1 day itinerary

Ultimate Guide to Arashiyama and Sagano

The popular areas of Arashiyama and Sagano which beautifully bring together nature and historic landmarks are recommended for an enjoyable walk through the town. Starting from Togetsu-kyo Bridge, take a tour of the famous spots including a monkey park, World Heritage-worthy ancient temples and smaller shrines and temples. Wear comfortable shoes since this will be an all-day course.

Day 1
JR Kyoto Station ( 08:30 AM ~ 08:40 AM )
Togetsu-kyo Bridge ( 09:20 AM ~ 09:30 AM )
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama ( 10:00 AM ~ 10:40 AM )
Keifuku Electric Railroad Co. Arashiyama Station ( 11:00 AM ~ 11:50 AM )
Tenryu-ji Temple ( 12:00 PM ~ 01:00 PM )
Chikurin-no-Komichi ( 01:00 PM ~ 01:20 PM )
Okochi Sanso (Mountain Villa) ( 01:20 PM ~ 02:00 PM )
Jojakko-ji Temple ( 02:20 PM ~ 02:50 PM )
Nison-in Temple ( 03:00 PM ~ 03:30 PM )
Giou-ji Temple ( 03:40 PM ~ 04:10 PM )
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple ( 04:20 PM ~ 05:00 PM )

08:30 AM ~ 08:40 AM   -   JR Kyoto Station

At Kyoto Station, not only Shinkansen bullet trains but other trains, airport buses, express buses and local buses all come and go here. Tourist information can be obtained on the 2nd-floor tourist information center.
There are various ways to reach Arashiyama from Kyoto Station but one easy way is taking the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station because there are no transfers required.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 05:30 AM ~ 11:30 PM )
Address	8-3 Higashishiokoji Takakuracho Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-000-2486
Website	http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

09:20 AM ~ 09:30 AM   -   Togetsu-kyo Bridge

Head from JR Saga-Arashiayama Station to Togetsu-kyo Bridge which is known to be the best place in Arashiyama to take a photo. After taking in the scenery, cross the bridge to go to Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.

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Price	FREE
Address	Ukyoku,Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-213-1717
Website	http://kyoto.travel/en/thingstodo/entertainment/112

10:00 AM ~ 10:40 AM   -   Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

 

At Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, adorable Japanese macaques thrive in a natural setting. From here, you can get a superb commanding view of the city of Kyoto. Please be aware that to reach the monkey park, you will have to go up a hill.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) [close] In case of heavy rain or other inclement weather, the park will be closed
Price	Adults: 550 YEN Child: 250 YEN
Address	8 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-0007 See map
Telephone	075-872-0950
Website	http://www.kmpi.co.jp/

11:00 AM ~ 11:50 AM   -   Keifuku Electric Railroad Co. Arashiyama Station

Head for the area surrounding Arashiyama Station which is popular for the Kimono Forest of pole lamps of Kyoto printed silk and a footbath. There are also many restaurants around the station. An early lunch is suggested in preparation for the tour of the temples from the afternoon.

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Business Hours	1F Station Trains operate from the 5am hour to the 11pm hour Hours of Operation 9am～8pm (late December～late March:10am〜6pm) 2F 11am〜8pm Last order (late December〜late March:11am〜6pm Last order)
Price	Foot bath 200 yen（towel included）
Address	11-1 Saga Tenryuji Kurumamichicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-873-2121
Website	http://randen.keifuku.co.jp/en/index.html

12:00 PM ~ 01:00 PM   -   Tenryu-ji Temple

 

