Arashiyama Travel Guide

This guide is for travelers seeking bamboo groves and scenic riverside walks. It answers: “What to do in Arashiyama?”

Quick Facts

Best for: Nature lovers, photographers, zen seekers
Time needed: Half day to full day
Access: JR Saga-Arashiyama or Hankyu Arashiyama Station
Area type: Scenic district with temples

Overview

Arashiyama Travel Guide - Image 2 — Photo by Yasumichi Morita (designer)

Basile Morin (photographer) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Arashiyama is a scenic district on Kyoto’s western outskirts. Famous for the bamboo grove, the area also offers temples, a scenic river, and the Togetsu-kyo Bridge with mountain backdrop.

Top Attractions

Bamboo Grove

The towering bamboo path north of Tenryu-ji is Kyoto’s most photographed spot. Visit early morning (before 8am) for fewer crowds.

Tenryu-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage zen temple with a stunning garden. The garden alone is worth the visit.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Iconic bridge over the Oi River. Rent a rowboat or stroll along the riverbank. Beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in autumn.

Monkey Park Iwatayama

Hike 20 minutes for wild monkeys and panoramic Kyoto views. Feed monkeys from inside an enclosed area.

Wild Japanese macaque monkeys on a mountain overlooking Kyoto city at Iwatayama Monkey Park — Iwatayama Monkey Park — Photo by Helito / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Tips

Timing: Arrive before 9am to enjoy bamboo grove without crowds.
Combine with: Kinkaku-ji on the same day (bus connection).

Getting There

From Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Recommended (Premium): Take the 🔵 JR Haruka Limited Express from Terminal 1 directly to Kyoto Station in approximately 75 minutes. From Kyoto Station, transfer to the JR Sagano Line (San-in Main Line) to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approximately 15 minutes). Budget: Airport buses serve both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, connecting to Kyoto Station in approximately 85–100 minutes. Terminal 2 passengers utilizing trains must first take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1.

From Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)

Recommended (Mid-range): Take the Airport Limousine Bus to Kyoto Station (Hachijo Exit) in approximately 50–55 minutes. From there, transfer to the JR Sagano Line to reach Arashiyama. This is the most convenient option for travelers with luggage. Budget: Take the Osaka Monorail to Hotarugaike, then transfer to the 🟤 Hankyu Line (Takarazuka and Kyoto Lines via Juso/Katsura) to Arashiyama, taking approximately 60–70 minutes with multiple transfers.

From Major Stations

From Kyoto Station: Take the JR Sagano Line (usually platforms 31–33) to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approximately 15 minutes). This is significantly faster than city buses, which are often delayed by traffic.
From Osaka-Umeda Station: Take the 🟤 Hankyu Line (Kyoto Line) to Katsura Station, then transfer to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Station (approximately 40–50 minutes total).
From Shijo-Omiya (Central Kyoto): Take the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad) tram line directly to Arashiyama Station (approximately 20–25 minutes).

Local Access

Arashiyama is served by three distinct stations: JR Saga-Arashiyama (closest to the Bamboo Grove), 🟤 Hankyu Arashiyama (south of the river, near the Monkey Park), and Randen Arashiyama (center of the main shopping street). Walking between these stations takes approximately 10–20 minutes. IC cards such as ICOCA, Suica, and PASMO are accepted on all trains and buses in the area.

Sources

Tourism board: Kyoto Tourism

Last updated: 2026-02-03