Arashiyama and Nishiki Market trip 2015

Nothing is complete if you visit Kyoto, Japan and you must visit the tall serene bamboo grooves in Arashiyama. It's pretty easy to access there. First take the train from

Kyoto station heading towards Arashiyama. Once you exit the station, you will see tons of tourists and at the corner is the Sagano Romantic Train. The Sagano train is good to visit when it's full autumn foliage or spring bloom of sakuras- there's a fee to sit this special train.

From the exit of Arashiyama station, turn right into the little lane and you will see instructions and signs telling you to walk to the bamboo grooves. It's easy to locate as you will find many tourists and locals venturing to this place.

The grooves reminded me of the Chinese film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon where the fighting scenes took place at the bamboo grooves. Ha ha! 
It's free of charge and people often rent bicycles to ride along the pathways which proves to be a nuisance as people are walking calmly in the path lanes. Pfft!! I don't see the purpose to ride to the bamboo grooves when you can easily access it by walking. 

There are plenty of shops and restaurants awaiting at the main streets. We practically begin to shop a lot at a chopsticks store - one can engrave their names on the chopsticks and they are beautifully designed. There are many souvenir stores selling Japanese native products- biscuits, jewelry, snacks...etc.

We found a store directly opposite the little lane to the bamboo groves that sell green matcha ice cream for only JPY200. Usually it's JPY300-350 for an ice cream cone. But this elder man sells ice cream at a cheaper price. Love it!

Then you will see lots of trishaw peddlers asking for business...poor thing. They have to run along the roads while explaining the streets to the tourists. Not cheap to sit on a trishaw.

We walked along the Togetsukyo Bridge across the Oi' Bridge and we saw a bit of the autumn foliage at Mount Arashi facing the bridge. It's Japan national historic site and famous for locals to visit during Fall and Spring.

After venturing around Arashiyama for half day we decided to take the train back to Kyoto and head to Nishiki Market where its famous for its local delicacies and food stores. This area is covered and there are plenty of food and samples to taste. 

Nishiki Market consists of wet and dry area. The wet market has local fishmongers, butchers, florists...etc selling their products to locals and tourists. We often find tourists munching their way in snacks, fresh sashimi, octopus with quail egg (unique taste) and ice cream. We had a green tea parfait and Yozu set (consists of sweet mochi and sourish drink) at a local cafe.

There are shrines in the Nishiki Market and it's quite amazing we went to so many shrines and temples yet we don;t know what we are praying to! Ha ha! Somehow Shinto is the main religion in Japan followed by Buddhism and Christianity.