[JAPAN] Kyoto - Arashiyama (Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Groves & Togetsukyo Bridge)

15:45 Travel Bunny 1 Comments

Arashiyama is the second most important district for sightseeing in Kyoto. Although the journey to get there typically takes about 30 minutes from the center of Kyoto, it is well worth a day trip for its many attractions such as Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge and many other temples and shrines.


Getting there:

There are a few ways to get there:
By JR Sagano line: from Kyoto station to Saga-Arashiyama station. This is recommended especially if you plan to take the Saga Scenic Railway as the scenic train departs from Torroko Saga station just next to JR Saga-Arashiyama station.


By Keifuku Railways (Randen): This is the way I chose to get to Arashiyama. First, I take the Hankyu main line from Kawaramachi station to Omiya station (exit 2), then I changed to Randen station to get to Arashiyama station. This is recommended if you depart from Shijo street area and Randen Arashiyama station is located right in the heart of Arashiyama while other train station requires 5 to 10 minutes walk. Photo above is Randen station at Omiya.
By Hankyu Railways: Take any train from Kawaramachi, Karasuma, Omiya or Saiin stations, and get off at Katsura Station and then take the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Station. Hankyu Arashiyama Station is located on the opposite side of the river, you need to cross Togetsukyo Bridge and it’s about a 5-10 minute walk to reach central Arashiyama.
By bus from Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto City Bus # 28 and get off at Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae (about 30 minutes). Not recommended as the journey might take longer if the traffic is congested



Randen one way is 220 yen regardless of distance. Randen all day ticket costs 500 yen (adult) and 250 yen (child). If you plan to use Randen for at least 3 trips, then you should buy Randen all day ticket. Randen is also a convenient way to get to Kinkakuji Temple.



Randen Arashiyama station. There’s a station footbath which cost 200 yen per person (includes a towel). You can buy the ticket for footbath at Arashiyama information center. The footbath opens from 9am to 8pm (6pm during the winter), reception ends 30 minutes before closing time.



An ice cream stall at Randen Arashiyama station selling specialty ice cream covered with gold at 1,000 yen.



The main street of Arashiyama.



It’s a pity that it’s been raining the whole day that day. However I’m glad that I chose to wear kimono on the day before. Otherwise it wouldn’t be fun to walk in rain while wearing kimono.



Tenryuji Temple is a Zen temple with one of the finest garden in Kyoto. The temple is one of the many Unesco World Heritage Sites in Kyoto.





Plum blossom trees along the walking path to Tenryuji Temple.









The main building of Tenryuji Temple. The temple was founded in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo who died in Yoshino following the civil war that brought the Ashikaga family to power.



The admission fee to enter the garden + temple is 800 yen (adult) and 600 yen (child). This ticket does not cover the Dharma Hall (Cloud Dragon painting). It’s additional 500 yen to visit Dharma Hall which opens from 9am to 4pm.



Entrance to the temple.


Map of Tenryuji Temple





I only bought the ticket to enter the Sogenchi Garden which cost 500 yen. The site of Tenryuji had earlier been occupied by the temple Danrin-ji as the first Zen temple in Japan.



It was worth it as the Zen garden with a big pool is beautiful even under gloomy weather.







In the centuries since its founding, Tenryuji has been ravaged by fires a total of 8 times. Most of the present buildings thus date only to the Meiji period (1868-1912).



Open and covered walking path in the compound.





A plum blossom tree.





The landscape garden behind the Main Hall, known as Sogenchi Garden, is one of the oldest in Japan.





The bamboo forest in the garden.




Opening time of Tenryuji Temple (21 October – 20 March):
Sogenchi Garden (main gate): 8.30am – 5pm (last entry 4.50pm)
Sogenchi Garden (north gate): 9am – 4.30pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Temple: 8.30am – 4.45pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Dharma Hall: 9am – 4pm (last entry 3.50pm)



Once you exit the north gate of Tenryuji Temple, take a left and you’ll be in the famous bamboo grove in no time.



Entrance to Arashiyama bamboo grove.



The tall and dense bamboo lining the path is awe-aspiring.







The bamboo grove gives a Zen feeling, even more so on a rainy day.





The bamboo grove lead us back to the main street of Arashiyama. It’s time for lunch. Unagiya Hirokawa is a Michellin-starred grilled eel restaurant which is located directly across from the revered Tenryu-ji Temple. Unfortunately, we were late and the lunch time was closed. If you want to dine in this restaurant, book ahead or be prepared to wait in line.
Opening hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm (lunch), 5pm – 8pm (dinner), closed on Mondays



We chose to dine at Saga Tofu Ine North store which is nearby Unagiya Hirokawa.





As it was past the peak hours of lunch time, we got to sit on the front seat row facing the main street.



The restaurant is famous for its teoke yuba (tofu skin in a wooden crock). It even has illustrative instruction on how to eat it. First, pick up the tofu skin with chopsticks, then dip it in dipping sauce before eating. Alternatively, you can pour the dipping sauce into the wooden crock and eat the tofu soup with a spoon.



The menu showing different lunch set, all featuring tofu or soy milk product as its main dish. So if you don’t like tofu or soy milk, you should skip this restaurant.



The amazing view of Arashiyama in front of the full glass window.



This is Teoke Kumiage Yuba set (1,720 yen) containing Teoge (thick soy milk skin with homemake soy milk soup), a side dish, grilled namafu in two flavours (mugwort and sesame), miso soup, five grain rice, pickles, and warabimochi as dessert.



My sister ordered Soy Milk Obanzai Nabe set (1,980 yen) containing a hot pot prepared in soy milk and miso, home made gomatofu, steamed chawanmushi, grilled namafu in two flavours (mugwort and sesame), miso soup, five grain rice, pickles, and warabimochi as dessert.



Further down the street towards Randen Arashiyama station is a Rilakuma shop at its ground floor and cafe on its second floor. Website: http://rilakkumasabo.jp/



It’s a cute shop featuring the main cartoon character – Rilakuma, much like a bear version of Hello Kitty.







The honey products of Rilakuma.



You can try the honey drinks with the small paper cup provided. It’s actually quite delicious.





Passed by Tenryuji Temple again.



An owl and Bengal cat’s cafe on the second floor of this building.



Togetsukyo Bridge (Moon Crossing Bridge) was a wooden bridge originally built during Heian Period (794-1185) and reconstructed in the 1930s.





The bridge overlooking Katsura River and forested mountain in the background. During autumn, it is a nice spot to see the colourful changing leaves of mountain and during spring, the riverside has dozens of cherry blossom trees adjacent to the bridge.



Togetsukyo Bridge from a distance.



A shop selling different types of dango, a Japanese sweets.



Colourful vending machines besides a parking area.



Back to Randen Arashiyama station.





The station has a ‘kimono forest’ with tubes of lights wrapped in kimono design.



It’s a nice photo spot.



The Randen cars have different design with a retro feel. It’s the only streetcar in Kyoto since 1910. A ride is recommended when visiting Arashiyama.


Tenryuji Temple
Opening time of Tenryuji Temple (21 October – 20 March):
Sogenchi Garden (main gate): 8.30am – 5pm (last entry 4.50pm)
Sogenchi Garden (north gate): 9am – 4.30pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Temple: 8.30am – 4.45pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Dharma Hall: 9am – 4pm (last entry 3.50pm)