Is this the place I’m looking for?
Filled with determination, I had decided to explore the area myself. While Granny had described Kyoto in great detail during the day, certain aspects could only be fully understood by experiencing them firsthand.
“Let’s see, what can I recommend from Arashiyama… First, there’s its symbol, Togetsukyō Bridge, right? And then there’s Hōrin-ji Temple, famous for its Jūsan Mairi prayer, and Tenryū-ji Temple, a World Heritage site in the heart of Arashiyama.”
Granny continued, “Be sure to check out the cloud dragon painting on the ceiling of the hatto. The black and white dragon is drawn in a way that it seems to be staring at you from any angle. And if you walk a little further, you can enjoy the tofu dish of Sagano at Shoraian.”
As Granny spoke,I diligently took notes, but realized I would only be able to recognize the places if I visited them beforehand. Still, Granny seemed delighted to share her knowledge, speaking with a clear voice.
“And then, the towering bamboo grove is also lovely. If you follow the road, there’s the famous Nonomiya Shrine for matchmaking. The area is quiet, so you can relax there, don’t you think?”
Granny’s stories were always soothing and resonated deep within me. Even if I didn’t fully understand the details, I wanted to listen to her stories for as long as possible. However, upon a crucial realization, I interrupted the flow of her narrative.
“Granny, are the places open at night too?”
“At night?” Granny seemed puzzled by my question.
We only met on nights with a full moon. It was because Saki longed for the blue moon. When the blue moon glowed, she came to the spring. To meet her without any special arrangements, I had to go to the spring on a night with a blue moon.
The town of Arashiyama at night, which I saw two or three nights ago, had its shutters down and appeared desolate. Temples and shrines were closed, and hardly any people were on the streets. At nighttime, Arashiyama’s ambiance transformed into the serene and elegant atmosphere Kyoto was known for. There were only a few open shops, such as restaurants and convenience stores, with Japanese-style entrances. I couldn’t help but wonder if the places Grandma had told me about were also closed.
“You’re going at night? If so, you should have told me from the beginning,” Grandma said, crossing her arms and pondering. As expected, it seemed like the town of Arashiyama closed its curtains at night.
After contemplating for a while, Grandma exclaimed, “Ah, I remembered something.”
Curious, I asked, “What is it?”
She nodded and replied, “It seems that something new has been recently built. A friend who lives nearby went to see it and couldn’t stop raving about it. It’s beautiful even during the day, but it lights up from the inside at night, creating a fantastic spectacle. Everyone who has seen it says it’s incredibly stunning and that you should go check it out. Why don’t you go take a look?”
Grandma mentioned that she hadn’t seen the new place yet, so I decided to say, “I’ll go take a picture and come back,” before leaving the house.
And now, here I was, standing at that very place.
Grandma had informed me that the place I sought was inside Arashiyama Station, which was on the Arashiyama Line of the Keifuku Electric Railroad in Kyoto. The Keifuku Electric Railroad is a tram system that runs through the town of Kyoto. The starting point of the Arashiyama main line is Arashiyama Station, which terminates at Shijō-Ōmiya Station. The locals affectionately refer to this train as “Randen.”
I made my way to Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railroad. Upon arrival, I noticed no ticket gates on the premises, and the station area resembled an open space rather than a traditional station. It had more of a plaza-like atmosphere. To the left, I could see the tracks, and there was a quaint, retro-looking train with just one car parked there. On the right, poles towering above me covered the area.
This was it — the place Grandma had described. I recognized it immediately.
With anticipation, I approached the site. Colorful poles, reaching about two meters, stood at regular intervals along the path. The poles displayed colors unlike anything I had seen before. I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the exquisite acrylic poles, their beauty captivating me. It dawned on me — there was something concealed within these poles.
A realization washed over me, leaving me speechless with surprise. Inside the transparent acrylic poles were kimonos. I was in awe, forgetting to utter a single word.
