I just love this scenery.

The autumn colors are amazing.

Kyoto's Arashiyama, famed across Japan for stunning autumn leaves;

has a beauty that really comes into its own from mid-November.

And that's where we're going!

I can't wait! What're we going to see?

My father's visiting me in Japan, and I'm showing him around. So...

The perfect itinerary - two hours of the best sightseeing with lots of things to see and do.

Two hours? Doesn't sound like much...

No worries. Just leave it to me!

We'll be using this route map.

Even if you can't visit, you'll still get a taste of the journey's essence!

Sounds like a plan!

We'll also have some cool animation, and stories of old Japan.

Oh! Samurai days!

This is the Perfect 2-Hour Guide to Arashiyama, world-famous for its natural and historic beauty.

I'm raring to go!

Let's go Dad!

The Arashiyama area is about 10 kilometers west of Kyoto Station.

- We could go by taxi or bus, but let's take a streetcar.
- Oh!

The streetcar line has been running for over a century.

Well, did you know there's an even older one in New Orleans. It's so...

- Sorry Dad, we need to check the route map.
- Oh...OK.

Our two-hour tour of Arashiyama will be divided into three areas.

Area One features two popular tourist spots; Tenryuji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge.

The autumn leaves are something to see.

Area two has an awesome bamboo forest.

We'll visit a wonderful temple, and hear a tale of samurai friendship from long ago.

Area three will feature the birthplace of many famous haiku poems.

Our final stop - an amazing garden built by a leading prewar Japanese film star.

- Then, come on! Let's get going!
- OK, OK!

Our action packed 2-hour journey to savor the charm of Arashiyama to the fullest starts now, Dad!

Finally! We're off!

We'll get off the streetcar at Arashiyama Station.

- Cross the street and turn right.
- OK.

Two minutes later we reach the gate of Tenryuji Temple. It's a World Heritage site.

Oh, that's impressive.

Our first must-see is through the gate.

My, my! Autumn leaves everywhere, all the way up the mountain!

The temple was built in the 14th century.

On the left, we have Mt. Arashiyama. That's how the area got its name.

Look at all the maple trees!

The red leaves are incredible.

Aren't they? Just gorgeous!

- This temple alone has 300 maples.
- Remarkable!

Another three-minute walk, and we can see the entrance to the main hall.

Let's go inside.

I'm right behind you!

We'll need to get tickets first.

Well, let Daddy take care of that.

Oh, that building looks classic.

The temple was destroyed by fire several times.

This building dates to 1899.

Our next must-see is on the other side.

What a lovely garden.

Look, there's even a big pond.

There's also something special about this place.

How so?

The trees on the mountain seem to be a part of the garden.

You're right. It's like one big, continuous forest!

There's a trick of perspective, called "Shakkei" in Japanese found in many gardens and temples in Japan.

They say the view of autumn leaves from here to the mountain is the best in Arashiyama.

The garden was created by the temple's first abbot, Muso Kokushi.

He was considered a genius of garden design, and also helped spread Zen teachings in Japan.

And with this garden, he wanted to express the essence of Zen.

I "am" starting to feel more peaceful and calm.

Could it be that I'm channeling Zen directly?

Maybe. Who knows?

Our next must-see also has a connection with Muso Kokushi.

This figure in the great shrine is a statue of the 14th-century emperor Go-Daigo.

This temple was built by his enemy.

Wait. His enemy? That doesn't make sense.

Ashikaga Takauji built Tenryuji Temple.

He was a shogun, and a bitter opponent of Go-Daigo.

They waged several military campaigns against each other.

Their rivalry split the country in two.

After Go-Daigo's death in 1339, Takauji built the temple in his memory.

But why would he do something like that...

to honor an enemy he fought for so long?

Supposedly he did it on the advice of Muso Kokushi.

- Ah, the Zen abbot you talked about.
- Right.

Muso Kokushi told him,

"Hatreds must not be carried into the next generation."

Ah-ha... Because of those teachings, this temple and that statue are here.

Those are pretty profound words, aren't they?

Yeah, they strike a chord, right to the heart.

There's one more must-see here. Let's visit the abbot's room.

This is just like a painting.

Those sliding doors frame the scene and bring everything into focus.

This "framing technique" is prominent in Kyoto's many gardens.

