Arashiyama

城市概覽

While this western part of Kyoto is dismissed in most Western guidebooks in a brief paragraph suggesting "other attractions", the area is rightfully very popular with Japanese tourists and well worth a visit.

如何抵達

By train

The local JR Sagano Line (San'in Main Line) departs from Kyoto Station and stops at a number of stations in the northwest part of the city, including Sagaarashiyama (a good starting point for exploring the Arashiyama area). Both local and rapid service stops at Sagaarashiyama, but limited express does not. Arashiyama can also be accessed by the Hankyū Arashiyama Line, which branches off from the Hankyū Kyōto Main Line at Katsura Station. The Matsuo Area can be reached by disembarking at the Matsuo station, just before Arashiyama. The Randen (Keifuku) tram line, Kyoto's only surviving streetcar, ends at Arashiyama Station, directly in the heart of the area. The main line runs from the central city at Shijo-Omiya, while the Kitano branch line travels to Hakubaichō, serving several sites in the northern city. Fare is a flat ¥250 for adults, or ¥120 for children 6–12 (2023).

By subway Although the municipal subway system doesn't serve Arashiyama directly, travellers coming from other parts of the city (especially Central and Higashiyama) can use the Tōzai Line as far west as Nijō Station, where they can transfer to JR trains running on the Sagano Line (San'in Main Line).

By bus Kyoto City Bus 11, 28, 91, 93 and Kyoto Bus 72 - 86 will get you to the Arashiyama area. Kyoto Bus 72 - 86 leave from platform C6 at Kyoto Station. The 91 Bus will take you to Daikaku-ji. The Matsuo area can also be reached using Bus 28, and it's the only city bus that travels to this area from Kyoto Station. The ¥600 Bus One-Day Pass works for the Arashiyama or Matsuo-bound buses.

當地交通

You will mostly want to walk and see all the sights. But there are also rickshaws available.

必看景點

1 Bamboo Forest. This is the reason why most people head into this area, all taking the same looking pictures. You should visit when the sun is at its highest point, because the forest is quite dark and will only let in a few sun rays — don't wait until the afternoon. Note, the bamboo forest is free, but you might get the impression that you have to cross through the Tenryū-ji temple and gardens to reach it, don't or it will cost you ¥500. Just take the walkway route just south of the railway tracks, which begins at the upper end of the main road leading north from the Randen tram terminal. Free. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Togetsukyō Bridge (渡月橋). This picturesque bridge spans the Hozu River, which usually has a healthy and fast current of water in it. Please note that the sidewalks are one-way. 3 Tenryū-ji (天龍寺), 68 Saga Tenryū-ji Susukinobaba-chō (Main entrance near the busy Togetsukyō Bridge intersection), ☏ +81 75-881-1235. Mar-Oct: daily 08:30-17:30; Nov-Feb: daily 08:30-17:00. One of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the main temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism in Kyoto; it's also considered one of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Tenryu-ji was founded in 1334, but the current buildings all date from the last century: pleasant, but unremarkable. However, there is a lovely garden and pond, designed by the Zen master Musō Soseki, that is worth a look - and well worth taking a leisurely stroll around. After your walk, head out the back way and through the splendid bamboo forest to reach the Ōkōchi Sansō villa (see below). ¥600 (garden + temple), or ¥500 (garden only). 4 Ōkōchi Sansō (大河内山荘) (Near the bamboo grove behind Tenryū-ji), ☏ +81 75-872-2233. Daily 09:00-17:00. A splendid mountain retreat, previously occupied by Japanese silent screen legend Ōkōchi Denjirō. The grounds have something beautiful to offer each season but are probably at their best during autumn, when the trees explode into fiery shades of red and gold. Take a long, leisurely walk throu

體驗活動

1 Hozu River Cruise (For a 16km trip down the river take the JR Sagano Line from JR Kyoto station to JR Kameoka Station (approx. 20 minutes by rapid express) and turn left when you exit the station. It is a 10 minute walk to the boarding site along a rather busy road.). Departures run from mid March to the end of November roughly on the hour starting at 09:00. Last boat leaves at 15:30. During the winter boats with heated seats leave at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30. To experience Arashiyama to the fullest, the river cruise is your best bet! A variety of boats, small or large, both rowed and motored, are waiting on either side of the river. Be sure to confirm how far and for how long the trip goes, though. Some are as long as two hours, and others will do a quick turnaround in less than twenty minutes. Be prepared to get splashed and take appropriate precautions for electronic equipment. The drop off point sets you down just outside the entrance to Iwatayama Monkey Park, a great location to begin your stroll around the sights of Arashiyama. ¥3,900 for adults, ¥ 2,500 for children. Ride in a Rickshaw (人力車, jinrikisha), ☏ +81 75-864-4444. For those looking to experience Kyoto from a different perspective, travelling in a rickshaw allows you to do just that. You can arrange where they will take you (and check the fees, of course) and then they will take a picture of you inside the rickshaw. Depending on where you are, you may even be able to get the Togetsukyo Bridge in the background. While you travel, the rickshaw puller will tell you about the area and the local sites, so you can learn a lot, if you understand Japanese. You can find the rickshaws around Togetsukyo Bridge. Prices range from about ¥5000-7000, depending on where you go. Sagano Romantic Train. Trains depart from Torokko Saga Station every hour from 08:50 to 16:50 and from Torokko Arashiyama Station every hour from 08:53 to 16:53. A scenic train clinging to the sides of the Hozu river gorge that runs

購物

Most of the areas shops and dining are located along Tenryuji Tsukurimichi-cho, which runs from the Togetsukyo Bridge up to Seiryoji Temple.

JJ Sagano, 40-1 Tsukurimichi-cho, ☏ +81 75 882-0775. 10:00-18:00, closed Tu. A nice souvenir shop with a variety of Hello Kitty goods, as well as many local souvenirs.

美食

Budget Shinpachi Tea House (新八茶屋), 20-40 Saga Tenryuji Tsukurimichi-cho, ☏ +81 75 861-0117. Daily 09:00-18:00. Despite being called a teahouse, Shinpachi is popular for its gelatto ice cream. They also have ice cream cones and parfaits. It is also a souvenir shop, so visitors often enjoy eating their gelatto while browsing the shop. Gelatto single ¥350, double ¥400.

Mid-range Shintogetsu (新渡月), ☏ +81 75 882-9884. 11:00-17:00. Serves a variety of meal set, with soba and the famous Yodofu (tofu) being among the most popular. ¥650-1300.

Splurge Hirokawa (廣川), 48-1 Saga Tenryuji Kitatsukurimichi-cho, ☏ +81 75 871-5226. Tu-Su 11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00. A great restaurant for those who enjoy eating eel. Reservations may be made one month in advance. ¥1575-13,000. (updated Jun 20