Thank you for opening this article. My name is Suzuki.
At Chasanraku, I am in charge of the tea ceremony experience, primarily introducing the tea ceremony and Japanese culture to overseas guests. I also hold a national license as a tour guide, and I strive every day to present Japanese culture in an easy-to-understand and approachable way.
When you think of Arashiyama, you might have the image of it being crowded. News reports during long holidays often cover the crowds at tourist spots, and Arashiyama is always featured. Indeed, many people visit during long holidays and the autumn foliage season.
It is a very attractive place, but for those who want to avoid crowds and enjoy a quiet stroll,Early morning strollThis is recommended. In particular, for visiting major tourist spots,Before the large tour bus arrivesLet's go.
Today, I'd like to introduce some classic and recommended walking routes that I've recently explored myself. I've also included brief descriptions of each spot, focusing on the theme of "enjoying the scenery." I hope this will be helpful for planning your Arashiyama stroll.
I've included lots of photos, so even if you don't have any plans to visit Arashiyama, please enjoy the feeling of strolling around!
*This article was written after a walk on a weekday in mid-September. Increased crowds are expected on weekends, holidays, and during the autumn foliage season. Please note that the actual crowd levels may differ from those shown in the photos.
Recommended walking routes
① JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (7:12) → ② Nonomiya Shrine (7:30) → ③ Bamboo Grove Path (7:40) → ④ Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area) Observation Deck (8:00) → ⑤ Tenryu-ji Temple (8:30) → ⑥ Arashiyama Main Street (9:30)
① JR Saga-Arashiyama Station 🕖 7:12
On this day, I started my walk from the JR train station.
Many people think Arashiyama is far away, but it's surprisingly close to the center of Kyoto city. If you take the JR train departing Kyoto Station at 6:55 AM, you'll arrive at 7:12 AM (weekday schedule | as of September 2026). This train is a local train, but the journey takes 17 minutes. If you take the rapid train, you'll arrive in about 10 minutes.
One of Kyoto's charms is that you can find lush green spaces not far from the city center.
② Nonomiya Shrine 🕖 7:30
First, we'll pay our respects at Nonomiya Shrine, which is famous for matchmaking.
The origins of Nonomiya Shrine date back to the early Heian period (809 AD). It was a place where the Saio, an envoy of the imperial family, purified herself before visiting Ise Grand Shrine. Every October, an event called the "Saigu Procession" is held, which recreates the scene from that time.
Of course, it is also a shrine that has watched over the people who live in Arashiyama and is deeply rooted in the local community.
Kuroki Torii
The famous Kuroki torii gate is characterized by the fact that it uses the bark of the sawtooth oak tree without stripping it. It is said to be the oldest style of torii gate in Japan.
🎋 Enjoy the scenery at Nonomiya Shrine
Nonomiya Shrine has a very beautiful moss garden. Often described as "carpet moss," this moss garden is incredibly fine-grained and truly resembles a carpet. Actually, this garden...Arashiyama miniatureThe slightly raised areas represent Arashiyama and Kameyama, the bridge is Togetsukyo Bridge, and the water, represented by gravel, is the Katsura River. The shrine itself is small enough to be explored in about 10 minutes, but within that limited space, the magnificent scenery of Arashiyama is depicted.
*While you can enter the temple grounds 24 hours a day, the temple office opens at 9:00 AM. If you wish to purchase amulets or other items, please plan your visit accordingly.
③ Bamboo Grove Path 🕖 7:40
When you think of Arashiyama, many people probably picture the bamboo forest. It's a place that attracts many visitors every day. Even at 7 AM, it wasn't deserted; in fact, it seemed surprisingly crowded.
Taken around 7:40
Taken around 8:15
Later than this time, group tours and other groups will be mixed in, making it difficult to walk.
By the way, are you familiar with the phrase "bamboo in autumn"?
Around April, bamboo shoots begin to emerge from the ground in the bamboo groves. After nourishing the bamboo shoots, some of the leaves turn yellow in May, and the withered leaves fall off. This period is known as "bamboo autumn," or "bamboo autumn." In Arashiyama, mid-May is a time of dazzling new greenery, but the bamboo groves take on an autumnal atmosphere.
While May is known as "Autumn of Bamboo," September is called "Spring of Bamboo," and it should be the time when the bamboo is at its greenest...
The bamboo has turned yellowish.
The bamboo grove seemed a little lifeless that day.
