I got up rather early this morning, and had a bit of a struggle finding the local train I wanted, but made it in the end. It was absolutely packed, my punishment for being so early, as it was full of students and other commuters. One fun feature of the train: the seat backs can be flipped to the other side, so when the train at its first/final stop switches direction you can always face the way it is headed.
My first destination was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The bamboo on either side of the path is insanely tall, and it was beautiful, but boy did it become crowded quick. I was also surprised to find out that there are blocked paths to private residential scattered throughout, in addition to some shrines, temples, and closed-off (for good reason) cemeteries.
It’s hard to capture just how tall the bamboo is.
Part of Nonomiya Shrine, which is along the Bamboo Path
The rest was free of spiders, but there was one stretch of trail that was full of giant golden orbweavers. I thought of my sister. I also thought about how Princess Kaguya would have been about the size of one of these when found by the bamboo cutter in the folktale.
An incredibly rare quiet moment, fleeting as moments are. Those bicycles were soon ring-a-ling-linging past.
I tried to avoid crowds by going really early, but it was still very packed. I now have a particular hatred for selfie sticks and couples.
Bamboo cutters cleared out a bit here; who knows if they found a little Princess Kaguya?
There are temples, graveyards, and private residences along the bamboo path.
I don’t know what animal this guy is, but his Smoky the Bear like message is to watch your cigarette butts since mountain forests are prone to fires.
After wandering through the bamboo path, I headed towards the Togetsukyo Bridge, which has existed in some form since the 800s and is a famous subject of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The current iteration maintains the wooden railings but has concrete as its floor so that cars can drive over.
Silhouette of the bridge.
The water was very clear. I saw some ducks. On the road, I saw some rickshaws.
There are a series of small waterfalls as the river goes under the bridge.
These are some of the cooler looking boats. There were also lots of the blue standard-fare pedal boats.
Bridge viewed from the city side.
The bridge viewed from the Arashiyama-side.
Watching people watching people boat.
On the mountain side of the bridge, I started ascending up a very vertical, but at least shaded, forest trail. 160 meters up, or 525 feet, is the Iwatayama Monkey Park. It takes about 30 minutes to climb up to the top, but once there you are able to be up close to Japanese snow monkeys.
This way to Monkey Park
You don’t want to be a dead monkey. This vending machine basically only sold water.
The answer to the first question is B -macaque. The answer to the second question is A - cicadas. And the answer to the third question is all of them.
The path to Monkey Park is long and arduous, though there are benches along the way. And, when you are 95% of the way there, there is also a playground in case your kids somehow still have energy.
This one is on his break.
It was worth the ¥600 just for the view alone.
I really like the baby monkeys.
160 meters is a lot of meters. My feet and knees can attest to that.
This one is snacking on some leaves.
They are omnivorous.
She is carefully grooming one of her friends, who is laid out super relaxed-like.
Looking at a monkey looking at people looking at a different monkey.
He’s king of the rooftop. In this building were restrooms and monkey food you could feed to them through the safety of some bars.
This little guy was cute. He did his best climbing and swinging, even though he is still figuring both out.
Again, crazy good view.
If your hips are narrow enough, you can save yourself some steps.
After climbing back down the 160 meters, I decided to punish my feet some more, since I was just one station away, and I went to the Toei Movie Studio Park, which is attached to a real Toei movie lot.
Turtle.
Heading back on the train to go one stop to the theme park.
It’s nice to know that even in a country where trains are ubiquitous that people still excitedly film the trains coming and going.
The whole park is like stepping inside of a Japanese period film, if that period film had a bunch of modern elementary school children running around in fox masks hitting each other with foam swords. I think it is probably best for groups of 2 or more, to take advantage of all of the photo opportunities, or for small kids, since that’s who the attractions are mostly aimed at. There isn’t a ton of English, but I still recommend it, especially if one is a fan of samurai movies.
I got a free tiny photo of myself in front of the true to size top half of the Evangelion mecha. You can climb to the top and sit in the pilot’s seat, which just made me wonder how mecha pilots don’t do more accidental damage - everything is so small when one is so high up.
My pilot synchronization score was “Nope, you are a (likely doomed) civilian.”
“Angels” (giant monsters) from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It was fun wandering down the streets, peering into the buildings which often had replica furniture and tools in them (along with big “Do Not Touch” signs).
Building containing archives, special exhibits on actress Hibari Misora, Kamen Rider, and Toei animation, as well as the gift shop.
Home of the fictional Edo policeman Zenigata Heiji, who would throw zeni (pennies) at criminals. Lupin the Third’s Zenigata is supposed to be a descendant of him.
Getting ready for the ninja show.
The comic relief characters break the fourth wall to tell the audience that photos - specifically photos of them, why aren’t you taking photos of them!? - are ok.
The actors in the live ninja show I watched.
Souvenir photo of myself if I were historical figure Sakamoto Ryouma. They have a menu of costumes to choose from, and they fit everything over your clothes and literally have costume and wig on, photo taken, costume and wig off, and photo printed in 5 minutes total.
This automated ninja scoots back and forth on the wires.
Many of the structures, like this bridge, are replicas of structures that historically existed in either Kyoto or Edo (present-day Tokyo).
The skies were beautiful, but it was extremely windy.
A model shrine.
Fox masks. So many fox masks.
Kids running by an old style trolly car.
The small section dedicated to Toei Animation had cells and promotional materials for a number of shows. Here, Galaxy Express 999.
GeGeGe no Kitaro
Arale from Dr. Slump (N’cha!) and Sailor Moon
Mazinger Z
I walked over 25,000 steps today (over 7 miles). I also discovered that around the corner from my hostel are a koi breeding farm and also a robot hotel, where robotic velociraptors serve to check you in. I also saw an old man practice his golf swing against the concrete of the street.
Such a clever girl.
I had food from 7-Eleven today; essentially yakisoba with some pieces of pork. It was a bit spicier than I anticipated, but good. I also did laundry.
I shouldn’t have complained of my bunkmate; tonight’s bottom bunk inhabiter has wrinkled plastic for like five hours straight.
Tomorrow will be more adventures in Kyoto.