Arashiyama Sights
Arashiyama (嵐山 Storm Mountain) is one of dozens of scenic spots around Kyoto, Japan. It is probably best known for its forest of massive bamboo plants and the Iwatayama Monkey Park. The area has far more to see, though.
The town seems refreshingly ancient in many respects. There are typical tourist shops, but, apart from some modern concessions to safety and convenience, the rest of the area appears quite traditional.
In the spring, the cherry trees put on a great display, not only in town, but among the other trees covering the mountains. In the fall, the display of autum leaves is brilliant.
A river runs from a picturesque gorge with a railway cut into one side. Train afficionados can catch sight from viewpoints with conveniently posted schedules telling which trains will come by at which times. Visitors can ride tour boats to sightsee along the river.
There are several Shinto shrines in the area and, naturally, the more famous ones attract all the tourists, but keep looking off the beaten track to find smaller shrines. At least one has its own, smaller bamboo grove (above).