What are the best tings to do in Arashiyama, Kyoto? There are more of things besides bamboo forest, Togetsukyo bridge, Iwatayama Monkey park!
Trip to Arashiyama, Kyoto
Arashiyama is located in Sagano area, Kyoto. Arashiyama is a famous travel destination in Kyoto, where people go visit Bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, etc. There are many more things you can enjoy!!
Access From Kyoto To Arashiyama
From Kyoto station to Arashiyama, it’s about 10km away.
There are many ways to get Arashiyama, because there are some of stations (train lines) and bus stops.
| How long | Cost | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 40-50 minutes | 230 yen | Cheap | Slow & Unpredictable |
| Train + Walk | 15 minutes | 240 yen | Simple & Fast | +10 mins walking |
| Train x Train | 30-40 minutes | About 500 yen | No walking needed | 2 kinds of train |
*As of April 2022
Bus : Cheapest
It takes 40-50 mins + more if there is any traffic. This is the cheapest way to get Arashiyama from Kyoto station.
It might be complicated for you to figure out where to go to get a bus and which bus you’d take though.
Train + Walk : Fastest
This is what I did because “time is money on trip” for me!!
Get JR Sagano line / Sanin main line from [JR] Kyoto station to [JR] Saga Arashiyama station. It takes 11 minutes by rapid train, 17 minutes by local train.
And you need to walk for 10 minutes to get the main area of Arashiyama.
Train x Train
If you don’t want to walk but get there a bit faster, you can use some trains which means you need to transfer. I wouldn’t recommend this way unless you are used to train systems.
Metro x Arashiyama Honsen
Get Metro Karasuma Line from [Metro] Kyoto station to Karasuma Oike station (烏丸御池). Then get Tozai line to Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station (太秦天神川). Get Arashiyama honsen Line (it’s not metro) from Tenjingawa Station to Arashiyama station.
Metro x Hankyu Line
Go get Metro Karasuma Line from [Metro] Kyoto station to Shijo station (四条). Walk to Hankyu Line, and get a train from [Hankyu] Karasuma station to Katsura station. Get Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama station.
What To Bring
Jacket / Stall
It feels a bit chilly at bamboo forest since it’s mostly in shadow.
Comfy Shoes
You might walk a lot, even only in bamboo forest. It’s nice to have your comfortable pair of shoes.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
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This might be the first thing coming up on your mind when you hear “Arashiyama”, yes the bamboo forest is what you should check!!
Tips for Visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Here are some tips from me,
- Less people in the morning
- Less people on weekdays
- You can find the spot to take pics if you keep walking
- Enjoy the quietness
- Flat shoes or sneakers are more comfy
- Please DO NOT engrave / scratch bamboos
Nonomiya Jinja Shrine
Nonomiya jinja Shrine was built in Heian period. The name Nonomiya come from a place named Nonomiya to purify the person who was chosen to be a Saiou who works for Ise Jingu Shrine for a year before they go to the shrine. It was held in different location for each person, but it was made here and held here from Jinshinaishinnou who was daugher of The Emperor Saga.
Torii Gate
The Torii gate was made from Quercus acutissima with bark, which is very rare now. And the Torii gate which is made with bark on called “Kuroki no Torii”. It’s the oldest style of Torii Gate,
Kame Ishi – Turtle Stone (Rock)
It is said that if you wish to the Daikokuten, and rub the turtle stone / rock, your wish will be come true within a year. So I did it! Let’s see if it will happen to me or not 😉
- Opening Hours : 9 am – 5 pm
- Entrance : Free
Nonomiya Jinja Shrine – Official site (English)
Tenryu-ji Temple
It was built in 1339 by Takauji Ashikaga to hold a memorial service for The Emperor Godaigo. It cost a lot, and wasn’t enough.. so they decided to restart trading with Gen (Mongolia) which was the first time since the Mongol invasions of Japan, and to use the profit from trading on this temple. It worked well, and finally they could celebrate the completion of the temple in 1345.
It’s pretty big, but it used to be bigger than the current site.
Sogenchi Pond Garden
One of things you should check at Tenryu-ji Temple is Sogenchi Pond Garden.
The beauty of Takiiwagumi is a must check! It is the waterfall (Taki in Japanese) created with rocks (Iwa in Japanese). The Ryumonbaku which shows one of Zen ways of think that you should keep practicing is the first one here. Also each stone in the pond has a meaning, too.
Unryuzu (Dragon)
There is a big painting of dragon on ceiling at lecture hall of a temple. It was drawn by Matazo Kayama as a memorial event. You will feel the dragon looking at you from any angle which is very interesting! 🐲
Cherry Blossom & Maple
In Spring, you’d be attracted to beautiful cherry blossoms there, same as maple in Autumn. Japanese Gardens are usually made to feel seasons.
Tenryu-ji Temple – Official site (English)
Kimono Forest
Kimono Forest is a small exhibition-ish thing around Hannari Hokkori Square at Arashiyama station, designed by Yasumichi Morita. There are 600 poles there, using Kyo Yuzen patterns inside.
- Open 24 hours
- Outdoor
- Free Admission
Togetsukyo Bridge
It’s 155 meters long, it was originally located in different place (100-200 meters upper), and built in 836. In 1606, it got relocated to the current place.
The name “Togetsukyo” means “Across” + “Moon” + “Bridge” by each Kanji. It came from the 90th Emperor of Japan Kameyama’s review when he saw the moon moving upon the bridge.
It is beautiful and now a very iconic tourist place in Arashiyama area.
Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima
You’ll get Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima if you across Togetsukyo Bridge from Arashiyama station area.
There are some cafes, restaurants, etc. and also you can just sit down and enjoy the river view!
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
After crossing Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Togetsu small bridge, there is Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.
There are about 120 monkeys living as wild at park. You need to walk 20 mins including 120 stairs and a hill to get the summit where you can see monkeys. In addition, it’s a good view of Kyoto City!
- Opening hours 9:00～16:00
- Admission : 500 yen / adult (over high school student), 250 yen / kid (4 years old – under High school student)
- Cash Only!
- No pet allowed
- Playground : Available – swings, long slider, etc.
- No parking * use somewhere nearby
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama – Official site (English)
Enjoy Food in Arashiyama
Food is one of things you’ll enjoy 😉
The Best Things To Do in Kyoto
Want to check more of Kyoto? > KYOTO
Arashiyama is a great destination for someone visiting Kyoto, hope you can find the best things to do for you in Arashiyama, Kyoto!
