Final Up to date on tenth April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
One of the crucial magical districts in Kyoto needs to be Arashiyama, 嵐山. A fairytale panorama full of cherry bushes, a forest of bamboo shoots that stretch excessive into the sky and a fascinating villa with a backyard stuffed with breathtaking viewpoints. Right here’s your information to the most effective issues to do in Arashiyama.
The place is Arashiyama?
Arashiyama is a district positioned within the northwestern outskirts of Kyoto. Centred across the Katsura River (often known as the Oi River) and the encompassing Arashiyama Mountains which translate to “Storm Mountains” that function a picturesque backdrop.
Exploring Arashiyama makes for an excellent quick day journey from Kyoto, as there’s a number of sights to maintain you busy for the day and it’s the proper place to discover Japan’s pure panorama away from the hustle and bustle of the town. In actual fact, though it’s thought-about to be a part of Kyoto, this picturesque feels miles away from the large metropolis.
What’s Arashiyama recognized for?
Arashiyama is a district famed for its pure magnificence and is brimming with cultural sights so magical they depart you feeling as if you’re starring in a Studio Ghibli movie. Characterised by its abundance of cherry blossom bushes, which really come to life through the springtime, there’s loads to like about this pocket of Japan.
Arguably essentially the most well-known of its sights is that of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which attracts in hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly. Arashiyama district can be recognized for its picturesque panorama that adjustments colors with every season.
Greatest issues to do in Arashiyama
Bamboo Grove
One of many major causes that many individuals select to go to this district is for its famed Bamboo Grove, generally known as Sagano Bamboo Forest, this enchanting spot covers an space of 16 km2.
The forest is made up of mōsō bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) and is punctuated by numerous winding pathways to wander alongside. The bamboo shoots stretch excessive into the sky, providing a fascinating view when trying upwards (which can be the easiest way to angle your digicam as a way to seize a novel view of the forest).
The very best time to expertise the Bamboo Forest is when rays of daylight leak by dense cover of leaves aboveand twinkle, making a dappled impact on the paths beneath. Bamboo has been grown for hundreds of years in Japan, it’s used as a way to create numerous merchandise, together with baskets and fencing.
Arashiyama Bamboo forest is free to go to and is open 24 hours a day, that means that among the best methods to beat the crowds is by visiting early within the morning (7 AM or 8 AM) and on a weekday. You’ll doubtless solely want an hour because it’s a simple route and the trail goes round in a 1.7 mile loop path.
Tenryruji Temple (天龍寺, Tenryūji)
Typically stated to be one of the crucial lovely temples in Kyoto, the temple was ranked first among the many metropolis’s 5 nice Zen temples and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Based in 1339 by the ruling shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, this spot was devoted to Emperor Go-Daigo (simply after his passing). Though lots of the temple buildings within the complicated had been repeatedly misplaced to fires and rebuilt a number of occasions, the gardens have survived of their authentic kind.
You can too go to the normal Japanese backyard which is tranquil in atmosphere with a stupendous nonetheless pond that’s surrounded by pine bushes and rocks. Within the distance the Arashiyama mountains poke out of the panorama, solely including additional to its serene nature.
Monkey Park
Formally often known as Iwatayama Monkey Park, it’s a business park located on the Arashiyama mountainside the place a troop of over 120 Japanese macaque monkeys reside.
The Japanese macaques, often known as ‘snow monkeys’ are native to Japan. When visiting the park you will note loads of indicators asking that you don’t contact the monkeys, you possibly can feed them however from a distance, however as an indication or respect don’t get too shut or disturb them (they deserve area too).
Opposite to the situation that appears to be listed on Google maps, the Monkey Park is definitely located on the other facet of the Bamboo Groves throughout from the Ōi River.
Ichitani-Munakata-Jinja Shrine
This small Shinto shrine is located on the hillside of Mount Arashiyama and overlooks the Hozu and Katsura rivers, it’s a peaceable spot the place you possibly can actually admire the calm and meditative stillness of the district. The stone steps lead as much as the Monkey Park.
Cherry blossoms
There’s nothing fairly as magical as visiting Japan throughout sakura season. Yearly from late March to early April, bursts of pink and white fluffy blossoms are smattered throughout the panorama, and one place through which it’s notably particular is within the Arashiyama district.
Painted throughout the rolling hills, the cherry blossoms appear like an inviting mattress of soppy clouds, really a surprise! A number of the finest locations to view the cherry blossoms in all their glory are: the hill on the high of Monkey Park, from Togetsukyo Bridge (the place they’re mirrored within the water) and, if you’re up for the stroll, the perspective from the highest of Arashiyama Mountain is solely gorgeous!
In the event you occur to be fortunate sufficient to be visiting Japan throughout sakura season then be sure you, learn our information on the place to search out the finest cherry blossoms in Kyoto.
Togetsukyo Bridge
One of the crucial scenic and enchanting spots of the Arashiyama district is that this majestic picket crossing! Togetsukyo bridge spans a stretch of 155 meters throughout Katsura River proper in entrance of the picturesque Arashiyama Mountain.
Loosely translated, ‘togetsukyo‘ means ‘bridge over the moon’ and it very a lot offers that fairytale vibe upon visiting. A timeless icon for hundreds of years, with its origins relationship again over 1,000 years in the past (the primary components of development had been accomplished in 836). The bridge has been on the centre of inventive imaginative and prescient for poetry, work it has additionally featured in a number of Japanese movies.
Okochi Sanso Villa
Greatest seen through the fall when the entire lovely foliage appears to be like its finest, that is the previous property and residential to the well-known Japanese actor, Okochi Denjiro.
The villa itself is sort of giant. It was constructed within the Thirties on the slopes of Mount Ogura and was opened to the general public in 1962 after Okochi’s demise. From its setting all the way down to the very design and development, it’s apparent how a lot love and thought went into making this spot a house.
Set inside a fairytale panorama, the standout of Okochi Sanso Villa needs to be the gardens. Designed to indicate off all 4 of the seasons, due to its place on the hill there are a number of viewpoint through which to see the change of colors because the 12 months goes by.
Winding paths that meander by, you possibly can go to a viewpoint which overlooks Kyoto metropolis within the distance. Additionally throughout the gardens is a captivating Shinto shrine and a conventional Japanese tea home, the place you may get a cup of Matcha tea with a candy as you absorb the tranquil atmosphere.
The villa is open day by day from 9am-5pm. It needs to be stated, that is definitely one of many extra pricey sights to go to, an grownup ticket is 1,000 yen (price noting, the Matcha tea & candy are included within the ticket value).
Sagano Romantic prepare
Because the title suggests, that is really one of the crucial romantic methods to absorb the pure fantastic thing about Arashiyama. That is particularly price taking if you happen to occur to be visiting within the peak of sakura season or throughout fall.
Established in 1990, the prepare runs on a loop that travels alongside the Hozugawa River and thru the valley. Providing a brief trip with spectacular views, and film excellent moments. It’s advisable to e-book upfront. You may think about reserving a day journey from Kyoto like this one, which additionally consists of a number of different sights to see in addition to this scenic prepare trip.
For extra Kyoto ideas try:
Loved studying about the most effective issues to do in Arashiyama? Pin this text now, learn it once more later:
Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the couch together with her latest knitting undertaking (and Rico her cat!) you’ll find her out and about on lengthy walks. At the moment dwelling within the magical metropolis of Edinburgh, she appears to be like ahead to travelling and seeing extra of the world!