Arashiyama (嵐山) is a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto, and it is often featured in TV programs and magazines that introduce Kyoto,
and many people may already know that Arashiyama is the name of the place, and it is a mountain on the south side of Togetsukyo Bridge(渡月橋).

It is said that it used to be called “Mt. Arasu (荒樔山)” but it became “Arashiyama” because it scatters cherry blossoms and autumn leaves
like a storm from Atago-yama, commonly called Atago-oroshi (愛宕おろし). Not only is it a popular tourist spot for tourists from overseas and Japan,
but it’s also a popular spot that even the local people of Kyoto sometimes want to go. So, this time, I will show you the charm of Arashiyama which is loved by many people!
Arashiyama is located in the Rakusai area of Kyoto, and it was once a place that was loved as a villa area for nobles during the period of Heiankyo.
A good place is a place that’s loved by people of all ages.

The fastest way to get there without changing trains is about 17 minutes by local train from
JR Kyoto Station and about 11 minutes by rapid train, which is the fastest of all ways.
I recommend it because you can go there easily and quickly!

You can also go by bus. From Kyoto station, it takes about 45 minutes
by bus such as number 72, 73, 76 and 77. However, if the bus is crowded, you have to stand all the way to the end ・・・
so it is difficult to ride while standing for a long time, so to be honest, I don’t recommend this method.

There are other ways to transfer, but I will introduce you some.
[Changing trains twice: Subway → Hankyu Train → Randen: It takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour.]
Take the Karasuma Subway Line “Kyoto Station” to Kokusaikaikan ↓
Get off at “Shijo Station” subway station.
↓ Approximately 5 minutes on foot.
↓ Change to Hankyu Railway “Karasuma Station”.
↓ Get off at Hankyu Railway “Saiin”.
↓ Change to Keifuku Electric Railroad (storm electric current) “Saiin”.
↓ Arrived at Keifuku Electric Railroad (storm electric current) “Arashiyama”.

[Changing trains twice: Subway → Hankyu Train: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes]

Take the Karasuma Subway Line “Kyoto Station” to Kokusaikaikan ↓
Get off at “Shijo Station” subway station.
↓ Approximately 5 minutes on foot.
↓ Take the Hankyu Railway “Karasuma Station”.
↓ Change to Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line bound for Arashiyama with ‘Katsura.’
↓ Arrived atHankyu Railway “Arashiyama Station”.

If you go by the above method, it takes time and labor compared to JR, so I recommend JR to go from Kyoto station.
However, Randen is a retro and wonderful train, so I would like to recommend it to tourists.
How about going to Arashiyama quickly by JR and going back leisurely by Randen? Then, let’s take JR from Kyoto station to Arashiyama!
It departs from platforms 32 and 33 of JR Sanin Main Line for Sagano (Sanin) Line bound for Nijo, Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka.

Kyoto Station has the central exit on the north side and the Hachijo exit on the south side. I went from the central exit this time.
There were a lot of tourists on the train and it was very crowded. I was sitting in the opposite seat and an American woman
sitting across from me asked me a lot about Arashiyama, and I arrived at Arashiyama Station in no time!
By the way, I like to go to many places by myself, and I always do things by myself, but when
I go to sightseeing spots in Kyoto, I often get asked by Western women for directions or to take pictures.

The train I took this time arrived at Arashiyama in about 17 minutes by local train.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station to Togetsukyo Bridge, and during that time,
many souvenir shops stand side by side, so it’s fun just to look around. However,
if you go shopping first, you will have to go sightseeing with your luggage, so I recommend you to go shopping at the end.

The video of Togetsukyo is often introduced on TV and in magazines, so you may have seen it on TV.

Arriving at the Wogetsu Bridge!
The image from this angle is a common sight! 
The view from Togetsu-kyo Bridge is here.
When I live in the city, I sometimes want to see and experience nature.
I think this scenery can come anytime. However, when the bridge is crowded, you can not relax and look at it.

The upper stream is called the Ooi River(大堰川) across the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, and the lower stream is called the Katsura River (桂川).
After crossing Togetsukyo Bridge, there is another bridge called Togetsu kobashi(渡月小橋). In Arashiyama, you can enjoy Arashiyama by boat,
Yakatabune, Hozugawa-kudari, and so on!
It is said that nobles in the Heian period enjoyed boating in Arashiyama.

This must go!!
I decided to go right away, but this is recommended for those who are confident in walking, have time or wear comfortable shoes,
but if not, a pass might be better. According to the receptionist, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to the top of the mountain.
It’s better to think about an hour to an hour and a half for a round trip
It’s a great way to get a little exercise while you’re sightseeing!

The admission fee was 550 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. The entrance ticket has cautions about monkeys.

• Don’t stare into the monkey’s eyes.
• Don’t touch the monkeys.
• Not show food

At first, there are quite tight stairs, so it might be a little hard for those who don’t usually exercise.

It will be a little exercise! Although it’s only 20 to 30 minutes, it’s a bit of mountain climbing,
so I think it’s essential to wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers.
If you have shoes with heels or shoes that are difficult to walk in, it is a hell.
After that, this kind of climbing route continues.

Just when I thought we were getting close to top of the mountain… There they are! There he is! A monkey.

They seem to be accustomed to people, so they are completely comfortable even when they are near each other.

There were monkeys that looked like a happy couple.
It was so heartwarming to watch….

Some of the monkeys squeaked and fussed and fought with each other, though.

This is the view from the summit! You can see the whole city of Kyoto. It was a beautiful day and it was very pleasant.

