Arashiyama
嵐山
Things to Do in and Around Arashiyama
Arashiyama is located in the western part of Kyoto City, and is known for its natural beauty created by the Katsura River (Hozu River) and the surrounding mountains. It showcases different expressions throughout the four seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. The autumn foliage season, in particular, attracts many tourists.
There are also many Japanese restaurants and souvenir shops, making it an enjoyable tourist area for a whole day.
Where is Arashiyama?
Arashiyama is located in the western part of Kyoto City and belongs to the Ukyo Ward of Kyoto City. It is about 7 kilometers west of the city center of Kyoto and is known as part of the Sagano area. To the north is Takao, to the west is Keihoku Town, to the south is Nishikyo Ward separated by the Katsura River (Ōi River), and to the east is the central urban area.
In relation to the surrounding areas, Arashiyama is relatively close to famous tourist spots such as Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, which are located to the northeast, making it a central presence in the western area of Kyoto tourism. It is also geographically connected to landmarks such as Katsura Imperial Villa and Matsuo Taisha located to the south.
Geographically, it is a nature-rich area surrounded by the Hozu River (Katsura River) and Mount Ogura, where you can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season. Especially during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage, it becomes a representative scenic spot of Kyoto visited by many tourists.
Getting Around
From within Kyoto City, the nearest stations are JR Sagano Line's "Saga-Arashiyama Station", Hankyu Railway's "Arashiyama Station", and Keifuku Electric Railroad's (Randen) "Arashiyama Station".
From JR Kyoto Station, it takes about 15 minutes on the Sagano Line, and from the city center, it takes about 15 minutes from Shijo Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Railway. You can also access Arashiyama by city bus, which takes about 45 minutes on route 28 from Kyoto Station.
Walking is the primary mode of transportation within the Arashiyama area, but rental bicycles are also popular. Major tourist spots such as the Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple, and the Bamboo Grove Path are concentrated within walking distance. Additionally, there are sightseeing transportation options like the Sagano Romantic Train and Hozugawa River Boat Ride.
To avoid crowds, visiting early in the morning or on weekdays is recommended. Especially during the autumn foliage season (mid-November to early December) and cherry blossom season (late March to early April), it gets very crowded, so it's advisable to plan with extra time.
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About Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a representative scenic spot of Kyoto, where you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery throughout the four seasons. The cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves are particularly spectacular, attracting many tourists. The view from Togetsukyo Bridge is an iconic landscape of Arashiyama and has been the subject of numerous paintings and photographs.
Arashiyama
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