We HEART Arashiyama!

After we got down the mountain from the monkey park, we ate lunch by a large river.

 There were a lot of boats on the river, and we enjoyed watching them as we ate.  The boats were maneuvered with a long bamboo pole.

This couple in the row boat was entertaining.  They got near some falls and were threatening to go over.  They were frantically rowing, but they were doing it the wrong way.  Somehow, they figured it out and barely got away from the falls and went this way up the canyon.

After lunch, we walked across this bridge and into the town of Arashiyama.

We found this town to be refreshing for our souls!  It didn't have one tall building in it!  With beautiful mountains as the backdrop and a wide river meandering through the town, this place quickly captured our hearts.  We got lost in the many interesting shops and in watching the rickshaws that were all over the streets. 



We also saw our first geisha!!  There were a lot of people crowding around taking pictures of her, but she graciously went about her business and ignored the attention she was getting.

She was so beautiful!  It was really exciting to see a geisha....Raymond said that this was the first geisha he has ever seen in person, also.

We don't often see people wearing kimonos in Tokyo--it's probably only happened a handful of times.  Whenever we do, though, we will whisper to each other, "Kimono alert!", and then discreetly try to get pictures.  There were people in kimonos all over Arashiyama.  It was such a thrill to be walking down a charming Japanese street, and see people in kimonos walking right with you!

We love the beauty and tradition that is to be found in kimonos and it's exciting to see them on the Japanese people.  We couldn't get enough of the beautiful patterns, the flowers in their hair, the toe socks and traditional sandals.

The streets were still narrow, but the overall feeling of this place was completely opposite of Tokyo.  Laid back, quiet.....seeped in the old traditions of Japan.  It was exactly how we always imagined Japan to be.

Every couple of minutes we would have another kimono alert. 

There were occasional fields....ahhh....wide open spaces.

The neighborhoods contained the traditional-style homes with tile roofs, sliding doors, and the many, many pots of flowers and bonsai trees.  Fences were made from bamboo.  Everything was clean and neat as a pin.

This was the outside eating area of a small café.

We walked all over this town, and thoroughly enjoyed it!  What a beautiful, charming place.

The time we spent on the streets of Arashiyama ended up being a big highlight of our whole trip.  We simply loved it.