My Solo Experience At Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Travelling alone has never been my cup of tea because I am quite 'blur like sotong' and will be an easy target for thieves. But I was forced to travel alone in Kyoto as my best friend fell seriously ill during our trip and she had to rest in the hotel for a couple of days. I headed to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove because I love greenery. Upon stepping out of the train station, the place was full of people who had companions: families, friends and couples — it surely wasn't a place for solo travellers!





Upon stepping out of the train station, the sky turned dark rather quickly and it started to drizzle.

Everyone rushed to find shelter while some bought umbrellas, and the shop owners marked up the price of their umbrellas. If I bought an umbrella, I wouldn't have enough cash for food and train tickets back to the hotel (forgot to bring more money!).

I felt lost and decided to video call my boyfriend and asked him to pray that it won't rain. This man of God was quick to declare powerfully, "Dear Lord, please don't rain".

Everyone else was running to find shelter, while I was alone in the open without any umbrella giggling away at the sight. It took less than five minutes for the sky to clear up really quickly, and the weather for the rest of the day was enjoyable! Hallelujah! You can see from the photos how it was really dark / grey initially and the skies cleared up after that :)

The train station

Stepped out of the train station and it started to drizzle

The map from the train station to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Bike Rental to Arashiyama (not recommended)

Skies have cleared up immediately

Strangely, I had a lot of fun even though I was on my own! I bought a gelato from an ice-cream shop and the store assistant mentioned to me that this ice-cream wouldn't melt. She also challenged me to hold the ice-cream upside down! My "blur sotong" spirit acted up again and it was at this very spot which I lost my camera lens... (cries).

This gelato doesn't melt!

I hope to wear a Kimono one day!

Not many people!

The bamboo trees make beautiful music when the wind blows

God's creation is so beautiful!

Accidentally went up to a graveyard... I should have read the signs!

Beautiful flowers in the graveyard!

Try staring at this photo...

Japanese temple for love and luck

I was lost and had no idea where I was. This photo reminds me of the fishermen dropping their nets to follow Jesus!

My trip to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of the most memorable moments of my Japan travelogue. I got lost several times and accidentally went into a graveyard and a gun hunting prohibited area. I also came upon a mysterious mountain (or a hill, no idea) which had an elderly man and young woman playing the flute. There were birds flying around as they played the beautiful melody. I remember panicking when the sun was setting really fast because I was really lost and the wifi wasn't working in the mountain. I ended up following the sound of water which led me to another train station. Oh yes, there was also a part of the trip which I felt really thirsty and a vending machine appeared out of nowhere. Remember I said I had no money? Two caucasian guys passed by and they gave me this drink for free (literally just passed it to me). Even though I was alone, I could really feel the presence of the Lord!

and His eyes were like blazing fire.

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him" — Luke 22:56

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Japan, 〒616-8394 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Ukyō-ku, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamachō, 嵯峨野々宮町