The autumn leaves seen from this building called 'Hojo' at Tenryuji Temple are especially famous.

Framing it makes the foliage even more striking.

Arashiyama's gardens are like masterpieces!

That was wonderful - the autumn leaves, the history, culture...

I'm up for our next destination!

Elapsed time is now around 15 minutes. Let's keep going.

Now, let's see the mountain that gives the area its name.

That's Mt. Arashiyama.

At its base, the Katsuragawa River.

You might hear it called the Oigawa River.

The mountain is steep, so the trees don't overlap each other.

You can see each one.

A truly breathtaking view.

I can see why this scenery is so popular!

People have been coming here for centuries to see the mountain and the river flowing past.

Long ago, aristocrats went on boating excursions here.

Hmm... Look there!

This 19th-century painting shows one of those excursions.

They'd bring poets and musicians, and compete to see whose boat was the most talented.

Elegance and luxury. And the perfect setting.

Mt. Arashiyama and the Katsuragawa River have been drawing tourists for a long time.

They sure have.

Elapsed time is now around 25 minutes.

The next must-see is on the Katsuragawa.

Isn't that bridge famous?

Togetsukyo Bridge is a symbol of Arashiyama.

There's been a bridge here for more than a thousand years.

This one is 150 meters long.

Does the name have a certain meaning?

"Togetsu" means "the crossing moon."

One moonlit night in the 13th century, the emperor was composing poetry here.

He said the moon seemed to be crossing the bridge - "togetsu."

They say that's how it got its name.

And a very romantic name, too.

Let's cross!

- Walk for one minute and...stop!
- What?!

Now look right, Dad.

What's that round mountain?

It's another must-see.

Although it's just under 300 meters tall,

Mt. Ogurayama is a very important mountain for the Arashiyama area.

In fact, they say it's the reason the autumn leaves here are so famous.

In 1235, Ogurayama's autumn leaves became part of the Hyakunin Isshu.

- What's that?
- The Hyakunin Isshu is a famous collection of 100 poems by 100 different poets.

There's a poem in it about this mountain.

"ogurayama
mine no momijiba

"kokoro araba
ima hitotabi no
miyuki matanamu"

Translation please?

"Maple leaves that crown Mt. Ogurayama.
If you have a heart,

I bid you wait for the emperor
before you fall"

When the emperor heard this poem,

he was moved to come here to see the leaves with his own eyes.

The mountain's name spread all over Japan, and the rest is history.

Leave it to Japan - a poem, then a tourist spot.

Next must-see, Dad. It's near the bridge.

You're keeping me guessing.

This is the highlight of any Togetsukyo visit.

Mountain and bridge in a single frame.

That sums it up.

It almost looks designed for photographers.

That's it for Area One. How did you like it?

I liked it a lot! Arashiyama isn't just autumn colors.

There's so much history.

If you have time to spare, there's some other things to enjoy around here.

"Yudofu" is boiled tofu.
One of Kyoto's representative dishes
and a favorite in Arashiyama.

Originally a vegetarian cuisine for monks,
tofu became a local standard.

It is said to be too soft to eat with chopsticks.

It warms your whole body.
The tofu is very soft.

The weather is starting to get cold.
This helps you stay cozy.

"Sakuramochi"
This confection wraps sweet bean paste and rice cake
in a fermented cherry leaf.

Often pink like spring cherry blossoms,
Arashiyama's "sakuramochi" is white.

For Arashiyama's canvas of changing hues,
white "sakuramochi" suits every season.

Rokuoin Temple.

Constructed 600 years ago.
The temple walk is lined with moss and blazing colors.

Jojakkoji Temple.

This gate, flanked by Deva guardians,
dates to the 14th century.

The temple is surrounded by fall foliage
at the foot of Mt. Ogurayama.

All right Dad, let's explore Area Two.

I'm ready! What's in store for us?

You'll hear a tragic story, visit a famous power spot, and discover some samurai secrets.

Ooh! Can't wait!

Our route takes us north, up the main street toward a mysterious bamboo forest.

From there we'll visit a historic residence in a beautiful setting.

Area Two will take about 35 minutes to cover.

Elapsed time to this point is about 35 minutes.

- You're OK to keep going, right Dad?
- Of course!

The first Area Two must-see is on the road back toward Togetsukyo Bridge.

There used to be a bridge here, called Kotokikibashi Bridge.

A koto is a Japanese harp, and kiki means "hear."

In other words, the bridge where a Japanese harp was heard.

There's a tragic story behind this spot.

Tell me more!

In the 12th century, a noblewoman named Kogo was famous for her beauty and her koto skills.

- Emperor Takakura fell in love with her despite already having a wife.
- Oh!

Due to court politics, she went into hiding in Arashiyama, far from the Emperor.

- But the emperor couldn't forget her, so he sent his deputy, Minamoto no Nakakuni, to find her.
- And!?

Kogo was nowhere to be found.

So by the light of the harvest moon, Nakakuni played his flute near the bridge,

hoping Kogo would answer him with her koto.

Then...

As if in answer, he heard the plucking of koto strings.

He discovered Kogo's hiding place and brought her back to Kyoto.

She bore the emperor a child.

But she was forced to take monastic vows by people at court who resented her.

- So the bridge that once stood here was an important part of that tragic love story.
- It was.

- Now, I don't want you to get tired, Dad.
- I'm fine!

But I have the solution.

Good morning!

What's this?

In Japanese, it's called a "jinrikisha."

Ah! A rickshaw.

Just pay the fare and take a seat.

Hey, the view from up here isn't bad.

All right, here we go!

Oh, that looks like hard work.

You'll find rickshaws at historic tourist spots all over Japan.

I recommend them for fun and comfort.

- How you doing, Dad?
- Very relaxing! This is fun!

We'll turn here.

- Where are we headed?
- Just one of the most popular spots in Arashiyama!

Really? Now I'm curious!

Wow. This is like another world.

The forest path is lined for 500 meters by tens of thousands of bamboo stalks.

It's a photographer's dream.

Yes, the forest is a tourist magnet.

Can our driver get around in here?

Sure. The rickshaw has its own bamboo forest path.

Hold on, we're going to sway a little.

Here's the rickshaw path.

All right, let's experience the forest.

True Japanese scenery.

Bamboo green calms the soul.

They say the local people took care to preserve the forest.

Look up! It's even prettier.

I also wanted to show you the hedge along the side of the path.

The hedge on the right
is made from bamboo grass.

It looks simple, but the technique is
a thousand years old.

This is the same scene
that people saw in ancient times.

A scene with a thousand years of history.

I get why they worked hard to preserve it.

The rickshaw path ends here.

Ōkini!

Ōkini is Kyoto dialect. It means "thank you."

Ōkini to you too!

Our elapsed time is now around 45 minutes.

And here's the next must-see!

You mean that wooden gate?

This gate is called a torii.

It's the entrance to Nonomiyajinja Shrine.

I've seen gates like this. But why is this one black?

They left the black oak bark exposed. It's the oldest style of torii.

I think I'm just starting to grasp how much history is all around me.

The black gate and the yellow ginkgo leaves - it's like time stopped.

Come on, let's take a look at the shrine.

Oh! Sure are a lot of tourists.

The shrine is actually a power spot. It's been popular for centuries.

Power spot? I have to see this.

Look Dad, to the left.

- A heart.
- People come here to get lucky in love.

Oh, that's the power, eh?

I wonder what that couple in kimono prayed for.

Wish them luck.

Another must-see is on the grounds of the shrine.

There used to be a building here, called the Saiku.

What was it for?

It's the residence for Saio - unmarried female relatives of the imperial family.

They came here to purify themselves, so they could serve the gods at Shinto shrines.

They appear in Japan's most famous work of literature.

It's called the Tale of Genji, from around the 11th century.

- It follows the romantic relationships of an aristocrat named Hikaru Genji.
- Oh!

A woman named Rokujo no Miyasudokoro fell in love with Genji

and used a curse to murder his wife, Aoi no Ue, out of jealousy.

Oh, sounds scary.

After that, Rokujo no Miyasudokoro was estranged from Genji and left Kyoto with her daughter.

The daughter became a Saio, and lived here with her mother at the Saiku.

I do feel a mysterious power here.

Today it's a power spot for romantic good fortune.

You can almost feel the joys and sorrows of people here, swirling around.

Let's take our rickshaw and head for the next must-see.

We turn left when we see the big temple.

