Arashiyama
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Arashiyama (嵐山) is an exclusive district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Oi River which forms a backdrop to the district.
Famous tourist sites in Arashiyama include:
- The Iwatayama Monkey Park on the slopes of Mount Arashiyama. Over 170 monkeys live at the park. While the monkeys are wild, they have become accustomed to humans. The park is located on a small mountain not far from the Saga-Arashiyama rail station. Visitors can approach and photograph the monkeys. At the mountain's summit is a fenced enclosure. From within this enclosure, visitors can feed the monkeys.
- The romantic "Moon Crossing Bridge" (Togetsukyo Bridge), famous for its views of cherry blossoms and autumn colors on the slopes of Mt. Arishiyama
- The tombstone of the Heike courtesan, Kogo of Sagano
- Tenryuji Temple, the main temple of the Rinzai school, one of the two main sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan.
- The hamlet of Kiyotaki, a small scenic village at the base of Mt. Atago, the home to famous Shinto shrine.
- Matsuo Shrine, a half a mile south of the area, which is home to a blessed spring. It is also one of the oldest shrines in the Kyoto area, its founding extending back to 700 A.D. The restorative properties of the spring bring many local sake and miso companies to the shrine for prayers that their product will be blessed.
Arashiyama is accessible by the Keifuku rail line from the central Kyoto, or by the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Osaka.
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