The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a great spot for pictures for sure. But with the amount of people in that place, it will take some luck, skills, plus lots of patience to get a clear shot. There are too many tourist, so be prepared for that.
Before setting foot upon the tracks leading to the Bamboo Grove, the river bank near the Togetsukyo Bridge is a nice place to just hang around and relax. You'll see kids playing around the river bank, family or friends snacking while seated on the slope next to it, couples sitting on the benches. The thing about Japan is, regardless where you go you will witness many scene that hits you in the feels and stays in your mind.
The village which you will see at the opposite end of the bridge is very vibrant with many shops selling food and Japanese goods. Unknowingly, we spent hours there thanks to the food and shopping. Therefore, it will be best to leave entering the village last since you will reach the other end each of the village once stepping out of the Bamboo Grove anyway.
I've heard of the artist Yayoi Kusama and seen some of her works through social media, when her exhibition ' Yayoi Kusama: My Eternal Soul ' was held in Tokyo. Drawn by the vibrant colours and polka dots, I searched for more information on the exhibition, deciding to go during my trip to Japan. However the exhibition ended weeks before my trip starts.
When I knew the exhibition ' Yayoi Kusama: Life Is The Heart Of A Rainbow ' is being held at National Gallery Singapore, I was so excited as I wouldn't miss her exhibition after all.
I've been to a handful of exhibitions, and this one stays with me most. What's better than 'instagrammable' art works? Art that I can actually understand. Some works, I can tell on first look what the artist Yayoi Kusama is trying to express. But if you were to read the title and description, it gives you a deeper understanding of both the art work and the artist.
Her video installation, ' Song Of A Manhattan Suicide Addict ' is one of the works that left a huge impression on me. It helped me understand Yayoi Kusama more, which made me curious and I ended up researching about her at home. It also helped piece every art work together, which helps me understand better how her art work expresses what is in her mind, and the transition of her works.