It seems that bamboo can turn yellowish when it gets too hot or as it ages. Perhaps this is due to the recent heatwaves? It certainly gives me pause for thought.
🎋Enjoy the scenery of the bamboo forest
That said, it certainly remains a fascinating place.
The feeling of being enveloped by bamboo reaching straight up into the sky, the beautiful sunlight filtering through the trees—it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this mystical atmosphere.
You might be tempted to take pictures, but I recommend closing your eyes for a moment. You might hear the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind, the sounds of birds and insects, and appreciate the refreshing taste of the crisp air.
If you go to a bamboo forest, please doUse all five senses to enjoy the scenery.Please take a look.
④ Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area) Observation Deck 🕗8:00
From Nonomiya Shrine, take the bamboo grove path, and turn left at the end to reach Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area).
This place is beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. There are surprisingly few tourists; it seems more like a place where locals are having picnics.
There are tables and chairs on the way to the observation deck, so let's take a break here.
Original tote bag from Chasanraku Tea Stand
The path to the observation deck is a bit steep, but if you make the effort to climb it, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the gorge.
🎋Enjoy the view from the observation deck.
View from the observation deck
From the observation deck, a breathtaking view of the Hozukyo Gorge unfolds below, reflecting the lush green of the mountains.The rugged beauty of the gorge remains virtually unchanged from the Heian period.That's what I've heard.
During the Heian period, Arashiyama was a resort area for aristocrats. It is said that the scenery of the Hozukyo Gorge was a place where people living in the capital at the time truly appreciated the beauty of nature.
Nowadays, a trolley train runs through the area, and temples and inns have been built, becoming an integral part of the landscape. The man-made structures blend seamlessly into the scenery, further enhancing its beauty.
⑤ Tenryuji Temple 🕗8:30
Tenryu-ji Temple opens a little early, at 8:30.
In addition to the main gate, Tenryu-ji Temple also has a north gate near the bamboo grove path. Entering through the north gate and exiting through the main gate will bring you back to the main street, which is very convenient.
Tenryu-ji Temple was founded in the 14th century by Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. It is a Zen temple founded by Muso Kokushi and is counted as one of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto.
Chasanraku is located about a 3-minute walk from the main gate of Tenryuji Temple, and its address includes the place name "Tenryuji." Until the early Meiji era, the place where Chasanraku is located today was part of the grounds of Tenryuji Temple. It makes us realize once again that we are operating in a place with such a rich history.
🎋 Enjoy the scenery of Tenryu-ji Temple
Tenryu-ji Temple was featured in a JR Tokai commercial some time ago,
"I feel grateful that we were able to complete this by borrowing the scenery from outside. I wrote 'borrowing the scenery,'"borrowed sceneryThe narration, "(Shakkei) Isn't that a great word?", left a strong impression on me. It's a memorable line that conveys the charm of Tenryu-ji Temple in simple words!
As described, Tenryu-ji Temple's "Sogenchi Garden" incorporates not only the garden within the temple grounds but also the scenery of the Arashiyama mountains in the background as part of its design. It is a garden that embodies a uniquely Japanese spirit of "coexisting" with nature rather than conquering it.
⑥ Arashiyama Main Street 🕘9:30
From the main gate of Tenryu-ji Temple, you'll come out onto the main street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Many shops are not yet open at 9:30, but there are some cafes that are open, so it's a good place to take a break. Alternatively, if you walk to the right for about 5 minutes with Tenryu-ji Temple behind you, you can reach Togetsukyo Bridge.
By the way, Chasanraku opens at 11:30, but during peak season, they start taking reservations for the waiting list from 10:45. We've put together instructions on how to use the waiting list system (Airwait) in this article, so if you want to enjoy shaved ice without waiting for a long time, be sure to check it out!
The reason why it has attracted people for so long
It was just a two-hour walk early in the morning, but I was able to fully enjoy Arashiyama. Actually, there was so much more I wanted to write, but I've narrowed it down considerably to this.
Not every scenic spot in Arashiyama is "completely untouched nature." To varying degrees, human intervention has taken place. There are gardens that represent Arashiyama, borrowed-landscape gardens, and bamboo groves that have been meticulously maintained by human hands. It is precisely because these landscapes were created with gratitude and reverence for nature that they have been loved across generations and continue to captivate so many people today.
Please don't shy away from Arashiyama just because it's crowded; we would be delighted if you would come and visit us at least once.