Arashiyama

Arashiyama (嵐山, “mountain of the storm”) is located at the edge of the mountains, in the west of the town of Kyôto. The area belongs to larger, called Sagano (嵯峨野), and western administrative district of the city, Ukyo-ku.

The area is very tourist and much of Japanese go there to admire the cherry trees in flowers (Sakura) or the sheets of the autumn (Momiji). It remains however little known foreign visitors, who prefer to visit is (the district of Gion, the Ginkaku-ji, the Chemin of Philosophy, Kiyomizu-dera) or the north of the city (Kinkaku-ji, Daitoku-ji). Arashiyama is however easily accessible starting from the Kyôto station.

Pont Togetsukyô

Principal attraction remains Togetsukyô (吐月橋, “bridge which crosses the moon”), a wood bridge crossing the river Hozugawa (which changes name at this exact place to become Katsura-gawa). This bridge was represented by Hokusai Katsushika (北斎葛飾), in its series of prints Vue famous bridges .

One can descend the rapids besides from the Hozugawa river in traditional wood boat (Hozugawa kuntaro). The activity has been practiced for more than 500 years, it lasts two hours to make the 16 kilometers of the river. The departure is done close to the station Kameoka and the arrival will be the Togetsukyô.

It is also possible to discover the river in the old train covered of type “trolley”, which one calls “Romantic Train” in English and “Torokko” in Japanese. The departure is done at the station Saga-Arashiyama. The train curves initially in the mountains then it follows the course of the river. This course is particularly appreciated in autumn, the red maples being everywhere in the mountain.

Tradition

In March, the 13 year old young girls, living the town of Kyôto, obey a single tradition in the city. Equipped with a Kimono with long (Furisode), capped and made up sleeves, they come to cross the bridge Togetsukyô and to request with the temple. One can see some of them Sundays of March, preceded by their father who films the scene and followed by their mother and their grandmother who photograph them.

Tenryû-ji

Traditionally, the Japanese temples are often blottis close to the mountains. It is thus possible to see several in Arashiyama of them. Easiest of access is without any doubt the Buddhist temple Tenryû-ji (天龍寺, “temple of the celestial dragon”). It has a garden drawn by Kokushi Musô (Sôseki). The pond with the form of the character 心 ( kokoro , “heart”).

The history of its foundation is very interesting. Takauji Ashikaga, first shogun of Japan, had betrayed the emperor and had just exiled it on the Yoshino mount. When the emperor died, its tutor made a strange dream which he told with the shogun: a furious dragon left the river in Arashiyama. In old China, the dragon symbolizes the heart of the emperor, furious of his misfortune, which would have been thus réincarné. To alleviate the heart of the emperor dragon, the shogun ordered the construction of the Tenryû-ji in 1339, at the exact place where the emperor had resided during his exile.

Hôrin-ji

While crossing the bridge Togetsukyô, one can see a small temple nested in the mountain, the Hôrin-ji (法輪時). This last is easily accessible and there is there a very beautiful sight of the town of Kyôto.

Macaque of Japan

It is also possible, very close it bridge, to visit Iwata-yama (岩田山), the mountain of the monkeys. Several hundreds of Macaques of Japan reside there and they are very easy to observe. It is strongly advised not to show them food, because they can become aggressive. Top, the sight on the city is also superb.

Main street

The main street is bordered of many stores and restaurants. Some remain more traditional: crockery of quality and manufacture of kimono (it is possible besides to observe the craftsman painting a kimono). On this street, one can also visit a forest of bamboos.

Daikaku-ji

More north of the area, one can reach the Daikaku-ji. This temple is very diversified: one can see there Ikebana (Japanese floral arrangement) at the entry, the mural ones painted on the sliding doors, several houses of prayer and a pond (Ôsawa ike, 大沢池). This temple is remarkable in any season, but the pond is more particularly appreciated during O Hanami (contemplation of the cherry trees in flowers). In autumn, one can admire the reflection of the moon on the pond (kangetsusai) and listen to concerts of toothing-stone and Koto organized for the occasion.

Bonds

Nomadesse - Québécois with Kyoto, many photographs, funds of screen, adventures and information on Japan, particularly on Arashiyama since she lived one year there.

Random links: