This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: Goûter à la sérénité du temple Jojakko-ji

^{As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.}

Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.

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The giant bamboo forest of Arashiyama is beginning to welcome its flow of tourists. I slip away to make room for them and head for the Jojakko-ji temple. I cross the railway line that leads to the [Torokko station](Torokko Arashiyama Station), not without let the train go.

I'm following my GPS, I pass by a pond and I'm supposed to arrive in front of the temple entrance. I do not see anything, it's weird. I continue on the road hoping to find an indication, still nothing. I finally see a person coming in and asking where the temple is. She then shows me the entry, telling me that it only opens at 10 am, I have 30 minutes to wait.

I take the opportunity to explore the surroundings, and come back right at the time of opening. I am the first visitor of the day.

The temple is built at the foot of a mountain, or rather on the side because the visit is a beautiful climb on the heights and it offers a beautiful view of Arashiyama. It is a succession of paths and stairs, which always lead higher.

It begins with the main door, surrounded by maples, which opens onto a first grand staircase. All along, lanterns are arranged, lanterns of all shapes and sizes.

Halfway through, I arrive in front of several traditional pavilions, which are really beautiful. The place is surrounded by greenery, including Momiji maples some of which are starting to take some autumnal colors.

And there is moss, a lot of moss. The place is extremely wet and the ground is a silky rug, a green wonderland.

It is a real moment of calm and relaxation, there are very few tourists. Finally, I arrive at the top, with a beautiful pagoda and the view of the surroundings.

The Jojakko-ji temple was the pleasant surprise of this day in Arashiyama. It's a magical place, a true Épinal print of traditional Kyoto. Sometimes words have to disappear to make room for images ...

-- @japon

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01: Travel diary in Japan, by @japon
02: Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon
03: Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon
04: Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon
05: Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon
06: Asakusa, diving in the heart of Tokyo's historic district, by @japon
07: Ameyoko, Ueno's colorful market, by @japon
08: Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, by @japon
09: Climb the steps of Atago Jinja Shrine in Tokyo, by @japon
10: Hama Rikyu, an exceptional park in the heart of Tokyo, by @japon
11: Jimbocho, old books and tempura, by @japon
12: Shinjuku Gyoen Park and the best burger in the world!, by @japon
13: One night in Shibuya, by @japon
14: Takeshita dori : this little street dedicated to fashion (and good crepes), by @japon
15: They lie to you about Kyoto, by @japon
16: The temples and secret garden of Higashi in Kyoto, by @japon
17: Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
18: Ryoan-ji, the amazing stone garden in Kyoto, by @japon
19: The Ninna-ji Temple and its extraordinary gardens, by @japon
20: Kyoto Gyoen, the Imperial Palace Park, by @japon
21: Nishiki Market: A Must in Kyoto, by @japon
22: Ginkaku-ji, the temple of the silver pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
23: Meditate on the path of philosophy, by @japon
24: Nanzen-ji, its impressive gate and two gardens, by @japon
25: Heian-jinju: the big shrine and its garden that I almost missed, by @japon
26: Eikan-do, the temple of the momiji maples in Kyoto, by @japon
27: Kodai-ji, a Kyoto temple dedicated to a woman's love for her husband, by @japon
28: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the streets of Higashiyama, by @japon
29: Kiyomizu-dera, the temple of pure water in Kyoto, by @japon
30: Tofuku-ji: the maple lookout point, by @japon
31: Makis, Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Maruyama Park, by @japon
32: Nijo Castle and its fabulous garden, by @japon
33:Departure for Osaka and its castle, and announcement of a typhoon, by @japon
34: Osaka, the garden Keitaku-en under a torrential rain, by @japon
35: Doguya-suji, the kitchen market in Osaka, by @japon
36: Dōtonbori, the bustling district of Osaka, by @japon
37: Back to Kyoto and Typhoons, meetings and reunions, by @japon
38: Sanjūsangen-dō, the temple of a thousand and one statues, by @japon
39: On the road to Fushimi Inari Taisha, by @japon
40: Daigo-ji, the large Buddhist complex built on a mountainside, by @japon
41: Departure for Nara, we look at the fallow deers and we mistake the garden, by @japon
42: Isui-en, the big Japanese garden of Nara, by @japon
43: Todai-ji, the temple with the huge Buddha statue in Nara, by @japon
44: Nara, from Nigatsu-dō to Kasuga, by @japon
45: Arashiyama, the district west of Kyoto and its bamboo plantation, by @japon