Hiking through Arashiyama
Trip Start
Aug 20, 2008
1
16
18
Trip End
Aug 01, 2009
Arashiyama,
Japan
Thursday, November 27, 2008
We thought this was going to be a leisurely hike up the mountain because we noticed there were stairs and paved areas but half way up we were both sucking wind!! It was worth the climb though. The leaves were changing colors and absolutely breath-taking. At the top was the monkey park in which a few dozen monkeys hang out and live. There is nothing keeping them there but they do get some food from the park ranger and they are accustomed to being around humans now so it suites them fine to just hang out. They would walk right in between KJ and I but didn't seemed to be bothered by anyone up there. After we hung out and took lots of pictures we started the trek back down the mountain. At the bottom I bought this little scroll of paper and then tied it onto the tree because that's what everyone else had done! But, I'm not really sure what it means or why you do it....maybe some day I'll find out.
After monkey seeing we crossed the river to the other part of town. On that side there were many many shops and restaurants as well as a bunch of small shrines and temples. We found a ramen shop to eat dinner which was a good thing because it had become so bitterly cold I couldn't really feel my fingers anymore. But, despite the extreme cold which had come when the sun went down, we went off in search of an ice cream stand to finish off the night. Japan has some of the best chocolate I have ever eaten so KJ likes to eat chocolate ice cream any chance we get.
It was an excellent trip overall. Actually, we are planning on going back in a few weeks because for about two weeks before Christmas they light up many of the pathways which creates a very cool effect. Check out the pictures to see the crazy monkeys and beautiful fall leaves.
