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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Kyoto
Arashiyama and Sagano	# 10   of 48 sights in Kyoto

Arashiyama is a pleasant, touristy district at the outskirts of Kyoto. Its landmark is the wooden (now partially concrete) Togetsukyo Bridge with forested Mount Arashiyama as backdrop. There are many things to see and do in the Arashiyama area. Tenryuji, a leading Zen temple, shops, cafes and restaurants are found in the district's busy center around Togetsukyo Bridge and Keifuku Arashiyama Station. North of the central area, there are bamboo groves and a residential district with several small temples, scattered along the base of the wooded mountains. The area with its rural feel is best explored on foot, by rental bicycle (around 700 Yen per day) or on a rickshaw (around 8000 Yen for 30 minutes and 2 persons). Another pleasant thing to do is taking a two hour boat tour down Hozu River. The river flows through an idyllic, forested valley before reaching urban Kyoto at the Togetsukyo Bridge. Alternatively, you can enjoy views of the valley from the Sagano Romantic Train. Arashiyama is particularly beautiful and busy during the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Togetsukyo Bridge No closing hours, no admission fees. Literally meaning "Crossing Moon Bridge", Togetsukyo with Mt. Arashiyama as backdrop is the symbol of Arashiyama. Riverside parks provide space for a pleasant break and great cherry blossom viewing in early April. In November, autumn colors are spectacular. Tenryuji Temple Open: 8:30 to 17:30 (until 17:00 from late October through late March) Admission: 500 yen Tenryuji, located in the center of Arashiyama, was built in 1339 and has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples". It is famous for its landscape garden, which unlike the temple buildings has survived in its original form. Bamboo Groves No closing hours, no admission fees. Bamboo groves are found behind Tenryuji Temple and along the trail to the Okochi Sanso. The bamboo is still used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes, mats and pieces of art at workshops in the Arashiyama area. Okochi Sanso Open: 9:00 to 17:00 Admission: 1000 yen (including matcha green tea) Okochi Sanso is a villa complex built by Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962), a Japanese movie star of past decades. The spacious complex consists of several buildings (to be viewed from the outside only) and beautiful gardens with nice views over Kyoto. Small Temples The small temples and Rakushisha are open daily from around 9:00 to around 17:00. Admission is typically about 200 to 400 yen. Several small, atmospheric temples are scattered north of the JR railway tracks along the base of the wooded mountains, including Jojakkoji, Nisonin and Gioji. Also found in the area, Rakushisha is the former residence of Kyorai Mukai, an 18th century poet. Monkey Park Iwatayama Open: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November to mid March), except on days with heavy rain or snow. Admission: 520 yen Wild monkeys, which are living in the wooded mountains of Arashiyama, can be observed at Monkey Park Iwatayama. The park is a steep 15-20 minute walk up the mountain from Togetsukyo Bridge and, besides the monkeys, offers nice views over Kyoto. Hozu River Boat Tours Boats depart hourly between 9:00 and 15:30 (between 10:00 and 14:30 from December to mid March), except from December 29 to January 4. Cost: 3900 Yen per person. The departure pier in Kameoka can be reached either by Sagano Romantic Train (15 minutes by bus from Torokko Kameoka Station) or by JR Sagano Line (10 minute walk from JR Kameoka Station). Boat tours down Hozu River from Kameoka to Arashiyama take roughly two hours, leading through a picturesque canyon and over some rapids. The boats seat about 20 people and are powered by three boatmen with poles and oars. Sagano Romantic Train The one way journey from Torokko Saga Station (same building as JR Saga-Arashiyama Station) to Torokko Kameoka Station takes approximately 25 minutes and costs 600 Yen. The train operates from March 1 to December 29, except on Wednesdays (trains also operate on Wednesdays during spring and summer school holidays, the Golden Week, the autumn leaf season and when a national holiday falls on a Wednesday). The Sagano Romantic Train (Sagano Torokko Ressha) closely follows the course of the Hozu River through the idyllic canyon from Arashiyama to Kameoka. Open cars are used when the weather permits. The train ride is commonly combined with a boat ride down the river.

How to get there

By Japan Railways (JR) The fastest access from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama is provided by the JR Sagano Line (also known as JR Sanin Line). The one way ride from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 15 minutes and costs 230 Yen. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, central Arashiyama can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk. By Keifuku Railways The small trains on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line connect Arashiyama with Omiya Station in central Kyoto (20 minutes, 200 Yen). Omiya Station is located at the intersection of Shijo Street and Omiya Street. Keifuku Railways also provides access to Kitanohakubaicho Station in northern Kyoto, not far from Kinkakuji, Ryoanji and Ninnaji Temples (20-30 minutes, 200 Yen). One transfer of trains is required along the way. Keifuku Arashiyama Station is located in the very center of Arashiyama. By Hankyu Railways From Kawaramachi or Karasuma Station in central Kyoto (Shijo Street), take the Hankyu Main Line to Katsura Station and transfer to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line for Arashiyama. The one way trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 220 Yen. Hankyu Arashiyama Station is located on the opposite side of the river, about a 5-10 minute walk from central Arashiyama. By Bus Bus lines connect Arashiyama with several parts of Kyoto, however, it is recommended to access Arashiyama by train to avoid the risk of getting stuck in traffic jams. How to get to and around Kyoto

News and Reports

Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 26, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Light Up November 25, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Ohara November 22, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 21, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Arashiyama November 19, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Higashiyama November 18, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Kurama November 16, 2009 Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 12, 2009

Travel Community

Popularity of Arashiyama: Users who have been to Kyoto: 2363 Users who have been to Arashiyama: 552 10th of 48 most visited sights in Kyoto. 41st of 591 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Arashiyama? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended Ratings for Arashiyama: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 320 users): 90/100   recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

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Hotel and Ryokan

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Tours and Packages

Kyoto Tours Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings. Kyoto Winter Special 2010 Dine in the company of geisha, uncover hidden cultural artifacts, or stroll through the lights of Arashiyama with these tours. Walking in Sagano Arashiyama Guided half-day tour in the Arashiyama district.

English Links

Sagano Scenic Railway Official English website.

Japanese Links

Iwatayama Monkey Park Official website. Hozugawa Kudari Official website of the operator of Hozo River boat tours. Sagano Torokko Ressha Official website.