If you ever find yourself exploring Kyoto, find the time to visit the districts of Arashiyama and Nara. Arashiyama is home to bamboo groves and monkeys, and Nara is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites & wild deer!
Day Trip to Arashiyama
Arashiyama was one of my favourite mornings in Japan. Only 30 minutes from Kyoto, I arrived early in the morning and wandered through a magical bamboo grove. Spoiler alert: it's not very big, and doesn't take much time to walk through... but it is worth it.
I then crossed the Togetsu-kyo Bridge and climbed up a mountain to hang out with wild monkeys! They are uncaged, happy and just chilling in the sun... you can even feed them bananas!
The local train in Arashiyama is the most adorable train I've ever taken, and the station was filled with foxes.
Also, not to miss: views of the Hozu-gawa River and great coffee from % Arabica, a hip coffee chain near the foot of the Togetsu-kyo Bridge.
Day Trip to Nara
Nara is the capital city of Nara Prefecture, very close to Kyoto. It's filled with ancient temples and shrines, and about eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
It is also filled with wild deer - more than I ever could have imagined. Visit Nara Park to see the deer, feed the deer crackers, and please - let the deer live in peace. Sadly, I saw way too many tourists picking at their fur or feeding them paper maps...
And if you're feeling adventurous, go on a hunt to try a Japanese red bean pancake!