- We'll get off here. Thank you, Ijiri-san.
- ŌKINI!

This is Hokyoin Temple, the last one we'll visit in Area Two.

Our next must-see is in the temple!

This garden is lovely too.

The moss with fallen leaves is really special.

The garden here is another prime spot for fall visits.

I can see why.

It's like there's a multicolored canopy over our heads.

This temple is the work of pupils of Muso Kokushi, who designed Tenryuji.

The techniques of the master and the teachings of Zen come together in a way you can actually feel.

There's the main hall, in the center of the garden.

There's something to see inside.

I'm excited! This is a great tour!

As you enter the great hall, look to the left.

- I see. The framing technique, right?
- Right.

The doors facing the garden frame the perfect view.

The room itself becomes an art gallery for autumn leaves.

Dad, you're starting to talk like a poet.

Thanks to Arashiyama.

It's so rare to find an area that offers so many different experiences.

The next must-see is in the garden.

Now, what are these two monuments?

They're actually the graves of bitter rivals.

No kidding!?

There was the Ashikaga clan and Kusunoki clan, who fought over the rightful lineage of the emperor.

Kusunoki Masatsura was killed in battle in 1348, fighting the Ashikaga forces.

His bravery became a legend for succeeding generations.

And what about the other guy?

Ashikaga Yoshiakira, the second Ashikaga shogun.

When he heard about Masatsura's character firsthand from a Buddhist priest, Yoshiakira asked to be buried next to him.

Two rivals, side by side for almost seven hundred autumns. Wow.

Elapsed time: about an hour and ten minutes. How was Area 2?

Stunning colors and fascinating tales from yesteryear. I'm impressed!

Great! Here's some other things to explore.

Sagano Romantic Train.

The train runs 7.3 kilometers between
Saga Torokko and Kameoka Torokko Stations.

Along the way are stunning views of autumn foliage
in the Hozugawa River gorge.

It's one of the most popular ways to see Arashiyama fall colors.

It was stunning.
I'll never forget it.

The trip takes 25 minutes.

Sagano Romantic Train - Adult fare ¥880
Operates from Mar. - Dec. (exact dates vary annually)

It's time for our third and final area.

Perfect. What's in store?

Oh! These fall colors are so intense!

Our first stop is Nison-in Temple, at the foot of Mt. Ogurayama.

Then we'll visit a house that hasn't changed in over 300 years.

And the last stop will be a garden built by a leading prewar Japanese film star.

- Our fifty-minute route has a lineup of six must-see spots.
- Lead on!

Elapsed time is about an hour and ten minutes.

Our first must-see is a temple called Nison-in.

- Beyond the gate, we'll see fall scenery that's as impressive as anything so far.
- Indeed!

This walk offers some of the nicest views I've seen.

I'm with you on that.

- The hundred-meter walk is flanked by about 200 maples of different kinds.
- Splendid.

Wait a minute? We have red leaves on the right, yellow on the left.

At the end of the walk, there is a white-walled main hall.

Oh, that's a beautiful kimono.

The entrance is on the left, Dad.

Wow, this temple is absolutely blazing with color.

You'll see the entrance in another 30 meters or so.

They say this gate used to be exclusively for the emperor's attendants.

Our must-see is in the main hall.

These images are enshrined here.

They're from the 13th century, in the Kamakura period.

- Other than the hands and clothes, they're almost complete reverse images.
- You're right.

The Shakyamuni Buddha on the right delivers believers to the Pure Land.

The Amitabha Buddha on the left is waiting in the Pure land to welcome them.

The name "Nison-in" means "temple of two revered images."

Their faces are full of compassion.

Just seeing them is a healing experience.

Let's keep going.

Elapsed time is about one hour, thirty minutes.

I hope you're not tired, Dad.

Don't worry about me. Where are we off to next?

Another must-see, this time with a fruit theme.

The fruit of that tree!

- What kind of fruit?
- You'll see.

This residence is called Rakushisha, the House Where Fruit Falls.

Fruit, as in persimmons.

Ah yes, persimmons.

There's an interesting story behind the name of this house.

Come on, let's go inside!

So what's so interesting?

The house is unchanged from the samurai era, more than 300 years ago.

Hmm. It does look pretty spartan.

