Last updated on April 27th, 2024

Planning on visit Arashiyama in Kyoto? Read on our walking guide with Arashiyama itinerary with top things to do listed for half day trip to Arashiyama during cherry blossom.

Arashiyama (嵐山) is one of the popular sightseeing places in Kyoto. It is famous for its beautiful scenery, well-preserved ancient buildings, and sightseeing experience. No doubt, there are many things to see and do in Arashiyama. All the must-visit attraction is ideal to put into one-day itinerary from Kyoto. However, if you only have limited time, Arashiyama is a good place for a half-day trip to explore its natural beauty.

Arashiyama also rated as one of the best spots for March/April cherry blossom and November fall foliage in the Kyoto district. We visited Arashiyama during early April in the cherry blossom season. It is so amazing with sakura in full bloom.

Read on how we plan on our half-day Arashiyama itinerary from Kyoto.

How To Get To Arashiyama

First of all, Arashiyama is located slightly far distance with seven kilometers away from downtown Kyoto. However, it is pretty easy to get to Arashiyama from Osaka and Kyoto by train or bus. The train is a better option as you may get struct in the traffic by bus.

From Kyoto to Arashiyama by train or bus.

• By JR train: Take the JR Sagano train to JR Arashiyama station from Kyoto. The 15 minutes train journey will cost about ¥240.
• By Sagano Scenic Railway: From JR Umahori and transfer to Kameoka Torokko station. Next, take the Sagano Torokko to Arashiyama with a scenic train ride.
• By Bus: From Kyoto station and take the Kyoto City Bus (#28) and get off at Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae.

From Osaka to Arashiyama is also doable by train. There are few train operators connected between Kyoto and Osaka such as JR, Hankyu, or Keihan Main Line. It depends on where is your departure from Osaka or arrival stop in Kyoto.

• By JR train: Take the JR train from Osaka to JR Kyoto station, then transfer to JR Saga-Arashiyama station.
• By Hankyu train: Take the train to Katsura Station, and then transfer to Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Station.

Arashiyama Itinerary

When you are getting to Arashiyama, all the attractions are accessible by walking. There are many things to do on a sightseeing trip to Arashiyama. The whole visit can be finished by one day or a half-day trip within four to six hours.

Here is my walking route on Arashiyama itinerary for things to do in one-day:

• Ride on Sagano scenic railway (1 – 2 hours)
• Leisure walk in the bamboo grove – Must visit spot in Arashiyama (1 hour)
• Pray on Nonomiya Shrine (30 minutes)
• Visit World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple (1 hour)
• Have Some Snack at Food Street (30 minutes)
• Try the traditional Kyoto yudofu (30 minutes) 
• Cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge (30 minutes)
• Hozugawa River Boat Ride (1 -2 hours)

1. Ride on Sagano Scenic Railway

The scenery train ride on Sagano Railway is one of the popular activities in Arashiyama. Enjoy the beautiful countryside mountain view with nostalgic trains along the Hozugawa River.

This scenic train takes around 25 minutes for a single ride from Kameoka to Saga Torokko station. However, you can choose to take off at Arashiyama Torokko station which located nearby the bamboo forest. It is a great stop to proceed for our next stop in Arashiyama’s visit.

Read more: Ride on Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway

Very popular and you need to get your ticket before boarding the train.

• Getting there: Take JR train from JR Kyoto Station to JR Umahori station. Next, board the Sagano Scenic Train at Kameoka Torokko station for scenery ride.
• Train fare: 620 yen, 25 minutes

2. Leisure Walk in Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama bamboo grove or bamboo forest is another must-see in Arashiyama, Kyoto. It is also one of the top sights where you can discover the refreshing natural beauty.

From Arashiyama Torokko station, take a short walk will lead you to the bamboo grove. Word couldn’t describe our excitement as these places have been in our travel bucket list for so long. It is a leisure walk with soaring stalks bamboo aside along the path. Sadly that it is very much touristy very many people surrounded. Probably it’s better to come here in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowd for a peaceful visit. Worth visiting when visit Arashiyama.

Besides, you may also take advantage of the Arashiyama rickshaw tour. This tricycle experience tour will bring you through the bamboo forest and few best sight in the forest. A great option for those who want to save some walking energy.

• Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Arashiyama Torokko station.
• Entrance fee: Free

3. Pray at Nonomiya Shrine

The Nonomiya Shrine (野宮神社) is a small Shinto shrine located in the Arashiyama bamboo grove. It is dedicated to the Sun Goddess and to the deity of fire. Locals and visitors, especially for single ladies, are coming to Nonomiya Shrine to seek for purity and pray for love.

Not too big but worth taking a look when passing by. It was beautiful as it located in the forest surrounded by trees and bamboo. A brief stop when you are in the bamboo forest.

• Getting there: located inside the bamboo forest.
• Entrance fee: Free

4. Visit World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is one of the important temples in Kyoto. It is a famous Zen temple and now registered as a world heritage site.

