Arashiyama is a must-see spot for anyone who wants to experience Japan's beautiful autumn foliage. The peak foliage usually hits around mid-November and lasts until mid-December. I visited in early December, and even though it was nearing the end of autumn, but I was still amazed by the beautiful scenery.
While Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, also known as the Sagano Bamboo Forest, is a big attraction, there’s so much more to discover in the area. In this post, I will share some of the sights and activities you can enjoy as you explore Arashiyama.
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| Arashiyama, Kyoto |
How to get to Arashiyama?
Dobutsuen-mae Station (Midosuji Line):- Take the Midosuji Line towards Senri-Chuo.
- Get off at Umeda Station.
- From Umeda Station, follow the signs to Hankyu Umeda Station, which is connected via underground passages.
Hankyu Umeda Station:
- Take the Hankyu Kyoto Line towards Kyoto-Kawaramachi.
- Get off at Katsura Station.
At Katsura Station:
- Transfer to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
- Take the Hankyu Arashiyama Line directly to Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
The journey from Osaka to Arashiyama took approximately 1.5 hours. You can also use Google maps to help navigate your journey.
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Katsura station |
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| Arrived at Hankyu Arashiyama station |
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| Hankyu Arashiyama station |
After reaching the station, I immediately noticed the cooler temperature compared to Osaka. Stepping outside, I was greeted by a beautiful sight where the leaves were adorned in shades of gold, orange, and red, so beautiful.  |
| The view was unreal!😍 |
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| Arashiyama Mountain in the background was breathtaking |
Togetsukyo bridge
A short ten-minute walk from Arashiyama Station brought me to the Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as Moon Crossing Bridge. This famous landmark spans the Hozugawa River and offers a stunning view of the Arashiyama mountains.
The bridge has been around for ages and according to what I read, the bridge was originally built in the 9th century and rebuilt a few times since then. The version we see today was completed in 1934, which I found pretty amazing.
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Togeksukyo bridge | | Look at the water, crystal clear and tempting!😩 |
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| Hozugawa river |
Arashiyama city
After crossing the bridge, I continued exploring Arashiyama city. Even in the early morning, the streets were already packed with both tourists and locals. The sidewalks were lined with cute little shops, and their displays tempted me to peek inside.
And oh, the souvenir shops! They were everywhere, begging me to grab a piece of Arashiyama to remember my trip. But I had to hold back and do a bit of price comparison first, haha. Keepsake at the best price! 😏
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They even sold cucumbers!😱
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| The famous rickshaw ride |
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| Locals dressed in Kimono |
Matcha mochi
On my way to the Bamboo Groves, my tour guide pointed out this cute little spot for matcha mochi. She insisted it was a must-try, and honestly, the smell of fresh matcha was so tempting it dragged me into the shop! I mean, who could resist a delicious matcha treat?
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| Matcha mochi shop |
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| The chewy mochi with the rich, slightly bitter matcha flavor was yummy! |
Arashiyama bamboo groves
After a long walk, I finally arrived at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It’s a really popular spot, so it can get pretty crowded, but the tall bamboo trees still make it feel calm and peaceful. Even though you might have to make your way through groups of people, the beautiful scenery is totally worth it!
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| The entrance of Arashiyama Bamboo Groves |
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| Just look at how massive those bamboo stalks were! |
Tenryu-ji Temple
Besides the natural beauty in Arashiyama, there’s a rich culture and history to soak in. One of its treasures, Tenryu-ji Temple, is a symbol of Kyoto's heritage and holds the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you have the time, I highly recommend visiting Tenryu-ji and its beautiful garden. Unfortunately, I had to rush off to catch a train to Kiyomizudera, so I missed out on exploring the garden myself.
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| The entrance of Tenryu-Ji temple |
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| Tenryu-Ji temple |
Yosiya, Arashiyama
Before heading back to the train station, I stopped by Yosiya Restaurant, just a short walk from Arashiyama Hankyu Station. The scenery was made even more beautiful by the autumn trees all around.
Now, I will be honest, the food might stretch your budget a little, but it’s worth every single yen. Plus, they have a prayer room for Muslim guests, so you can dine and relax with peace of mind.
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| Yosiya, Arashiyama |
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| Comforting and delicious foods! |
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| The view around the restaurant was absolutely stunning 😻 |
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