vegetables, chilli, seasonal leaves from Kyoto)

Grilled river trout

Vinagered lotus root

Course 5: Green Soba Noodles

Course 6: Grilled and Sauteed Red Snapper

Mountain potatoes

Mountain fern wrapped in Yuba

Course 7: Octopus

Course 8: Rice, Miso Soup, Japanese pickles

Course 9: Cinnamon and Black Sesame ice cream topped with Gold Leaf

Seasonal Fruits from Mount Fuji Area and Okinawa

Course 10: Japanese Tea

Sarah's Meal was very similar, she recieved all courses except her main was comprised of Tempura and Kobe Beef Steak!! she also had some really nice mini tomatos on the vine.

After this Feast I decided to go for a walk around the traditional old Gion streets,

Although it was raining i still felt like id gone back 100 years and had a real feel for the "old Japan". This is one of the most atmospheric places ive ever been. Its Amazing!!

When i got back to the Ryokan Sarah was ready for bed so i finished off my Sake and decided to hit the futon as well. This was the most comfortable bed ive slept in!!! its amazing.