Arashiyama Full Day

The following is a suggested full day itinerary for medium paced travelers through Kyoto's Arashiyama District. The use of a rental bicycle is recommended as distances are considerable (about 10 kilometers). This itinerary can be modified with a few recommended additions.

Start
Start at Arashiyama Station
Walk
10 minutes
Monkey Park
A monkey park in the mountains 90 minutes
The monkey park is 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.
Walk
5 minutes
Togetsukyo Bridge
Arashiyama's most iconic landmark 15 minutes
Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge and spend a few minutes viewing the bridge. Some of the best views are from downstream of the bridge.
Walk
5 minutes
Tenryuji
Arashiyama's most important temple 45 minutes
Explore the expansive garden and rooms at Tenryuji Temple.
Leave Tenryuji through the back entrance
Bamboo Groves
Iconic attraction in Arashiyama 30 minutes
Explore the bamboo groves behind Tenryuji Temple.
Walk
5 minutes
Rent a bicycle at Arashiyama Station
Bicycle
10 minutes
Jojakkoji
Quiet temple known for its fall colors 30 minutes
Explore Jojakkoji. The temple is best in autumn when the leaves change colors.
Bicycle
5 minutes
Gioji
Quiet temple with a moss garden 45 minutes
Gioji is a small, quiet temple known for its maple trees and moss garden.
Bicycle
5 minutes
Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street
Historic street lined by traditional townhouses 45 minutes
Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street is 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.
Bicycle
5 minutes
Otagi Nenbutsuji
Temple famous for its 1200 stone rakan statues 60 minutes
Otagi Nenbutsuji is a temple whose grounds are covered in hundreds of small stone statues.
Bicycle
10 minutes
Daikakuji
A large temple of historical importance 90 minutes
Explore Daikakuji, its buildings, museum and the Osawa Pond. It is one of the best places to feel the ancient court atmosphere and is often used for filming historical dramas.
Bicycle
10 minutes
Finish
Arashiyama Station

Recommended Additions

  • Kyoto Half Day Itineraries
    Although already a full day's itinerary, fast travelers may wish to combine this with our Northern Kyoto itinerary.
  • Nisonin
    Nisonin is another small temple between Jojakkoji and Gioji. This temple has a quiet and understated atmosphere, but turns into a popular autumn color spot in the second half of November.
  • Adashino Nenbutsuji
    Not to be confused with nearby Otagi Nenbutsuji, the Adashino Nenbutsuji is another interesting temple in the area. It has hundreds of stone statues as well as a small bamboo grove.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Hotels around Kyoto

Read our Kyoto Hotel Guide
    • Sponsored
      Arashiyama Hanaikada
      A little, superior ryokan right near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Free transfer from JR station. Private bath and open-air baths available. 5min walk to the Bamboo Groves.
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Budget:
    •
      Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.
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    •
      Ryokan Tori
      Mid-range
      Ryokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.
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    •
      Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)
      Luxury
      Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
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    •
      Mitsuki Kyoto
      Budget-friendly
      Offering a bar and garden view, Mitsuki Kyoto is set in Kyoto, 1.1 km from Nijo Castle and 1.8 km from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. Featuring a garden, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 1.4 km from the city centre and 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a tatami. A fridge and kettle are also featured. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. Kyoto Imperial Palace is 2.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Heian Shrine is 2.3 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.
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    •
      Yado Kiramachi
      Luxury
      Yado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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    •
      Kyo-Anthu Inn
      Mid-range
      Located in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is also a well-fitted kitchenette in some of the units equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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    •
      Hotel Muso
      Mid-range
      Well located in the centre of Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.8 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 2.7 km from Kyoto Station. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room has a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. Popular points of interest near Hotel Muso include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 45 km away.
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    •
      Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano
      Mid-range
      Located in the beautiful Gion area and just a 15-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano is a 4-storey reinforced concrete building. It offers traditional Japanese-style rooms with free WiFi. Rooms on the top floor boasts city views of Kyoto and Higashiyama district. Popular Nishiki Market can be reached within a 20-minute walk. The hotel is 600 metres from Kennin-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Chion-in Temple. JR Kyoto Train Station is about a 10-minute drive away, and Gion-Shijo Train Station is a 10-minute walk. Guests at Gion Sano Kyoto Ryokan sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor and can enjoy the en suite bath. Each room comes with an LCD TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea. Guests can try on yukata robes, while enjoying in-room amenities like bottled water, instant soup, coffee and mini sweets. Special toiletries are provided for both male and female guests. Guests can leave their luggage at the front desk for free before they check in, or request to use a laundry machine and clothes dryer for free. Complimentary fruits and coffee is provided upon arrival. No meals are served.
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    •
      Toshiharu Ryokan
      Luxury
      Built in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.
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    •
      Marufukuro
      Luxury
      Marufukuro features free bikes, fitness centre, a garden and shared lounge in Kyoto. Among the various facilities are a bar, a spa and wellness centre, as well as massage services. The hotel provides a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi is available. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a microwave. Guest rooms include a wardrobe. An American, Asian or vegetarian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Popular points of interest near Marufukuro include Sanjusangen-do Temple, TKP Garden City Kyoto and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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Kyoto Restaurants