The haiku poet Mukai Kyorai once lived in this house.

The story I mentioned, the one about persimmons, concerns some bad luck for Kyorai.

There were 40 persimmon trees in Kyorai's garden.

One autumn, he decided to sell the fruit to a Kyoto merchant.

But the night before, there was a storm.

All the persimmons fell to the ground!

That was bad luck!

Instead of getting upset, Kyorai wrote a poem about it.

It's on the monument in the garden.

Ah! This must be it.

Yes. This is the inscription.

"Kakinushi ya
kozue wa chikaki
Arashiyama"

Translation please?

"Above the persimmon trees,
Mt. Arashiyama seems close at hand."

That is, with all the fruit gone, he could see the mountain clearly now.

So he was about taking life in stride.

Right, looking on the bright side.

Haiku poets in those days had the ability to sum up something deep in just a few words.

So Kyorai wrote a poem about his misfortune, and even named his house after it.

That's a poetic sense of humor.

I mean, really.

The garden is planted with flowers that often appear in haiku poems.

People even get together here for haiku readings.

Any ideas for a poem, Dad?

- Uh... Ok... Maple leaves... Maple Syrup...
- Whoops, we'd better get going.

Ōkini!

Our next must-see is on the far side of the square.

From here, you can see the house and garden as a whole.

It's like going back in time to the samurai era.

It's fun to imagine how quiet and peaceful Arashiyama was back then.

Matsuo Basho was Japan's most famous haiku poet.

He composed a poem during a visit here.

"Hitokitarazu
shujitsu
kanwoetari"

It means, "What a joy it is to have no visitors all day."

Arashiyama was a place to escape the madding crowd.

Perfect for composing poetry. You can feel it.

Our elapsed time is 1 hour 40 minutes.

This is our final tourist spot, Dad.

It's called Okochi Sanso.

We'll need tickets here too.

There's a must-see just three minutes' walk up this slope.

This Japanese garden is truly gorgeous.

It covers 20,000 square meters, about five acres, and has several separate gardens.

Look! They used "shakkei," that same trick of perspective again.

You're developing a good eye, Dad.

This reminds me of the garden at Hokyoin.

Red leaves on green moss. Magical.

You can enjoy the best of Japanese gardens in one place.

Truly a must-see!

Okochi Denjiro was a leading Japanese prewar film star.

He kept working on this garden for 30 years, until his death.

Why was he such a garden fan?

It's partly connected with the movies he made.

Back then, film stock was hard to preserve.

Scenes that everyone worked hard to film were destined to be lost.

They say Denjiro wanted to create something of beauty that would always remain.

The sign of a true artist.

So, Denjiro used each of the scenes in this garden as a way to express himself.

1 hour and 55 minutes have passed.

- One more must-see?
- Of course.

Let's walk up the slope.

Here it is; the panoramic view from the hilltop terrace.

You can see the mountains that shield Kyoto from the east, and the city itself at their feet.

Truly beautiful.

It's been 2 hours, and we've seen so much!

We sure did!

Shall we review where we've been today, Dad?

Take it away!

In Area One, we saw Tenryuji Temple and its garden, and learned about its history.

We viewed the autumn leaves on Mt. Arashiyama and Mt. Ogurayama, and saw the Katsuragawa River.

In Area Two, we heard a tragic story about Kotokikibashi Bridge,

explored a mysterious bamboo forest and learned about more Japanese history.

In Area Three, we toured Nison-in Temple, Rakushisha, and the garden of Okochi Sanso,

and experienced the natural beauty of Arashiyama.

Two hours of all-you-can-see fun!

Kyoto's Arashiyama has it all:

fiery autumn foliage, stories of samurais and emperors, ancient poetry and literature.

The best of Japan's land and culture, all in one area.

Ōkini to my super-knowledgeable guide for a wonderful two hours.

I can't resist ending with another poem about Arashiyama, from the 11th century.

"Oigawa
furuki nagare wo
tazunekite

arashi no yama no
momiji wozo miru"

It means, "To visit a river of history, to see autumn leaves in Arashiyama."

The perfect ending.

I'm really glad you enjoyed the tour, Dad.

Where shall we go next?

So many wonderful things to see!

We hope you'll come again on our next Perfect 2-hour Guide.

- Sayonara!
- Sayonara!