The most beautiful part of Tenryu-ji Temple is the finest garden inside with a tranquil atmosphere. It features a is a beautiful pond surrounded by pine trees, rocks and mountain view of Arashiyama. The view is very beautiful, especially in sakura or autumn foliage season.

• Getting there: less than 10 minutes walk from Nonomiya Shrine
• Opening Hours: 8:30 to 17:00-17:30
• Entrance fee: ¥500 (additional ¥300 to temple buildings)

5. Have Some Snack at Food Street

From Tenryu-ji Temple to the Togetsukyo bridge, there are a lot of restaurants along the roadside. Take a stroll along the street and choose what to eat in Arashiyama. From a Western cafe, Japanese restaurants or small shops are all available on the main street.

Added, there are also many Japanese local street snacks to try along the way. Take the opportunity to grab some snacks and refreshments.

• Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Tenryuji Temple

6. Try the traditional Kyoto yudofu

Kyoto is the place in Japan to eat yudofu. There are many places to try this specialty in Kyoto.

If you want to have a great tofu dining experience in Arashiyama, you should try Yudofu Sagano! This restaurant is famous for tofu dishes in Arasihayama. Your food journey will be pleased not only through your taste buds but also through your eyes, as the restaurants are located in the beautiful gardens. The Yudofu course meals are generally available from 3,000 yen up to 4,000 yen depending on the number of items in the meals.

Another worth recommendation is the Yudofu Chaya Sagatofu Sanchu. This cabin kiosk offers some quick snacks, noodles dishes, and yudofu at a decent price. This may be a perfect stop on your way when visiting Arashiyama.

7. Cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge

Walk along the main street of Arashiyama toward the riverside. The Togetsu-kyo Bridge is another iconic landmark in Arashiyama. It is a well-known symbol of Arashiyama which spans across Katsura Rivers for more than 1000 years.

It was so beautiful with cherry trees along the river. Locals were picnic at the riverside park which adjacent to the Togetsu-kyo Bridge.

Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Tenryuji Temple

8. Hozugawa River Boat Ride

If you are interested, you may consider to include the Hozugawa River Boat Ride in your Arashiyama itinerary. The boat will be rowing at the Hozugawa river with beautiful scenery along the journey. It one of the best ways to embrace the greatness of mother nature in Arashiyama.

Unfortunately, we did not know about this boat ride before our Arashiyama trip. And only get to know this amazing experience when we take the Sagano train. Hopefully, we have a chance to come back for the boat ride.

Anyway, this 1 to 2 hours Hozugawa River Boat ride is not cheap. But worth for the best view especially during cherry blossom or autumn foliage.

• Getting there: Purchase your boat package at the ticket counter (train station). Get to boarding point which required 5 minutes walk from Kameoka station. 
• Boat Fare: ¥4,100
• Official website: https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/en

Where To Stay? Kyoto Or Arashiyama

Arashiyama is very ideal for a day trip from Kyoto with well-connected transportation. But, it is great to stay overnight to enjoy beauty peacefully when all the day-tripper leaving. If you want to stay overnight in Arashiyama, we highly recommend you to stay overnight in a traditional ryokan there.

Rangetsu, Suiran Hotel, and Arashiyama Benkei are the best finest ryokan in Arashiyama. All are perfect traditional ryokan that made you feel like your own Japanese home with onsen facilities. A great place for your perfect stay in Arashiyama who want to be based here. Friendly reminder that limited rooms are available for ryokan. Reserve your rooms as earlier as possible to avoid disappointment.

Arashiyama Itinerary Tips

Half Day Trip To Arashiyama

All in all, we enjoy our half-day trip to Arashiyama. All the must-visit attraction was included in my walking itinerary. It is a leisure trip and a great retreat outside of Kyoto city. Even if you only have half-day in Arashiyama, you still can manage to accomplish most of them.

However, if you have time for one day in Arashiyama, we highly recommended go for the Hozugawa River Boat ride and enjoy nature along the river. There are still many places like Jojakukoji Temple, Gioji temple, Hogonin, monkey park to visit in Arashiyama. In short, Arashiyama worth for allocating more time for exploring. If you are interested, continue to read on my related travel blog on Kansai itinerary planning.

How to Plan Your 7 Days Kansai Japan itinerary

Osaka itinerary:

• Things to do in Osaka: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
• Osaka Amazing Pass itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Osaka Food Guide: Top 8 Unique Food To Eat in Osaka
• Where to Stay in Osaka: Namba or Umeda

Kyoto itinerary: 

• 15 Things To Do and Eat for 3 Days in Kyoto
• Where to Stay in Kyoto + Itinerary Guide
• Ride On Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway
• Half Day Trip To Arashiyama
• Trip To Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion
• Kiyomizudera Itinerary with Walking Guide
• Nishiki Market Travel Guide: What To Eat and Buy
• [Cherry Blossom in Kyoto] Philosopher’s Walk

Best Day trip from Kyoto or Osaka

• Nara Itinerary: Perfect Day Trip From Osaka & Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Complete Travel Guide
• Uji Itinerary: Best Day Trip From Kyoto

How to travel to Osaka, Kyoto & Nara:

• The Best Kansai Train Pass: Budget Guide & Transport Tips
• Kansai Airport to Osaka with Cheapest Transportation
• How To Get To Kyoto From Kansai Airport, Osaka & Tokyo
• From Tokyo To Kyoto: Cheapest Or Fastest?