It was worth it to come just to see this view. Well, now that we’ve had our fill, let’s go back down the mountain.
Unlike the ascent, the descent was quick and easy.

I left the monkey park and came back to the original Watagetsu Bridge area.

This day, I came to enjoy Arashiyama from morning to evening, so I didn’t cross the Togetsukyo Bridge at a
leisurely pace. Go for a little stroll in the direction of the hot spring. If you don’t have much time, please skip this one.

There was a temple called “Horinji” a short walk away, so I went there.

I go up the long stairs.
I walked up the stairs and hiked a lot on this day, so my legs are tired. But I’m not bother me so much when it’s fun!

Arrived at the hall of Horinji Temple. I heard that Horin-ji Temple is a temple famous for 13 visits and Hari-kuyo.
The principal image statue of Kokuzo Bosatsu is affectionately known as Saga’s Kokuzo (SAGANOKOKUUZOSAN).

It is also a temple that is worshiped as a guardian deity born in the year of the ox and the tiger.

There are so many shrines and temples in Kyoto, so I think it’s really attractive for people who like it.
Now, I will go back to Togetsukyo Bridge and go to the opposite side.

By the way, if you don’t go back to Togetsukyo direction and go straight towards Horin-ji Temple,
you will find Hankyu Arashiyama Station.

Cross Togetsu-kyo Bridge and take a walk on the other side of the river.
The intersection across Togetsukyo Bridge is always very crowded.

It does not go straight this way, but walks along the riverside. A houseboat and other tasteful scenery, it is good!
I’m convinced that the aristocrats of the Heian period loved this place. In Arashiyama,
you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring and the colored leaves in the fall.

You can also go to Arashiyama Park and the park called Kameyama area from this road. It is a hilly area in the southeastern part of Mount Ogura,
and there is an observatory overlooking Hozukyo! Let’s go!

I walk a lot on this day, but it’s hard to walk this much in a day,
so please don’t push yourself too hard and pick up only the places you think are good.

Compared to Monkey Park, this park was much easier.
You go up all the stairs, there is an observatory. But it is hard the stairs.
The view from the Ogurayama observatory is this one.
I could see the Hozugawa river rafting!

This park is also called “Bamboo Forest Path” (also known as “Arashiyama Bamboo Grove”),
Arashiyama is also famous for its bamboo forest.
When I visited here in the daytime, the setting sun comes through the gaps in the bamboo forest and
the atmosphere in the evening will be completely different. So if you come to Arashiyama, be sure to take the best shot you can!

After passing through the bamboo grove, you come to Nonomiya Shrine (野宮神社),
which is famous for bringing good luck in marriage and childbirth.
This shrine is popular among women who wish for love or good marriage, and many people visit every day.

By the way, Nonomiya Shrine is also the setting of the chapters of The Tale of Genji’s Sakaki Volume,
and it is said that in the Heian period, a princess who was selected as Itsukinomiya (斎宮) purified herself for a year before she went to Ise Shrine.

Next, let’s go to Tenryuji (天龍寺) which is a famous temple after passing the bamboo grove.

Admission fee: Garden (Sogen Pond and Hyakkaen Garden): ￥500 for high school students and above,
￥300 for elementary and junior high school students, no charge for preschool children.

Various halls (Oohojo, Shoin, Tahoden): Additional ￥300 for the amount of visiting the garden

Houdo: “Unryu-zu” Special opening ￥500 per person (Separate from the above ordinary visit fee)

Tenryuji Temple was associated with the Ashikaga shoguns and the Emperor Godaigo,
and is said to have been ranked first among the five mountains of Kyoto. It is a temple of the ancient capital Kyoto.
It is also a historic temple that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto.
There were many visitors on this day as well.

This is the reputedly beautiful fall color of Sogen Pond. It was in early spring and it was very beautiful.
The trees were beautifully manicured and the Japanese culture of wabi-sabi and the beauty of the Japanese garden was very impressive.

After leaving Tenryuji, it’s getting to be a good time, so I’ll take a walk around souvenir shops.
There was a souvenir shop selling a lot of sweets, so I was hesitating,
but I chose a souvenir which was unique to Arashiyama where there was a bamboo grove,
and I bought a bamboo sword for myself on this day.
Takefumi is a health appliance that cuts bamboo in half and steps on it with your feet.
I used it as soon as I got home, and it felt good as I felt the acupressure points were stimulated.

I walked a lot and my legs got tired, but what I saw at that time ・・・
was a dango shop with colorful and cute dango lined up which was very popular among girls and womens!

I bought it too!
When I’m tired, I want to eat something sweet.
Before leaving, take a rest while looking at Togetsukyo Bridge.

I know I’ve written a long story, but the day goes by in a flash when you’re having fun! Now let me summarize about Arashiyama.

Q:What is the recommended way to get to Arashiyama?

1. 1. How to get there from Kyoto Station to JR Sagano (Sanin) Line (Travel time: about 17 minutes by train: about 11 minutes by rapid train)
      On the way back, if you have time to spare, we recommend taking the Arashiyama train.

Q: What are the best places to see in Arashiyama?

1. The Bamboo Forest Path and Watershed Bridge (the best two places to take a photo!)
   If you have time to spare, the trolley train is also recommended.

Q: What are the a best-kept secret spot in Arashiyama?

1. Mt.Ogura Observation Deck in the Kameyama area of Arashiyama Park. Great view of the Hozu Gorge!

This time, we have written some spots that are not well known in Arashiyama, such as Tenryuji, Chikurin no michi, Nonomiya shrine,
etc., but please enjoy Arashiyama as much as you can according to your schedule and physical strength.