Arashiyama and Ninna-ji Temple Kyoto

Part 1

Because this is a last minute trip, I can't find a hotel that let me stay 3 nights in a row (within my budget range). I need to change hotel the next morning. From Highland Shimabara Guest House i walk to Econo Inn, google map indicates is a 20 minutes walk but I feel like is 30 minutes walk. Maybe because I'm towing a luggage with me.

Saying goodbye to Highland Shimabara

Saw tulips on my way to Econo Inn

Due to early in the morning, I am not able to check in. I just drop my luggage and go. Stay in Econo Inn for 2 nights.

The bed

Consider quite big toilet

The bus stop is just in front the hotel. Bus stop station name is Kawaramachi Gojo. I bought Kyoto City Bus (one day pass) for 500yen at Family Mart. You can buy this pass at any convenience store.
From my hotel, I took a bus to Kyoto station and then to Arashiyama.

Canal at Arashiyama

You need to pay entrance fee to Arashiyama Monkey Park (Iwatayama)

Removing ticks

You need to walk around 30 minutes on stairs to this monkey park

Up and up to the park

Feeding the monkeys

The monkeys here are free to roam around. You can buy food from the rest house to feed the monkeys. Food can only be fed inside the rest house. The monkeys here are wild and rough. I saw them fighting for food. Do not stare at the monkeys. They don't like people to stare at them.

Some descriptions

View from the park

Once finish with this monkey park, I walk down and head to Tenryu-ji temple. You need to pay entrance fee (500yen) to enter this temple.Tenryu-ji temple is registered as World Heritage site.

 Tenryu-ji garden

Tenryu-ji is a zen temple but too much people around, I cannot zen. After sitting awhile looking at this pond, I continue to walk around the garden.

Tenryu-ji garden

Basically, there is nothing much to see in Tenryu-ji. Just a very well maintain garden. And once you exit the garden, you cannot go inside anymore unless you pay the entrance fees again. Once exit, is the Arashiyama Bammboo forest.

Bamboo forest

Bamboo forest is the last attraction and I'm done with Arashiyama. After that I took a taxi to Ninna-ji temple.

Ninnaji Temple

Basically admission to Ninnaji temple is free except during cherry blossom season when 500 yen entrance fees applies.

Me taking selfie

Omuro Sakura is known to be one of the special varienty of cherry tree which blooms later than general cherry trees. About 200 trees are growing in the precinct and according to the historical record, have been there since the early Edo period. Ninna-ji temple was already well known as a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in the mid Edo period. Omuro Sakura has lower height than general cherry tree and the branch grow very close from the ground.

Omuro Sakura

Took a bus back to Kyoto station from Ninnaji Temple. Had Okonomiyaki in this restaurant.

Machiya restaurant

I saw quite a long que so I thought it must be good.

Empty seat

Once inside the restaurant, I spot some empty seat. Might a strategy to attract customers to go inside?

Cheers!!

Okonomiyaki

 End my day with this dinner and shopping around Kyoto station.