Arashiyama Half Day

Togetsukyo Bridge

The following is a suggested half day walk through Kyoto's Arashiyama District for medium paced travelers. The itinerary can be easily extended to a full day plan with a few additions.
Start
Start at Arashiyama Station
Walk
5 minutes
Tenryuji
Arashiyama's most important temple 45 minutes
Explore the expansive garden and rooms at Tenryuji Temple.
Leave Tenryuji through the back entrance
Bamboo Groves
Iconic attraction in Arashiyama 30 minutes
Walk the paths among the bamboo groves toward Okochi Sanso. Return toward Tenryuji and Arashiyama Station.
Walk
10 minutes
Togetsukyo Bridge
Arashiyama's most iconic landmark 30 minutes
Explore the riverbanks around the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Walk
5 minutes
Monkey Park
A monkey park in the mountains 60 minutes
It takes about 20 minutes to climb the mountain to see the monkeys. The park also offers good views of Kyoto from the top.
Finish

Recommended Additions

  • Kyoto Half Day Itineraries
    This itinerary is easily combined with our Northern Kyoto Half Day itinerary to make a full day plan. Or consider expanding your plans to explore Arashiyama for a full day.
  • Jojakkoji and Nisonin
    Several small temples, such as Jojakkoji and Nisonin, are found in the mountains north of the bamboo groves. These temples have a quiet and understated atmosphere, but turn into spectacular and crowded attractions in autumn when the maple trees change colors.
  • Sagano Scenic Railway
    The Sagano Scenic Railway runs seven kilometers from Arashiyama to nearby Kameoka, mostly alongside the scenic Hozugawa River.
  • Hozugawa River Cruise
    Departing from near the JR Kameoka Station, the Hozu River Boat Tour is a leisurely two hour trip that takes passengers down the winding Hozugawa River to the Togetsukyo Bridge.
  • Toei Uzumasa Eigamura
    Toei Uzumasa Eigamura is a fun, history themed amusement park built on the grounds of the Toei film studios. The park is also used for filming historical dramas and includes a replica of an Edo Period town, a haunted house, filming demonstrations and ninja shows.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Hotels around Kyoto

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    •
      Arashiyama Hanaikada
      A little, superior ryokan right near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Free transfer from JR station. Private bath and open-air baths available. 5min walk to the Bamboo Groves.
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    •
      Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)
      Luxury
      Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
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    •
      Mitsuki Kyoto
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 1.4 km from the centre, Mitsuki Kyoto offers air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 2-star ryokan offers full-day security and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in every unit, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. A bar can be found on-site. Nijo Castle is 1.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
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    •
      Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.
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    •
      Ryokan Tori
      Mid-range
      Ryokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.
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    •
      Guesthouse Engawa
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 600 metres of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and 1.3 km of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Guesthouse Engawa provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kyoto. It is situated 1.7 km from Gion Shijo Station and features luggage storage space. This 2-star guest house offers private entrance. The units in the guest house are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi, while selected rooms come with a balcony. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.1 km from the guest house, while Shoren-in Temple is 1.8 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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    •
      Yado Kiramachi
      Luxury
      Yado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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    •
      Kyo-Anthu Inn
      Mid-range
      Located in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units also have a well-fitted kitchenette equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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    •
      Gallery Nozawa Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Gallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.
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    •
      Guesthouse HANA Nishijin
      Mid-range
      Situated in Kyoto, 300 metres from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and 3 km from the centre, Guesthouse HANA Nishijin features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 3-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and private check-in and check-out. The guest house has family rooms. At the guest house, each unit has a desk. Some accommodation includes a balcony with garden views, a fully equipped kitchenette and a private bathroom with bath. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Kinkaku-ji Temple is 1.6 km from the guest house, while Nijo Castle is 2.5 km from the property. Itami Airport is 48 km away.
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    •
      MIMARU SUITES KYOTO CENTRAL
      Luxury
      Well situated in the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Central is set 1.5 km from Nijo Castle, 1.2 km from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall and 1.8 km from Samurai Kembu Kyoto. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 400 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum, and within less than 1 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Central, every room includes a seating area. Gion Shijo Station is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Shoren-in Temple is 2.8 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.
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