Arrive in Arashiyama and head to the monkey park on the south of the Togetsukyo Bridge. It takes about 20 minutes to climb the mountain to see the monkeys, and there are good views of Kyoto from the top.

Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge and spend a few minutes viewing the bridge. Some of the best views are from downstream of the bridge.

Explore Tenryuji Temple.

From Tenryuji walk to Arashiyama Station and rent a bicycle. Then, head into the bamboo groves behind Tenryuji Temple. Turn right as you get to the entrance of Okochi Sanso and continue toward Jojakkoji.

Explore Jojakkoji. The temple is best in autumn when the leaves change colors.

After visiting Jojakkoji, continue north and stop off at Gioji, a small, quiet temple known for its maple trees and moss garden.

Continue along the main road until you get to Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, a historic street lined by traditional townhouses (machiya). Explore the shops and restaurants along the way. This may be a good place to have lunch.

Follow the road past the preserved streets to Otagi Nenbutsuji, a temple whose grounds are covered in hundreds of small stone statues.

From the exit of Otagi Nenbutsuji, cross over to the larger, two lane road that parallels the road you arrived on. One block before the first traffic light, veer left and head through the rice fields and residential neighborhoods toward Daikakuji. Explore Daikakuji.