Through a sign near the entrance, I discovered these kimonos were crafted from Kyoto-yuzen fabric, offering thirty-two patterns to admire. This place was aptly named the Kimono Forest, featuring six hundred poles adorned with Kyoto-yuzen fabric. It truly embodied the essence of Kyoto-yuzen, creating a world brimming with its charm.
Grandma’s words echoed in my mind, “At night, the world is illuminated.” A forest of light, I thought, envisioning the scene that would unfold. I couldn’t help but wonder, Which is more beautiful, the nearby natural bamboo forest or this enchanting artificial forest of light?
As I touched the acrylic poles, my mind filled with memories of Grandma’s words from a few hours ago. Deep in thought, I gazed into the distance, captivated by the scene unfolding before me.
The poles, filled with vibrant Kyoto-yuzen fabrics, exuded a remarkable beauty even in the daylight. However, it was at night when the true enchantment revealed itself. A gentle glow emanated from within, transforming the entire area into a realm of wonder.
I imagined it, a corridor adorned with illuminated kimonos — a sight of extraordinary beauty. I was overwhelmed by the desire to stroll through this magical Kimono Forest at night. I couldn’t help but wonder if Saki, my companion, would share in the delight of witnessing the illuminated woods.
In my mind’s eye, I recalled Saki’s serene gaze, akin to someone who had beheld a nighttime panorama from atop a mountain. I could almost envision her beautiful profile, her eyes reflecting the mesmerizing view. With each beat of my heart, anticipation and excitement surged within me.
“Furthermore, why don’t you take the Randen and explore the Sanjō or Shijō area? Many young people enjoy spending time there.”
The towns outside Arashiyama were unfamiliar territory for me, so I made sure to take careful notes of her suggestions.
Finally, nightfall arrived, and it was time to embark on my adventure.
“Alright, I’m off,” I whispered, opening the door cautiously. The sliding door closed behind me, its echoing sound blending with the tranquility of the residential neighborhood. The view from Grandma’s house on the hill remained as serene as ever. Under the deep blue sky, I set off toward the town.
Walking through the traditional streets, a delightful medley of sweet and savory aromas wafted through the air, teasing my senses. I tried to identify the source of the enticing smell — was it a simmered dish or perhaps oden? No, oden wasn’t typically eaten in summer.
As I contemplated the tantalizing fragrance, my stomach rumbled despite having just had dinner. I couldn’t help but chuckle at my sluggish metabolism, reminding myself to grab a bite to eat soon.
While playing a dinner guessing game and admiring the unchanging townscapes, I descended into town. The familiar nighttime ambiance welcomed me.
Tonight, the blue moon watched over me again. Thanks to it illuminating the path, I headed straight for the forest.
“It’s cold.”
Did it rain this morning? When I arrived at the forest, droplets on the leaves along the path wetted my arm. Upon closer inspection, the droplets shimmered like crystals under the blue moonlight. I wondered if the town’s rain had already dried up, but I hadn’t noticed.
Perhaps only the forest, where the sun doesn’t shine, retained these water droplets. A blue spring came into view as I walked through the damp forest. Simultaneously, my eyes searched for her — the girl I fell in love with at first sight, who used to play by the spring with an umbrella. But today…
Huh? She’s not here…
Saki was absent from her usual spot by the spring. I looked around but couldn’t find her anywhere. Was she not coming today?
“Whoa!”
A voice startled me. As I turned in the direction of the sound, I found myself face to face with a smiling girl — Saki. My heart leaped at the sight of her, relieved that I could meet her again.
“What are you doing?” I managed to ask, trying to steady my trembling voice.
“Yesterday, you scared me. So, I wanted to surprise you today, and I was hiding over there,” she explained, pointing toward the nearby fence.
“Did I surprise you?” Saki asked, her big round eyes fixated on me.
I couldn’t help but notice her endearing habit of proudly sniffing. Though I found her words a bit childish, I kept it to myself. She resembled a tail-wagging puppy, eager for her master’s approval, or a mischievous child attempting to surprise her father.