At the World Heritage site, the Zen temple of Tenryu-ji, you can see the 700-year-old garden and the profound architecture. On the ceiling of the Lecture Hall, you can also view the powerful painting of Unryu-zu (Usually open to the public on weekends and holidays but there are periods during the spring and autumn when special openings of the Unryu-zu are available daily. Please refer to the official website for the latest information on those special days.).　
If there is still time, walk over from the North Gate of Tenryu-ji for 3 minutes to reach Nonomiya Shrine. The shrine has been mentioned in one of the masterpieces of Japanese classical literature, “The Tale of Genji”, and is known for being constructed over a holy site. The temple is worshiped for good fortune in matchmaking and children.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM )
Price	Adults: 500 JPY Child: 300 JPY
Address	Tenryū-ji Temple Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-881-1235
Website	http://www.tenryuji.com/en/

01:00 PM ~ 01:20 PM   -   Chikurin-no-Komichi

A landscape symbolizing the Sagano area that was first opened up over a thousand years ago as a villa site for the noble class. You can enjoy a comfortable stroll as you hear the sound of bamboo leaves rustling against each other. Walk through the bamboo forest from Nonomiya Shrine to reach Okochi Sanso.

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Price	FREE
Address	1-13 Tateishicho, Sagatenryuji,Ukyo-ku,Kyoto See map

01:20 PM ~ 02:00 PM   -   Okochi Sanso (Mountain Villa)

Okochi Sanso is the former villa for the period film actor Denjiro Okochi who was active in the early part of the 20th century. You can view the splendid garden that changes throughout the four seasons with the environment of Arashiyama in the background. Matcha tea is served so that you can take a break while admiring the garden.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM )
Price	Adults: 1,000 JPY Child: 500 JPY
Address	8 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-872-2233

02:20 PM ~ 02:50 PM   -   Jojakko-ji Temple

An ancient temple that was built at the beginning of the 17th century with a pagoda that soars up to 12m. Go up the stone steps to reach the temple grounds built on the side of the mountain. Another highlight is the view of Kyoto from the grounds.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM )
Price	Adults: 400 YEN Child: 200 YEN
Address	3 Oguracho, Ogurayama, Saga, Ukyoku, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-861-0435
Website	https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/shritemp/jojakkoji.html

03:00 PM ~ 03:30 PM   -   Nison-in Temple

The majestic main gate was moved from Fushimi Castle to Nison-in Temple. The temple is famous as a site for the fall colors after late November, and once you get past the gate, “The Tunnel of Autumn Leaves” is a famous sight that goes off into the distance.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:30 AM ~ 04:00 PM )
Price	Adults: 500 YEN Child: FREE
Address	27 Saganisonin Monzen Chōjinchō, Ukyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto See map
Telephone	075-861-0687
Website	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nison-in

03:40 PM ~ 04:10 PM   -   Giou-ji Temple

This is a very popular temple with women as a place where tragic love occurred. Although it is a small temple, take a walk through the modest grounds with the plain thatched-roof hut and garden which is covered in soft moss. In the bamboo forest garden, there is a rest area and a shop where you can enjoy a set of matcha tea and Japanese confections. It’s recommended that you take a rest here after touring the temples.

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Business Hours	Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM )
Price	Adults: 300 YEN Child: 100 YEN
Address	32 Kozakacho, Sagatoriimoto, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto See map
Telephone	075-861-3574
Website	http://www.giouji.or.jp/en

04:20 PM ~ 05:00 PM   -   Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Located deep in Sagano, visit this temple that was built on an ancient funeral site. There is the amazing sight of countless stone Buddhist images placed on the Saiin-no-Kawara (Riverbank of the Western Temple). The bamboo forest leading up to the temple is also very popular for its mysterious scenery.
The walk from Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 30 minutes.

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Business Hours	Open: 9am ～ 4:30pm ＊Closes at 3:30pm during the winter season of December, January and February Close: Open every day On special days of religious ceremony, the opening times may change and the temple may even close. If a storm warning is issued for the southern Kyoto area, or on days of heavy snow and frost, the temple will be closed for the sake of safety.
Price	Adults: 500 YEN Child: FREE Junior high school/high school students 400 yen
Address	17 Sagatoriimoto Adashinochō, Ukyō-ku, Kyōto See map
Telephone	075-861-2221
Website	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adashino_Nenbutsu-ji

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