Arashiyama, a famous place in Kyoto. Despite maintaining the vestiges of the mountains, it has prospered as a place for pilgrimage and stays since ancient times, and it has a unique atmosphere where nature and the city harmonize nicely. In the Arashiyama Valley surrounded by rich green mountains, a clear stream flows, and the vermilion Togetsukyo Bridge is beautifully built on the sandbar.
The Togetsukyo Bridge is a representative spot of Arashiyama. Walking across the thick vermilion logs of the bridge feels like walking in the clouds. From the sandbar, you can overlook the town view on the opposite bank of the bridge, and you can't help but be fascinated by its old-fashioned appearance. It's also charming to watch the sunset from the bridge during the twilight hours.
A short walk from the Togetsukyo Bridge brings you to a street where Edo period townhouses are preserved. White-walled townhouses with tiled roofs line the street, and entering the alleyways gives a quiet impression. However, this area is also bustling with tourists, with specialty gourmet food shops and souvenir shops scattered around.
Arashiyama is blessed with abundant nature, and you can enjoy the seasonal scenery throughout the year. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom abundantly, and you can feel the coolness of the fresh green leaves in summer. In autumn, it becomes a famous spot for autumn leaves, and in winter, you can enjoy the view of snow-covered mountains. It is also a tea production area, and experiences such as tea picking and tea making are also popular.
Arashiyama offers many local gourmet foods. There are many famous duck cuisine restaurants, and souvenir shops are lined up near the Togetsukyo Bridge. Among them, the most popular is the Fu Manju, including the Namafu Kanten. Other items such as yuzu products, warabi mochi, and confections made from soba flour are available, allowing you to enjoy the taste of Kyoto.
Arashiyama has many accommodation facilities with a unique atmosphere. You can choose from renovated traditional Kyoto townhouses as guesthouses, luxury ryokan, reasonable hot spring inns, and even campgrounds according to your stay style.
It is about a 15-minute ride on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to the nearest Arashiyama Station. Togetsukyo Bridge is within walking distance. It is relatively easy to access from Kyoto City, and there are many parking lots available.
One-day course: View Togetsukyo Bridge, shopping in townhouses, local gourmet food tour, visit Japanese gardens, sunset viewing Two-day course: On the first day, stroll around Togetsukyo Bridge and townhouses, and on the second day, take a ride on the Sagano Torokko train.