Storm Mountain - Arashiyama

This time I will show you my postcards which I found in the envelop with the letter which came to me from Japan.

Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto (Japan). It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.

Hozu River - Shooting the Rapids

The Hozu River is a part of Katsura River in Kyoto Prefecture. The river begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town northwest of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama section of western Kyoto before changing its name to Katsura River.

The Hozu River is considered scenic, and is known primarily for its association with Hozugawa Kudari, literally “down the Hozu river”, a sightseeing whitewater boat that goes downstream from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Hozugawa Kudari is especially popular in the fall, when the Japanese Maple leaves change colors, and in the Spring, when the sakura, or Japanese cherry tree, blooms. The trip usually takes about two hours.

The Togetsukyō - bridge in Autumn

The Togetsukyō is a bridge across the river. The river shown in the photograph changes names on either side of this bridge. West of the bridge it is the Hozu River and east of the bridge it is the Katsura River. It is the symbol of Arashiyama area, the beautiful sight of this bridge has been taken up by many a poet. In days of antiquity, boating here was an eloquent pastime for the aristocracy.