Day 3 in Kyoto: A Morning in Arashiyama – Nature, Monkeys, and Matcha

Today, we traded temple bells for the rustle of bamboo, the call of wild monkeys, and the gentle flow of the Katsura River. It was time to explore Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most scenic and soul-soothing districts. Getting up at 5:40AM, without the use of an alarm:), we quickly readied ourselves and jumped on the 93 Bus on our way to Arashiyama. 27 stops later, it really was a quick and comfortable ride, we arrived outside the gates of the much publicized and the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, it is still a sensory for your eyes. Towering stalks of bamboo swayed gently overhead, filtering the sunlight into a soft, otherworldly green glow. It was surprisingly quiet, with only the sound of wind moving through the leaves and the occasional crunch of gravel beneath our feet. We let the path guide us, stopping to take it all in. There’s something meditative about that grove — like stepping into a living poem. Unfortunately even though we arrived at 7:00AM, there were plenty of others with the same idea. Check it off the bucket list but we have seen so many other amazing creations of nature.

After walking through the forest we ventured around the neighboring park, so much beauty to soak in.

Leaving the bamboo grove, we made our way to the Togetsukyō Bridge, one of Arashiyama’s most recognizable landmarks. Spanning the Katsura River with the mountains rising behind it, the bridge offers one of the most beautiful views in Kyoto, especially during cherry blossom season. (minus the excavators:)

We paused in the middle to admire the scenery — soft pink petals still clinging to the trees, boats gently drifting below, and couples sharing snacks on the riverbank. It felt timeless, like this exact scene could have played out a hundred years ago, minus a few travelers.

For the last stop of the morning, we crossed the river and took on the short but steep hike up to Monkey Park Iwatayama. The trail winds uphill through the forest, and although it’s a bit of a workout, the payoff is well worth it. Justin would be proud of his Mother:)

At the top, we were greeted by panoramic views of Kyoto and a troop of Japanese macaques — wild, yet incredibly accustomed to visitors. Watching them lounge, play, and groom each other with the city stretching out in the background was surreal. There’s a small observation hut where you can safely feed them apples through the wire, but the real joy is just being near them, sharing their mountaintop for a while. The littles were the best.

Arashiyama is a part of Kyoto that blends natural beauty, traditional charm, and just a touch of the unexpected (monkeys included). It was a refreshing change of pace after the temple-heavy days before — and the kind of experience that makes Kyoto feel endlessly rich and layered.

We headed back into hotel to so some laundry, tired but completely content, already wondering how the next day could possibly top this one. Maybe a little shopping at the Nishiki Market before dinner at the Michelin Star, What’s Matsusake Beef (Justin will remember:).