Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto

 First full day in Kyoto we got up at 8:30am and got the bus to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It was a 20 minute walk from the hotel to the bus station and a 45 minute bus ride. Arashiyama has this tourist street which was super busy with loads of different shops. When we got off the bus we went straight to the bamboo forest which is off the main street.

Thought I took a lot more photos than this. Think I was just appreciating it as it was so nice to walk through. Was a bit cold as it was shaded but a great experience.

You could hire men in carts to take you through the forest not sure how much it was.

There was also some shrines in the forest that you can pay to go and see. We didn't go to any though.

We picked a good day to go as the weather was so nice and sunny.

We went to this shop that was further down from the main tourist strip that had all different rice crackers and yatushashi - a triangle flat mochi. You could try everything they sold in the shop. Was just filling up on the different flavoured rice crackers. We bought some yatushashi to bring home.

I got a sweet matcha drink not realising it was not the same as a matcha latte...

It was sweet but just this green liquid. It was nice but not what I was expecting.

We walked back to the main street that was full or food shops that had samples and souvenirs.

Dad got a vanilla and matcha ice cream

I got just matcha

After we took the bus back and went to Nishiki Market. Which was an indoor covered market with a lot of food stalls

Giant crab claw, octopus and scallops

These were so good and so cheap - 600 yen which is just under £3. We should have got more as other places were charging 600 yen just for the 1 octopus or scallop and you got 3 on a stick.

After wandering round we ended up in this restaurant where we got udon noodles and tempura

After we walked back to the hotel and I went for a walk on my own. Walked past Higashi Hongan-ji Temple which is actually lit up really scary in the dark!

Thought I took a lot more photos than this but I must have just been taking it all in and appreciating it forgetting to get my phone out for photos!

Next stop Fushimi Inari Taisha

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