A day of bamboo groves, Zen gardens, lost tourists, iconic torii gates, and an ankle that refused to cooperate.
Exploring Kyoto.
Today was spent exploring Kyoto, although my ankle made sure the day was more challenging than I’d hoped. After leaving the hotel, we boarded the coach and drove through Kyoto towards the Arashiyama district, where we were dropped off for a short walk to the famous bamboo forest.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was a breathtaking sight, but it was incredibly busy. We were given just 20 minutes to look around before heading into Tenryuji Temple. I didn’t venture far into the forest because the path ahead looked steep and crowded. Instead, I stayed near the temple entrance and took a few photos without having to push through hundreds of people. I would have loved to walk deeper into the grove, but only if it had been quieter.
Tenryuji Temple.
Tenryuji Temple, founded in 1339, is one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. As our group was being handed tickets, one man realised his wife had gone missing again, this time with her son. While the rest of us entered the temple grounds, he stayed outside trying to contact them.
The temple gardens were beautiful and peaceful. I took photos of the pond and the large koi carp gliding through the water as our guide explained the grounds' history and layout. When I finished exploring, I walked back to the coach and sat outside in the cool air rather than getting on board immediately.
The missing pair still hadn’t returned, and the guide eventually told the husband that they would need to take a taxi back to the hotel so the rest of us could continue our tour. We left the car park, only to spot them walking up the road moments later. The coach stopped to pick them up, and then we returned to the hotel to collect a few new people joining the tour. It felt like a strange way to run a tour, with people constantly joining and leaving, disrupting the day's flow.
Once the new arrivals were on board, we set off again towards the Fushimi Inari Tower Gate.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii.
The coach dropped us a short walk from the Fushimi Inari Tower Gate, and we made our way through a busy tourist area to the entrance. With only 40 minutes to explore, I decided to head straight for the Thousand Torii Gates, a place I’d long wanted to see.
I found a disabled lift that saved me from climbing a long flight of stairs, and soon reached the start of the famous path. The vibrant red gates formed a tunnel-like walkway leading up Mount Inari. I walked through the first set of gates to the first shrine, taking in the atmosphere, but didn’t go further. The whole walk can take two hours, and I didn’t have the time or the ankle for it. I returned through the second set of gates and made my way down to the Komakitsune Shrine.
Komakitsune Shrine.
Komakitsune Shrine is a small but charming shrine dedicated to the fox deity Inari. Fox statues stood guard around the grounds, and I took a few photos before heading back towards the Tower Gate.
Fushimi Inari Tower Gate.
The Tower Gate, or Romon Gate, was impressive and clearly a popular photo spot. I watched as crowds of tourists patiently queued for their turn before it. When the crowd thinned slightly, I took a selfie and then sat down to rest. My ankle had begun to swell badly, and I needed painkillers to keep going.
Soon it was time to walk back to the coach. We made our way through the packed tourist area and crossed a railway line just before the gates came down. At the second crossing, we had to wait again. The same lady who had gone missing earlier was lagging behind, browsing the shops. Once she caught up, we headed to the coach and on to our next stop.
Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace, once home to the Imperial Family, sits within a vast park in the centre of the city. Our guide explained its history as we approached, noting that much of it now stands empty.
We were given 40 minutes to explore, but my ankle was too painful to walk any further. I told the guide I would stay near the entrance and get a drink from the café. I sat on the grass near the coach, watching birds hop around in the quiet woods surrounding the palace grounds. I took another painkiller and waited for the group to return.
Returning to the Hotel.
After leaving the palace, we drove around Kyoto while our guide pointed out various landmarks. We were told there would be an optional evening trip to the Gion district, but we would have to make our own way back. With my ankle swollen and throbbing, I decided to stay at the hotel and rest. An early night was the only sensible choice.
My hotel tonight was the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo.
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