At the end of the forest

We tried to find our way out of the forest, and ended up at the wrong train station...which is where this cute Romantic Train comes through. I went in and got directions to the correct one, and when we got to the end of the forest, we saw this beautiful place, overlooking the lake. It was so lovely, and we were quite hot, so it was a nice place to stop and rest! I really like lakes where the mountains can be seen, reflected in the water. I have a few photos like this, but it's nice when the colours are so vivid!

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

On our last day in Kyoto, we took a super early train out to Arashiyama, which is much farther than it appears! It is apparently a really cool place to go...and has quite a famous Bamboo forest. I have lots of friends in the Nara, Kyoto area, who all have been there, and I knew I really wanted to go! We had a little bit of trouble getting there, but it was so much fun!

Kyoto Tower at night!

The fire festival wasn't going to be super exciting in the pouring rain, so we decided against that, and ended up doing some shopping in Kyoto station.I loved Kyoto Tower last time I visited, but I didn't get any photos. This time, when I went out to get some, they also had these very cool fountains, which were set to Disney Music, complete with lights and everything! We call them fountains of happiness...just like the ones in Fukuoka! Amazing! And a perfect time to come see the Tower!

A little cafe in the woods

Right at the very end of the shrine, you come to some little cafes in the woods. That is where I took this photo, and I love how it just overhangs into the forest. It would be such a nice place to sit and eat dinner, but we didn't do that, and instead, went back to the hotel. Shame, because it would have been a nice place to sit and chat over a cup of tea!

At the overhang

The main part of the temple/shrine is this big, large wooden building, which overhangs over the forest. It's a beautiful place to look over the trees, and even better in mid November apparently beautiful with all the red leaves out. I wish I was there then so I could see it! It was still beautiful either way!

The view of the pagoda

As you walk around the path around the shrine, you get a really good view of the pagoda. For some reason, you couldn't walk up to the pagoda, so the only way to see it is from above. The path goes through the forest, and its really nice because the leaves were just starting to change!

At the top of the shrine..and a classically Japanese photo!

At the top of the shrine, there were several places for people to pray, but also two love stones. If you touch one, and walk to the other while your eyes are shut, you will find lifelong love! Or so the story goes! I also liked that all the big bells were tied with beautiful red cloth bows...and I was very lucky to get this photo of these two, kimono clad ladies praying at the shrine! Such a classic Japanese shot! I'm never sure if I can take photos of women in Kimonos, they are just so pretty, but it's like...taking a photo of a randomer on the street! Luckily, there was a gap in people walking, so I could get a quick shot!