After deciding to do some sightseeing things again I hopped on my bike and sped off towards Arashiyama. Being the end of the Autumn Leaves Season, I wasn't expecting much colour to remain on the trees but I still wanted to go. Once I got there, I took the 20 min walk to the top of the mountain to enjoy the view of Kyoto and to captures some playful monkeys on film (well, Digital SD card but whatever). After spotting the first cheeky one in the tree above me, I found myself at the summit only to be surrounded by 50 or so monkeys. It was a bit like being back in Yellowstone National Park and seeing the first bison crossing the road. Everyone stops to take pictures until you get bored, carry on driving over the next hill only to find yourself surrounded by several 100 of them. Having read the signs of "don't stare" etc I was cautious as I approached them and even though they seemed tame, their screeches and fighting amongst each other did make a lot of children cry. After feeding some monkeys with apples I carried on my sightseeing-way down the mountain to 天龍寺 Tenryuutera and the World Heritage sight that is the Zen garden.
Cute Warning Sign at the entrance
Monkey in the tree
After feeding the monkeys calmed down
Mmmm, apples are tasty
These 2 were fighting each other over scraps
They were so cute
And very hungry. Monkeys have sharp fingernails if you didn't know...
The view from the monkey park overlooking Kyoto
Monkey and fish sharing the pond
I got my Zen on while visiting the garden - at peace with the world now
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