🎋 Japan Day 10: Bamboo, Monkeys, Food Tour & Karaoke!

📍 Places: Kyoto – Arashiyama & Sagano → Osaka

🎍 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

We started the day by taking a train to Arashiyama, where we walked through the magical bamboo forest.
📖 About Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: One of Kyoto's most iconic sights, a walk through this bamboo forest will be one of your most lasting memories of the city. 

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Go early to avoid the crowds and get the best photos.

• Wear sturdy shoes, the paths can be uneven.

• Bring water, especially on hot days.

We snapped a few photos of the stunning nature before heading to the base of Monkey Mountain.

🐒 Monkey Mountain – Monkey Park Iwatayama

Those who wanted to went up Monkey Mountain. Tickets were included in our package, so the guide handled that. I wanted to see the monkeys, so I went up, even though I was out of shape with asthma. I walked with Helena, and we took it slow. It was insanely hot. First came the worst part, stairs!...then a steep trail. Luckily, there were benches and misting fans along the way. When we were almost at the top, we ducked into an air-conditioned building to cool off. I'd brought cooling wet wipes that you rub on your face, arms, or legs, they give an icy feeling in seconds. They worked great. We continued to the top and spotted a few monkeys on the way.

At the top, the view over the city was breathtaking. Monkeys were everywhere. You could buy a small bag of apple slices for 50 yen (~4 NOK) to feed them from inside a building. I bought one and fed them, they took the food gently. The monkeys roam freely on the mountain; only we were behind fences when feeding them.

📖 About Monkey Mountain: Monkey Park Iwatayama in Arashiyama is home to about 130 Japanese macaques (snow monkeys). They're wild but used to people. Rules are simple: 1) Don't stare into their eyes. 2) Don't touch them. 3) Don't feed them outside the designated hut. 

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Be ready for steep climbs, go at your own pace.

• Bring wet wipes or a handheld fan for the heat.

• Follow the rules, the monkeys are still wild animals.

• If you have low fitness or health challenges, take breaks on the benches.

By the time we came down, I was completely exhausted, hot, sore, and wiped out, but it was worth it! We'd planned to rent a boat afterward, but it was way too hot, so we skipped it.

🏨 Check-In in Osaka

We traveled to Osaka to check in at Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi. I shared a room with Samantha again. The hotel had comfy beds, a shower and bathtub, and a breakfast buffet.
💡 Tip: Hotel rooms in Japan can be small, keep your luggage organized.

🍢 Food Tour in Osaka

In the evening, we joined a food tour with our guide. We tried octopus, fried chicken, fried shrimp, teriyaki, and a pancake-like dish made of vegetables or meat. Dessert was taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry, with fillings like chocolate, sweet potato, or red beans. I wasn't a huge fan of most of the food, but it was still fun to try. We also took photos at the Running Man billboard.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Be open to trying new foods, even if you don't like everything.

• Tell your guide if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.

• Carry cash, many small food stalls don't take cards.

🎤 Karaoke – The Perfect Ending

We ended the day with karaoke! We had a private soundproof room with all-you-can-drink soda or alcohol for two hours. Since we missed the boat ride, we got two hours instead of one. I have no singing voice whatsoever, but it didn't matter, everyone sang and had fun. We chose songs on an iPad, sang into microphones, and laughed non-stop. The last song was Mamma Mia by ABBA, which everyone knew, so we sang and danced before heading back to the hotel.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Karaoke in Japan is for everyone, it's about fun, not talent.

• Pick familiar songs so the whole group can join in.

• Use karaoke as a way to bond, it breaks the ice and creates great memories.

🌟 Summary

A wonderful day with gorgeous photos in the bamboo forest, adorable monkeys on Monkey Mountain, and karaoke as the highlight. The food tour wasn't my favorite, and climbing Monkey Mountain left me exhausted, but it was worth it. I'm so glad I ended up in this group, everyone got along, and there was zero drama, which is how it should be.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Visit Arashiyama early to dodge the crowds.

• Stay hydrated and take breaks, especially in the heat.

• Plan train routes between cities ahead of time, Japanese trains are precise.

• Karaoke is a must-do in Japan, let go of your inhibitions and just sing!