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

Enjoy the beautiful view of the Hozugawa River by Sagano scenic railway ride. The best way to enjoy the Arashiyama into your Kyoto trip.

Western Kyoto is famous for its natural beauty, especially at Asahiyama district. Day trip to Arashiyama is a must-do when planning on the Kyoto itinerary. Moreover, one of the attractions to do in the Arashiyama takes the sightseeing train ride, called the Sagano Scenic Railway. It is one of the best ways to mesmerized the natural beauty in Kyoto.

Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道) also known as Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko. This sightseeing train run between Arashiyama and Kameoka, riding along the Hozugawa River. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes for the 7-kilometer journey. It is very popular especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage.

Asahiyama Sagano Scenic Railway

Sagano Scenic Railway is nostalgic trains with wooden benches. Total 5 old carriages which are four enclosed carriages with enclosed window and one open-air carriage.

For four enclosed carriages, all seats are reserved and can be purchase one month in advance. However, the open car (No#5) is only available as a same-day ticket. Added, a small number of standing tickets will be on sale after the ticket finish.

Extremely popular especially peak season. So please remember to reserve your ticket..

• Train Fare: 620 yen, 25 minutes
• Operating hour: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on busy days)
• Close: every Wednesday except national holidays, spring and summer holiday and autumn foliage season. Not operate during winter from Dec 30 to end of Feb
• Official website: www.sagano-kanto.co.jp/en/

How To Take Sagano Scenic Railway

There are total 4 stop for this sightseeing train which is Kameoka, Hozukyo, Arashiyama, Saga Torokko station.

Depend on your Arashiyama itinerary. You can choose to take the scenic ride either before or after visit Arashiyama.

• Upstream direction: from Kameoka, Hozukyo, Arashiyama, and end at Saga Torokko station.
• Downstream direction: from Saga, Arashiyama, Hozukyo, and end at Kameoka Torokko station.

Most people will choose to take on/off at Arashiyama Torokko station. This station is located nearby the Arashiyama famous attraction, bamboo forest. It is will save some walk from the station before proceed for Arashiyama itinerary.

Upstream Direction: From Kameoka to Arashiyama Torokko Station

How to get there: From JR Kyoto Station to JR Umahori station by JR Saga line train. No worry on finding direction to the Kameoka Torokko station. Well marked instruction will get your way to Kameoka Torokko station with 5 minutes walk.

A lot of people were queue inside the Kameoka Torokko station while waiting for the train to arrive. The gate was open 10 minutes before the departure time.

The Sagano Romantic train arrived on time. It was very crowded during our visit in cherry blossom season. Can’t imagine the crowd on autumn foliage which is the super peak season.

During the train journey, it will be passing through tunnels and magical mountains. The scenery was amazing with scenic train run along the Hozugawa River. Train was moving at a relatively slow pace allowing you to enjoy the scenery optimally.

Enjoy your time and appreciate the countryside alongside the river.

The train was a brief stop at Hozukyo Torokko station. A Japanese guy with fierce-looking mask jumps on and board the train. Travelers especially kids were entertained by his joke and action. A fun arrangement to entertain visitors.

In the end, we got off at Arashiyama Torokko station and headed towards the bamboo grove as our next stop in Arashiyama. The whole train ride passed rather quickly with about 25 minutes.

Arashiyama with Sagano Romantic Train Ride

All in all, the Sagano Scenic Railway was a fun little train ride with some amazing scenery. Well, I didn’t feel romantic at all as it was also named as Sagano Romantic Train. It can be very crowded especially during peak season.

Traveler tips: Sagano Torokko train ticket can be difficult to purchase as it is one of the popular activities when visiting Arashiyama. Added, limited seat with only 5 carriages for one-way ride. So, we advise purchasing the train ticket when you arrive at Kansai Airport. Any JR Office can purchase this scenic ticket. Although the Car#5 is the open-air carriage which sounds interesting. But there is also a lot of people standing at the aisle which blocking your view. So, it make no difference. Seating number with even number with a better view.

Besides, there is another option to explore the beauty in Arashiyama. The Hozugawa River Boat ride with beautiful scenery along the boat journey. Anyway, it is not cheap. Cost is about ¥4,100 for 1 to 2 hours. More info from the official website. Happy travel to Kyoto!

Related Kyoto Japan itinerary:

• 15 Things To Do and Eat for 3 Days in Kyoto
• Half Day Trip To Arashiyama
• Trip To Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion
• Kiyomizudera Itinerary with Walking Guide
• Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Complete Travel Guide
• Nishiki Market Travel Guide: What To Eat and Buy
• [Cherry Blossom in Kyoto] Philosopher’s Walk