Today it was off to Arashiyama.  We arrived at the Toroko Train Station where we were greeted by this friendly clan of tanuki’s.  These “raccoon dogs,” more linked to wolves than dogs or raccoons, are a symbol of prosperity.  (Look them up.  They’re really cute.)

Here we boarded the Sagano Torokko Ressha or Romantic Train.  This 25 minute train ride wanders along the Hozu River through a beautiful canyon.

Upon exiting the train we wandered through a dense bamboo forest.

During our free time we wandered through the streets of Arashiyama.  This shrine has a thick carpet of moss

and here’s a typical street scene.

As we wandered down to the river

we found a great place for a delicious lunch

where we watched the activity out the window.

Since we had more time to kill before we met the bus we wandered upstream a ways to take in these truly Japanese sites.

And my personal favorite. . .

Ok, enough of that.  Now it’s back on the bus which, by the way, is the prettiest bus on the road

and we’re off to the Golden Pavilion.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as his retirement villa.

The grounds behind the Pavilion were quite peaceful.

Now it’s time for the long bus ride home but before we go . . . a little green tea ice cream would taste good right about now.

. . . . . ciao!