There is something magical in Japan like how amazingly efficient they are and the inspiring way they give respect to other people. It translates into their everyday lives and their everyday things.
The first time we visited Japan was during the Fall season of last year. We never knew what to expect because of all sorts of stories we heard from our friends. But one thing we know is that Japan is the country we will come to love.
We visited the Kansai Region and one of the places we visited was the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Being in Japan will show you a lot of beautiful sites but never would we imagine that we would be so taken by a lovely train: The Hankyu Kyoto Main Line going to Arashiyama Station.
If London has the iconic King's Cross-slash-Hogwarts Express, then for me, this is the equivalent - a Japanese version of the timeless train.
The quaint ambiance inside the train can never be compared to those high-speed ones. It was early in the morning when we boarded and the sunlight shining into the upholstered seats and polished timber walls made it magical! Our photos do not give it justice.☺
It certainly feels like those train scenes in Makoto Shinkai's anime films with the brilliant colors and wonderful rendering.
The quietness of the train and people in it makes the experience even more immersive.
The joy of riding the train, seeing the platform suddenly makes the early waking in the morning worth it. What more is that we were greeted by the magnificent view of the landscape fully decorated with the fall colors of reds and yellows along with the soothing sound of the flowing river.
We stopped by Tenryu-ji Temple on the way, a temple which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the "historic monuments of ancient Kyoto. Although it was a distance to get there, being able to soak up the environment of preserved old temples and zen garden side by side with nature can somehow help ease the tiredness of your mind.
Talk about therapy!
And to cap off our Arashiyama visit is the arrival at the bamboo grove. We expected it to be a long trek but it was only a short one. But despite the expectations and photos, nothing will do justice to the towering bamboos. The way it makes you look up and makes you realize that you are exponentially small and part of something bigger and magical.
Arashiyama was like a place wherein time has stopped moving and preserved everything on its wake. A marvelous place, indeed!☺
