Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (嵐山竹林)

The bamboo forest (also called Sagano Bamboo Forest 嵯峨野竹林) is rather pale grey-green, rather than bright or dark green.  Since this is deep winter.  

But very pleasing and enjoyable nevertheless.  

When we visited, it was a cold and wet morning. Then snow started to fall. An hour later, the sun came out.  At one point, snow was flying in my face while the sun was shining.  It was exhilarating.

There were, as always, a lot of visitors, just like other attractions around Kyoto.  There are, fortunately, many interesting places covering a big area. 

There is the bamboo forest, many temples, a river, an old railway track, dams, shops, …

If one is willing to walk a bit, one can reach the upper reaches of the river, and be rewarded by quiet and tranquility, surrounded by great scenery. Imagine living in small houses on the river, among the bamboo and tall trees, with few neighbours, if any.

Some people come in what seem like kimonos. But not all who wear kimonos are Japanese. Many are foreigners, speaking Putonghua, Cantonese, English, and more.  

They all look pretty nevertheless.