Neighbourhood in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto
Arashiyama
嵐山
Kyoto's western edge, where the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji temple and the Togetsukyo Bridge sit below forested hills along the river.
- places to see
- 10
- walk past the highlights
- 2.7 km
- Kyoto
- Ukyo Ward, Kyoto
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, named after the wooded mountain across the river. The whole area is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty. Most visits link Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove and the Togetsukyo Bridge, then wander north through the quieter Sagano temples.
Across the bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park has more than 170 wild monkeys on a hilltop with views over the city. Three railways reach the area: the Randen tram from central Kyoto, the Hankyu line via Katsura and JR to Saga-Arashiyama. See our Ukyo guide for more of the ward.
Don't miss in Arashiyama
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Tenryu-ji Temple
天龍寺Zen temple and World Heritage Site with a pond garden framed by the hills. Its north gate opens straight onto the bamboo grove.
Photo: osakaosaka (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
2. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
竹林の小径The famous bamboo path. Come before 8 am if you want photos without crowds.
Photo: Naokijp (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)3. Togetsukyo Bridge
渡月橋The long bridge over the river, Arashiyama's postcard view with the mountain behind it.
4. Nonomiya Shrine
野宮神社Small shrine in the bamboo with a torii of unpeeled wood, visited for luck in love.
Photo: nnh (opens in a new tab), public domain, from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
5. Okochi Sanso
大河内山荘Hillside villa and garden of film actor Denjiro Okochi, at the top of the bamboo path.
Photo: 663highland (opens in a new tab), CC BY 2.5 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
6. Jojakko-ji Temple
常寂光寺Mossy temple on the slope behind the bamboo grove, at its best when the maples turn in November.
Photo: 663highland (opens in a new tab), CC BY 2.5 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Walk Arashiyama in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 2.7 km in all.
Stop 1
Tenryu-ji Temple
Start here
Stop 2
Nonomiya Shrine
4 min walk
Stop 3
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
4 min walk
Stop 4
Okochi Sanso
4 min walk
Stop 5
Jojakko-ji Temple
5 min walk
Stop 6
Togetsukyo Bridge
19 min walk
More around Arashiyama
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Fukuda Art Museum
福田美術館A museum in Kyoto, Japan.
Oi Shrine
大井神社A Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
Diorama Kyoto Japan
ジオラマ・京都・JAPANA museum in Kyoto, Japan.
Gio-ji
祇王寺A Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Arashiyama on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
How long do I need in Arashiyama?
Half a day covers Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove and the bridge. A full day lets you add the monkey park and the Sagano temples.
Is the bamboo grove free?
Yes, the bamboo path itself is free and open at all hours. Tenryu-ji's garden and Okochi Sanso charge entry.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
More areas in Kyoto
- PontochoA narrow lantern-lit alley of restaurants and teahouses beside the Kamo River, a few minutes from Nishiki Market and the Teramachi arcades.
- GionKyoto's best-known geisha district, with wooden teahouses along Hanamikoji, the Shirakawa canal and Yasaka Shrine at the top of Shijo-dori.
- Kiyomizu and SannenzakaKyoto's most visited temple on its hillside stage, reached by stone-paved lanes of old wooden shops and the Yasaka Pagoda.
- OkazakiKyoto's cultural quarter around Heian Shrine's giant torii, with art museums, the zoo, villa gardens and the great Zen temple of Nanzen-ji.
- Fushimi InariThe head shrine of Inari at the foot of a sacred mountain, with thousands of red torii gates forming tunnels up the trails.
