Today Marie, Shinya, Tina and I went to Kameoka (near Kyoto) where we were able to ride a traditional Japanese boat down the Hozu river. We boarded the boat with about 20 other people for the 2 hour ride to Arashiyama. The boat was controlled by 3 people, one who looked a lot like Morgan Freeman!! It was such a scenic ride as the river runs through valleys and it is lined with trees beginning to change colour. We really chose the best time to go as the colours were amazing. There were mini rapids along the way which added excitement to the boat ride but I think the most exciting part of the ride was when we pulled up along side a boat selling food – mandarins, chips, drinks, mochi and grilled squid – it was such a fantastic idea! I of course had to have some squid!
Our boat!
Marie and Shinya
Tina and I
Looking back at the rapids!
The beautiful autumn colours along the river
Food for sale on the boat
Cooking mochi and squid on the boat along side us!
We then ate lunch in Arashiyama and visited Tenryu-ji which is one of the few temples that we hadn’t visited on our last trip to Arashiyama.
Tenryu-ji
beautiful autumn leaves
After we then headed to Kyoto to squeeze in a new sight that we had not seen before – well it was new to me and Tina! It was Yasaka shrine in the Gion area of Kyoto. The colours are just amazing the orange and white look wonderful together! We wandered through Maruyama park which is meant to be amazing in spring because of all the cherry blossom trees but it was still really beautiful with all the autumn leaves. We then met Megumi (Marie’s friend who lives in Kyoto) for dinner and coffee before making our way back to Himeji.
Yasaka shrine
All of us in Maruyama Park
Girls dressed as Geisha
Marie, Tina and I in Maruyama Park
2 comments:
Another amazing trip!
Lucky you came hey??? I knew you would!
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