Recommended in Kyoto
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      Sushi Hayashi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A unique sushi restaurant that blends traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi with Kyoto-style sushi, such as mackerel sushi and steamed sushi, in its courses. The head chef, who trained as a sushi artisan in Switzerland, carefully selects Swiss wines, making them a perfect pairing to enjoy with the meal.
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    • Noguchi Tsunagu
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chef’s hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.
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    • Kamoryori Tabuchi
      Duck dishes
      Within a historic wooden house over 100 years old, savor exquisite dishes crafted with the finest premium brand duck, Kawachi Duck. Raised on feed free from pesticides and delivered fresh every morning, Kawachi Duck is so fresh it can even be enjoyed raw. Indulge in a superb multi-course duck cuisine experience that only a specialty restaurant can offer.
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    • Enyuan Kobayashi
      Tempura
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - Under the skillful craftsmanship of a master chef trained at renowned establishments, this restaurant offers tempura that highlights seasonal ingredients, including richly sweet tiger prawns and their signature sea urchin wrapped in seaweed. Mid-course, the menu also features exquisite simmered dishes and sashimi.
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    • Sushi Rakumi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - You can savor a creative omakase course that combines refined Japanese cuisine with Edomae sushi, crafted by a highly skilled chef who trained at Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments that have earned three stars. Ingredients are primarily sourced from Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal, high-quality ingredients also procured from Tokyo's Toyosu Market and Yaizu Market in Shizuoka.
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    • Kanamean Nishitomiya
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - Sophisticated kaiseki cuisine experienced at a ryokan. Combining tuna with caviar or pairing soba noodles with truffles, the dishes showcase a creative approach that explores unique combinations and flavors. The only establishment in Kyoto affiliated with Relais & Chateaux, where the owner and proprietress draw on their experiences gained abroad to collaborate with chefs in crafting the menu.
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    • Vena
      Italian
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A restaurant founded by a chef and sommelier born and raised in Kyoto, built on the concept of carefully selected seasonal ingredients and aged Italian wines. In an elegant space adorned with Scandinavian vintage furniture, guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients unique to each time of year.
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    • Torisho Sai
      Yakitori
      A newly spotlighted restaurant opened in 2024, part of the group of Yakitori Ichimatsu, one of Japan's most renowned yakitori establishments. Housed in a stylishly renovated traditional Japanese home, the restaurant serves yakitori made with Akita’s "Hinai Jidori," one of Japan’s top three premium chicken breeds, aged for about three days to enhance its flavor.
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    • Nakatsuka
      Innovative
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A one-of-a-kind restaurant where you can enjoy innovative cuisine crafted by the highly skilled Chef Mr. Nakatsuka, who honed his expertise at domestic and international three-star and two-star establishments. The restaurant is themed around "aroma" and features an open kitchen, designed to share the scents of the cooking process with its guests.
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    • Miyawaki
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      A restaurant with a unique concept of offering traditional Kyoto cuisine in Tokyo, blending authentic techniques with innovative approaches. It is also known for attracting numerous prominent figures from various fields, including renowned Japanese music producers and soccer players.
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Experiences around Kyoto

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      Tea Plantation Tour and Organic Green Tea Tasting in the Birthplace of Japanese Green Tea, Kyoto
      Founded in 1658 in the Kyoto town of Ujitawara – the birthplace of Japanese green tea – the Kaki-i plantation grows tea completely without the use of pesticides. In this experience, visitors can join the 21st generation head of the plantation to tour its fields and see historical sites associated with Soen Nagatani, who first developed the Japanese green tea enjoyed around the world today. If your seasonal timing is right, you can also observe the tea harvest or the processing of the leaf. Finally, enjoy a comparative tasting of 3 to 4 of Kaki-ifs organic teas in a 150-year-old traditional Japanese home, and learn how best to enjoy each.
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    • Sponsored
      Private Stay at World Heritage Site Ninna-ji With Special Tour and Bewitching Light-Up
      Experience Ninna-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep links to the imperial family, like no other through an overnight stay inside the grounds. During a special private tour led by one of its monks, enter some of the oldest surviving temple buildings in all of Japan, such as the Great Hall (a National Treasure), which is normally closed to the public. Then, the grounds are yours for the night - after the sun sets, explore the lit-up grounds and take advantage of the lovingly curated accommodation, a former temple samurai residence (dinner also available as an optional add-on). Finally, refresh yourself by joining the monksf morning service and Dharma sermon, as well as drawing rock patterns.
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      Kiyomizu Ware Pottery Experience at a Century-Old Kiln in Kyoto
      Based in Kyoto, the reputable Shoukoku Kiln, which was established more than 100 years ago, creates exquisite ceramic tableware that high-end ryotei restaurants use for kappo fine-dining cuisine. At this prestigious kiln that preserves tradition while constantly seeking innovation, discover the secrets to long-lasting, high-quality ceramics as you hand-build or paint pottery under the guidance of a skilled artisan who has mastered the art of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki ceramic ware.
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      Learn the Art of Karesansui Dry-Garden Raking from a Kyoto Master
      Kyotofs Sagano-Arashiyama district is an iconic landmark, beloved by visitors from all over Japan and the world for its harmony of rich natural scenery and historic architecture. Here, the cultural property garden restoration and maintenance organization Sone Zoen – responsible for designing and managing the gardens of famous shrines and temples across Kyoto – runs the gHoganh facility, which offers visitors the chance to experience authentic Zen sand raking in a traditional Japanese house and garden. Find inner tranquility as you contemplate the gardenfs beauty, before experiencing the spirit of Zen and the historic tradition of karesansui dry gardening through sand-raking with a master.
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    • Sponsored
      Maiko Tea and Entertainment with Behind-the-Scenes Insights at Kyotofs Oldest Geisha District
      Gain valuable insights into Kyotofs historic geisha culture at Umeno, a traditional ochaya banquet house in Kamishichiken, the oldest of Kyotofs five geisha districts. Although ochaya generally turn away new customers, Umenofs proprietress-to-be invites you to watch a maikofs (apprentice geisha) elegant dance and learn about her culture. Then, chat with them over sweets and matcha tea personally prepared by the maiko. After trying a traditional party game and snapping some pictures, hear about Umenofs sustainable practices and enter the dressing room used by its maiko, an extremely rare chance to go behind the scenes.
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