Arashiyama. Kyoto. Japan. 11.20.2018-11.21.2018.

For our last night in Kyoto, we moved over to Arashiyama to stay at Arashiyama Benkei. So we checked our luggage at dawn to beat the crowds all along Arashiyama. Arashiyama is extremely touristy and can become overwhelming. If you want to enjoy Arashiyama with more serenity than with thousands of other tourists, you will want to get a move on before 8AM to beat the rush. The good news is you can grab a coffee without a line at Arabica that early in the morning and sit next to the river for some zen before the madness ensues.







We arrived at the Sagano Bamboo Forest by 7AM and it was already filled with photographers chasing the morning light.









Then we stopped by the Miffy Sakura Kitchen on our way back into town.











Meow.



Fall foliage colors.



Then we walked along the river looking for a lunch spot.











We found this very authentic tofu (another Kyoto specialty) restaurant but sadly they were just shutting lunch service.



Since we had some time to kill before we check in to Arashiyama Benkei. We decided to take a leisurely boat ride down the Katsura River.











I finally got some street food that wasn't sweet (which is a difficulty in Arashiyama) for a quick savory snack.





Every single one of the rickshaw guys were impossibly cute. Literally. Every. Single. One. Hi, I'm single.