arashiyama
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LqcUQo5iKnuGPib6EZRrONIp6HiXydgzttDF3sj8EqTJqkC7vHKHLR3r6VUadbfCR2p9xSKRV7yOIeCFwZ7BYtGoL4MsLJQaL5_doUCLU7O7iWh4Xj9SThpFd01ClhuE2jYGrA/s1015/blog-22.jpg)
The temple is set in beautiful gardens. I meant to buy a ticket which included entry into the temple but instead managed to buy a ticket for the garden only.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2p8WQJNrVVkCVCe2NEjqtCFrxreCeb8SREl7FM1iG4trip5X3jLtd5RFx4tEapWTmYiZwzAEutR9to90z5rywTbqFPRFovu1Lbm6qldIbNNXdlDpYYSYhkyijCxZ11ilgB4MxUg/s1600/a+kyoto+031.jpg)
In the end I don’t think it mattered much as the gardens are the most beautiful part of the temple complex.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRanFUhzOsm1zxeM205EM0SpGZbjs8KmjtZtF6Y7pzNTSkXEg9Ml30JiVJKFALnXqLUx1wR_ZPLFj2Vd9B29QD8CHfvv1hOlvdrrQ4BAXxgeVw4mqW2I4sErlyJb3WoJQ5_Ntig/s1600/a+kyoto+029.jpg)
The temple overlooks a lake and I imagine the gardens would look spectacular during autumn when the leaves change colour.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwn1ymXbzaATshWGntpAZUYIvyPgjsXf-6xqUngfAksZT8irxk7pn23kU8kmT83x1Gicbn-vCLDutHQhz4VkfX3MN_QR1Yd6BhRGHmUIXcsNdx6sPSHxcMl9f0lWIEG8Zvl2zTw/s1600/a+kyoto+013.jpg)
The temple backs onto the Bamboo Grove so there are plenty of bamboo trees in the garden.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6tOYbcX7ED6bRV7WvZhcxB3V_UBVYd5aY-isMj8uZvYOaSlH0T1k4MUZ8wluRL5j3mxrQxOyI78cq6RPBK-k5BLdeTSQxD0BBWO-oYqc7yUjO3v2HzQHtVxChltKj75SJNUIPA/s1600/a+kyoto+012.jpg)
You can access the Bamboo Grove directly from the temple grounds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkiu5k-cJCcHjpFcVrrHb6tEFkYSPbQqLM4O4wsRvRm6dX-L9Q9vGNqsO93uVtN1lv60Larty8mPYpqd1xOn1YjqtgQUpoElbTHJpYe0qWNtbu8qpabFItzh-ZUXVCnUOjsLf_A/s1600/a+kyoto+018.jpg)
Now in my mind, I was walking through the Grove on my own and enjoying the wind rustling through the leaves. The picture on the right is in fact the reality.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aDK4ZQmj2pL-92NZ3zl6yrmXZjgBUf9D1BpIFncsfnsDgLdEjYmn4DVsKyud1YKTCyieK2_mN0K1_x3pxnF-Hu1Lq2sTcrwsvMPaEbMTbk9YvjIZlS1n4AsCO5u6kQBKoUvtzw/s1600/a+kyoto+032.jpg)
As you walk along the Grove there’s a sign pointing in the direction of the Okochi Sanso Villa, the former home of a movie actor.
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The villa, which is not open to the public, is surrounded by gardens.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1qD92xIoTPtwBzPyGcBBwzxiJjYjwZC-pO23pLEgYK9RR8j5wF-a3WID5bDn44ysMlMdYoUa28scaidYZe2LWiKVIFilncX7OfSuWvl8Rrd1eSNAYqeTUvqJTeyj6BHligTOxw/s1600/a+kyoto+034.jpg)
The garden is green, lush and very quiet looking out over the hills of Kyoto.
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After the crowds along the Bamboo Grove, I really enjoyed the solitude. As part of the entry fee you’re given Japanese tea and a Japanese sweet. That was my first taste of matcha tea but it wasn't going to be my last as I went to a Japanese tea ceremony later that day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sDos-GXAB1JNqXS4YTzzA9NqCBA_5K1XEctChc6csH7tD7yEJbzg1HAuiqzf9KAeIRu6He1f-JK4rUAzTrq8SNYzRY8nLdzRQEmLjL2caNnPV9IsbMxPkCTXvZxAORw37eGlig/s1600/a+kyoto+011.jpg)
I don’t have any photos of the ceremony at the En Tea House, but I can tell you although I’m not much of a fan of matcha tea (way too bitter for my taste buds) I found the ceremony very graceful and balletic. I bought some matcha tea from Ipoddo and now have a tea scoop and whisk as a memento of my time in Kyoto. I’m sure there will be some matcha flavoured goodies on the blog in the future.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i5YCL47ukdIkTUOic5dqR9GVwYZiCoXGnbgkHaXoaMiadTAmcTAwguQgQlBofxR0Pq9K1jABbFZIYPNr6p4KJrx-fQNOutSOOlau6c8QI0d9Xo_QgAfhfbEZZI7fbKNDY-sFFg/s1600/a+kyoto+017.jpg)
I walked back to my hotel and passed by this cute little shop. I planned a return visit to buy some goodies but ran out of time. They don't have a website, so I guess I might just have to go back Kyoto.
See you all again next week with some more baking, I think. I just have so many recipes I want to try and not enough time to bake.
Bye for now,
Jillian
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