Togetsukyo Bridge | Review by Gina C

In Kyoto’s Arashiyama, besides Togetsukyo Bridge and the Sagano Bamboo Forest path, there’s another very interesting attraction: Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama! Its biggest highlight is the chance to observe the Japanese macaques living on the mountain up close. For animal lovers, it’s a very special experience.

However, seeing the monkeys isn’t as simple as just walking into the park. You first have to hike uphill along a mountain trail, which can be a little tiring for people who don’t exercise much! You can enjoy the surrounding natural scenery along the way. Once you finally reach the top, you can see the monkeys roaming freely around the park and look out over the city of Kyoto from above. When the weather is good, the view is quite nice.

As soon as you enter the bamboo grove, towering bamboo rises straight into the sky on both sides, with layers of dense bamboo leaves overlapping to form a lush green tunnel. Walking through it feels like entering another world, surrounded by emerald-green bamboo. It feels especially peaceful and is a striking contrast to Kyoto's bustling streets.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, accompanied by the rustling sound of the leaves in the gentle breeze. The whole scene has the distinctive atmosphere of a Japanese garden.

When traveling in Osaka, you definitely shouldn't miss Katsuo-ji Temple, known as the "Temple of Winning Luck"! The temple's most distinctive feature is the adorable daruma dolls found everywhere. From the steps and cracks between rocks to every corner of the temple, daruma dolls of all sizes are on display—so many that it's almost overwhelming!

The daruma at Katsuo-ji Temple aren't just decorations; they also symbolize victory and good luck. Many people come here to pray for success in their careers, passing exams, or overcoming the various challenges in their lives. The temple's Japanese garden is also very distinctive. Together with the traditional buildings and stone steps, the entire setting has a strong Japanese temple atmosphere, and walking through it feels especially peaceful.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good during this visit. The sky was overcast, so the scenery lacked the brightness of sunlight, and I couldn't take the photos I had hoped for. It was really a bit disappointing! Still, even in poor weather, you can feel the unique charm of Katsuo-ji Temple. With so many daruma everywhere, you really never get tired of photographing them.