Kyoto stroll | A walking tour of Arashiyama

Today’s stroll in Arashiyama, Kyoto
Kyoto’s Arashiyama is a place with many attractions where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons, but for those who are visiting Arashiyama for the first time, this tour will take you on a compact, efficient, and relaxing walk through the places you want to visit during the autumn foliage season, especially on foot.
Take the Sagano Line from platform 33 of JR Kyoto Station and arrive at Saga-Arashiyama Station in 17 minutes.

Today’s route

A.17 minutes from Kyoto Station, “Sagano Line, Saga Arashiyama Station”
B.Togetsukyo Bridge, a symbol of Arashiyama
C.Tenryuji Temple, where you can enjoy the autumn colors through the shoji screens.
D.Overwhelmed by the sky-covering bamboos, “Bamboo Grove Path”.
E.The only “hair shrine” in Japan for those who suffer from hair problems
F.Jojakkoji Temple, where the green moss and autumn leaves create a stunning natural beauty.
G.A neat red tunnel called “Baba of Autumn Leaves” at Nison-in Temple.

A.Sagano Line, Saga Arashiyama Station

There are many cafes around the station, including a café of the popular outdoor brand “snow peak”.

At the end of the down train tracks of Randen Saga Station, you can see the mountains beginning to change color.

After about five minutes of walking straight from the station, you’ll hit the Katsura River, and when you cross the road, you’ll see the Togetsu Bridge on your right.

B.Togetsukyo Bridge

I went down the bank and went to the riverbank.

The Togetsukyo Bridge is a wooden bridge 155 meters long and 11 meters wide.

In the early Heian period (794-1185), Emperor Kameyama described the moon moving over this bridge as “like a cloudless moon crossing,” hence the name “Togetsukyo.

C.Tenryuji Temple

The head temple of the Tenryuji school of Rinzai sect

Built by Ashikaga Takauji as a memorial to Emperor Go-Daigo

It is also recognized and registered as a World Heritage Site.

Passing by the famous painting of a Dharma statue, we gaze at the garden along the edge that surrounds the main hall.

The Sogenchi Garden, the first garden in Japan to be designated as a national historic site and a special place of scenic beauty, is a pond garden that has been carefully created with the natural scenery of Kameyama as its backdrop.

The beauty of the autumn leaves seen through the shoji screens is unmatched.

D.Bamboo Grove Path

As soon as you pass through the exit, a bamboo grove spreads out on your left.

A small path through the bamboo grove is cool as you step into it.

Enjoying the light shining through the bamboo, you walk up the hill through the bamboo forest.

The bamboo forest is 400 meters long, and the walk will be over in no time.

E.Mikami jinja Shrine

At the end of the road, turn right and walk down the hill with a bamboo grove on your right to the Torokko Arashiyama station.

On your left is the only shrine in Japan dedicated to hair.

You can wander around in peace and quiet, with no cars on the road and only the chirping of birds echoing in the mountains.

F.Jojakkoji Temple

Jojakkoji Temple has the appearance of a mountain temple.

When you pass through the gate, it’s a sight to behold!

The thin leaves of the autumn leaves are glittering in the sunlight.

Combined with the moss that covers the slope, it is a beautiful Japanese autumn.

Climbing the stairs of the quiet mountain temple, you can see the whole town of Sagano from the precincts.

A long flight of stairs leads to the Tahoto (Pagoda of Many Treasures).

G.Nison-in Temple

A quiet path leads to Nison-in Temple

A temple of the Tendai sect with its gate at the foot of Mt.

The temple was built at the request of Emperor Saga.

Nison-in Temple was built at the request of Emperor Saga and is dedicated to two gods, Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha.

Ruins of Shiguretei

Fujiwara no Teika’s villa, said to be the site of the selection of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu

After walking along a dimly lit mountain path for about 100 meters to the left, the front opens up, offering a panoramic view of the city.

There is also the grave of the Tamura family, where famous actors Tsumasaburo Bando and Takahiro Tamura are buried under the beautifully colored autumn leaves.

The approach to the temple, also known as the “Momiji-no-baba” (the stable of autumn leaves), is a tunnel of neatly arranged autumn leaves on both sides of the wide stone pavement.

I walk back to the station through an area lined with stores converted from houses.

After walking for less than 20 minutes, we arrived at the station, Saga Arashiyama Station, and the end of the Arashiyama Sanpo.

Review of the route

Access to Arashiyama

Saga Arashiyama Station : 11-1 Sagatenryu-ji Kurimichi-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 616-8373

Parking around Arashiyama

Stroll in Arashiyama Official Website

The Sagano Torokko Train runs from Arashiyama Station. Please check the official website for advance tickets.
Sagano Line : web site
Tenryuji Temple : web site
Jojakkoji Temple : web site
Nison-in Temple : web site

Recommended around Arashiyama