Traveling Japan: Arashiyama’s Okochi-Sanso Villa

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The Okochi-Sanso Villa in Arashiyama used to be the home of a famous actor named Denjiro Okochi. As I was researching the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest destination, I saw mention of this, read a little about it, saw some beautiful pictures of the buildings and gardens, and decided I had to stop by–especially because there’s a tea included with the price of about $20 USD ticket. It did not disappoint.

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To get to the Villa, you have to walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The Villa is a sort of private museum, so you have to buy a ticket to go in. The grounds were contemplative and lovely.

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It takes about an hour to leisurely stroll down the decorative rock paths to all the different parts of the garden, and there’s a sweet view at every turn.

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If I stayed in Kyoto again, I wouldn’t mind coming in here and strolling for half a day.

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Of course, my favorite part was the tea house with tea and dessert that comes with your entrance fee. You get a nice cup of heartwarming matcha and a little block of sweet been paste. Add on top of that a serene view of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest outside the picturesque sliding windows, and you’ve got a little slice of zen heaven right here.

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You can also choose to take your tea outside so you get a taste of the elements to add some authenticity to your tea experience. Make me just want to settle down with a book so I could better experience the passage of time there and look up from my read to enjoy the views anew every few minutes.

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Next up, Kyoto’s Heian Shrine.

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