Neighbourhood · Kyoto

Arashiyama and Sagano: what to see and do

嵐山・嵯峨野

The riverside and hillside district on Kyoto's western edge around Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove. It suits travellers who want quiet evenings and early access to Arashiyama's sights, and who accept long trips to the rest of the city.

19 places Arashiyama, 2 min walkSaga-Arashiyama, 8 min walk 30 min to Kyoto Station

The walking path through the tall green stalks of the Arashiyama bamboo grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove · Photo: dconvertini / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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Sights

  1. Nature

    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 嵯峨野竹林の小径

    Paths through dense bamboo groves between Tenryu-ji's north gate and Okochi Sanso, in the Sagano area of Arashiyama.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 30 min

  2. Temple

    Tenryu-ji 天龍寺

    Founded in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji and ranked first among Kyoto's five great Zen temples.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  3. Landmark

    Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋

    Arashiyama's central landmark over the Katsura river, first built in the Heian period and last reconstructed in the 1930s, with forested mountains behind.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 20 min

  4. Garden

    Okochi Sanso 大河内山荘

    The former villa and gardens of film actor Okochi Denjiro (1896 to 1962), at the far end of the bamboo grove, with several gardens, living quarters and teahouses.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  5. Temple

    Gio-ji 祇王寺

    A small temple in the Sagano hills known for its moss garden punctuated with maple trees, a thatched entrance gate and a thatched main hall with a round window.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 25 min walk · Paid entry · 30 min

  6. Nature

    Iwatayama Monkey Park 嵐山モンキーパークいわたやま

    A park on the Arashiyama mountainside where dozens of Japanese macaques roam freely, with views down over the city.

    Arashiyama (Hankyu Arashiyama Line), 8 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  7. Landmark

    Sagano Scenic Railway 嵯峨野観光鉄道

    A sightseeing train running 7 km from Torokko Saga Station, next to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, to Torokko Kameoka along the Hozu river gorge in about 25 minutes.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 1 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h 30 min

  8. Temple

    Jojakko-ji 常寂光寺

    A hillside temple founded in 1596 north of the bamboo grove, with paths and steps through maples and moss and views over Kyoto from several points.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  9. Shrine

    Nonomiya Shrine 野宮神社

    A small shrine on the bamboo grove path, marked by a black torii made in the style of unstripped timber.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 15 min

  10. Temple

    Adashino Nenbutsu-ji 化野念仏寺

    A Jodo sect temple at the top of the Saga-Toriimoto street, on ground used for burials since the Heian period.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 29 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  11. Temple

    Otagi Nenbutsu-ji 愛宕念仏寺

    A temple on the wooded slope beyond Saga-Toriimoto, covered with about 1,200 stone rakan statues, each with a different expression, carved by novice sculptors during a decade of restoration from 1981.

    Otagidera-mae bus stop (Kyoto Bus 94), 1 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  12. Street

    Saga-Toriimoto preserved street 嵯峨鳥居本

    A village street in the far north-west of Arashiyama that grew as a stop for pilgrims to Atago Shrine, lined with townhouses and thatched farmhouses from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 26 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

  13. Temple

    Daikaku-ji 大覚寺

    A former villa of Emperor Saga, converted into a temple in 876 and long headed by members of the imperial family.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  14. Temple

    Nison-in 二尊院

    A Tendai temple founded in the mid 9th century on the hillside north of the bamboo grove, with large halls looking out over the city.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 19 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  15. Temple

    Seiryo-ji (Saga Shakado) 清凉寺（嵯峨釈迦堂）

    A temple in Saga dating from the Heian period, known as Saga Shakado after its principal image, a standing Shaka Buddha designated a National Treasure.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 14 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  16. Viewpoint

    Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area) viewpoint 嵐山公園 亀山地区

    A hillside park at the end of the bamboo grove path, past Okochi Sanso, with an observation deck about 40 m above the river looking up the Hozu gorge and across to Senko-ji on the far bank.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 10 min walk · Free entry · 30 min

  17. Landmark

    Kimono Forest キモノフォレスト

    An installation of about 600 clear pillars wrapped in Kyo-yuzen dyed kimono fabric, set up in 2013 around the platforms and paths of the Randen Arashiyama Station.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 1 min walk · Free entry · 15 min

  18. Shrine

    Matsuo Taisha 松尾大社

    One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, founded in 701 at the foot of Mount Matsuo south of Arashiyama.

    Matsuo-taisha (Hankyu Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

Food, drink and markets

  1. Food

    Arashiyama Yoshimura 嵐山よしむら

    A handmade soba restaurant at the north end of Togetsukyo Bridge with 50 seats, many facing the Oi river and the bridge.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 4 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

Getting there

  • Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 2 min walk
  • Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 8 min walk
  • Arashiyama (Hankyu Arashiyama Line), 10 min walk
Kyoto Station
30 min
Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing
40 min
Yasaka Shrine (Gion)
45 min

Travel time (public transport)

For visitors

  • The bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji and Togetsukyo Bridge can be seen before the day crowds arrive
  • Rural temples in Sagano and the Sagano Scenic Railway nearby
  • Quiet in the evening after day visitors leave
  • Around 30 to 45 minutes from Kyoto Station, downtown and Gion
  • Few restaurants open in the evening
  • Very crowded by day in the cherry blossom and autumn seasons

Nearby areas

Staying here

Hotels in Arashiyama and Sagano had a median rate of US$239 per night in the latest weekly sample. Ryokan, including high-end riverside inns, plus a few guesthouses and rental houses; few chain business hotels.

Where to stay in Arashiyama and Sagano: stations, pros and cons, hotel types

Prices and availability come from the booking sites and can change.

Sources · Verified 24 September 2026