The Perfect Arashiyama Walking Tour Itinerary
Last Updated on March 22, 2026 by Charlotte
Arashiyama is one of my favorite corners of Kyoto, with rustling bamboo forests, mossy green Buddha statues, and a river valley that goes absolutely ablaze with ruby and gold foliage in autumn. I’ve visited Arashiyama more than once, and I’d go back in a heartbeat because there’s just something about this neighborhood that feels magical. I believe that Arashiyama is best explored on foot, and my itinerary below covers some of the best temples and scenic viewpoints in the area. Now, let’s jump into it.
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Arashiyama 1-Day Itinerary Overview
To begin your day at Arashiyama, I recommend coming in through Saga-Arashiyama Station, which drops you off right at the edge of the bamboo grove. But, depending on the hour that you arrive, it might make sense to skip the bamboo grove and wait until late afternoon if the crowds are too thick.
Map of 1-Day Arashiyama Walking Tour Itinerary
This full itinerary takes around 5–6 hours with a stop for lunch and ice cream. But if temples aren’t really your thing, just pick one temple and feel free to skip temples marked with a * for a shorter outing.
Most temples along the route charge a small entry fee, usually somewhere between 500–1,000 yen, so it’s worth having some cash on hand.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Start your day at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and yes, it lives up to the hype, even with the crowds. I arrived early to catch the morning light filtering through the stalks, and for a few quiet minutes before the tour groups arrived, it felt genuinely magical.
The path is shorter than most people expect, so don’t stress about timing a huge chunk of your day around it. The bamboo forest is also completely free to visit, and open 24/7.
The bamboo grove literally borders Tenryu-Ji Temple, so it’s a short 2-minute walk to the Tenryu-Ji Temple entrance. And if you’re only planning to visit one temple on this itinerary, make it Tenryu-Ji.
Tenryu-Ji Temple
Tenryu-Ji is one of Kyoto’s most celebrated Zen temples, but its garden is the real star. The landscape design frames the Arashiyama mountains as a living backdrop, and it even has a koi pond.
I loved exploring the garden paths that are fringed with maples that turn vivid shades of red and orange in the autumn, but, this was the busiest temple we visited.
I’d budget at least 30–45 minutes to wander the grounds properly without rushing.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 500 yen for the garden; 800 yen for garden + main hall (worth it for the dragon ceiling painting!)
- Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm (the last entry is at 4:50pm)
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Nisonin Temple *
Nisonin was honestly one of my favorite stops of the day, mostly because it felt like a secret the crowds hadn’t found yet. You’ll enter along the stone-paved path lined with maple trees, which is stunning in autumn, all fiery reds and golds, with almost no one around to interrupt the mood.
Inside, the temple enshrines two principal Buddhist images, which is where its name (“Ni” meaning two, “Son” meaning venerable) comes from.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 300 yen
- Hours: 9:00am–4:50pm (last entry 4:30pm), closed January 1
- Time needed: 20–30 minutes
Jōjakkōji Temple *
Jōjakkōji is a bit of a climb from the main path, but the mossy stone steps and towering cedar trees make it one of the most atmospheric spots in all of Arashiyama.
It’s smaller and quieter than the more popular temples, which makes it a lovely contrast to the busier sights nearby.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 400 yen
- Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm)
- Time needed: 20–30 minutes
From Jōjakkōji, it is a short 10-15 minute walk past the bamboo forest to the Arashiyama Park Viewpoint.
Arashiyama Park Viewpoint
After the temple circuit, the Arashiyama Park Viewpoint is a perfect excuse to pause and rest your legs. From up here, you get a sweeping view over the Ōi River and the iconic Togetsukyō Bridge below, with the autumn mountains blazing down the steep walls of the gorge.
From the Arashiyama Park Viewpoint, it’s about a 7 to 12-minute walk to the Katsuragawa Riverfront.
Katsuragawa Riverfront
From the Arashiyama Park Viewpoint, make your way down to the Katsuragawa Riverfront and follow the river toward the Togetsukyō Bridge.
This is a great time to stop for a late lunch or an ice cream, or grab a specialty coffee from % ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama. The latte that I got from this coffee shop was, perhaps, one of the best cups of coffee that I enjoyed in all of Kyoto!
Togetsukyō Bridge
Togetsukyō — “Moon Crossing Bridge” — is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, and along the path to the Monkey Park.
The bridge gets its name from a beautifully poetic moment in the Kamakura period, when Emperor Kameyama, during a boating party under a full moon, thought the moon looked like it was dancing across the bridge.
From here, you can either just enjoy the view of the river or continue across the bridge and up the hill to the Monkey Park.
Monkey Park
The Monkey Park Iwatayama is home to a troop of wild Japanese macaques, and if you make the trek up the hillside trail to reach them, you’ll be rewarded with both close-up monkey encounters and sweeping views over Kyoto.
Fair warning: the path up to the Monkey Park is steeper and longer than it looks from the bottom, so wear comfortable shoes and come with a bit of energy in reserve. Once you’re up there, you can feed the monkeys through a wire mesh from inside a cage. As in, you’re in the cage, and the monkeys are outside!
Visiting Information
- Admission: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children ages 4–middle school, free for ages 3 and under
- Hours: Open daily 9:00 am until 4:00pm (closed during extreme weather)
- Time needed: About 1–1.5 hours, including the hike up and back
Kimono Forest
The Kimono Forest makes for a lovely end to the day, and it is conveniently right next to the train station. The installation features hundreds of cylindrical poles wrapped in traditional Kyoto textile patterns.
Plan Your Visit to Arashiyama
Arashiyama is an easy day trip from central Kyoto, and with a little planning, you can make the most of every hour you’re there. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
How to Get to Arashiyama
The easiest way to get to Arashiyama from Kyoto Station is the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 240 yen, and it’s covered by the JR Pass if you have one. From the station, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk to the bamboo grove.
If you’re not using a JR Pass and you’re coming from central Kyoto rather than Kyoto Station, the Keifuku Randen tramline from Omiya Station is a convenient option and drops you right in the heart of Arashiyama.
Best Seasons to Visit Arashiyama
I visited Arashiyama twice, first in peak autumn, and second in late december. In my opinion, the best seasons are:
- Autumn and spring are the two standout seasons, and honestly, it’s hard to pick between them. Autumn foliage typically peaks in the second half of November, and Arashiyama is one of the best places in all of Kyoto to see it.
- The spring cherry blossom season runs from late March to early April, when the hills around the river turn pink with blooms around the Togetsukyō Bridge area.
- Winter is quiet and uncrowded, and there’s a rare chance of snow on the bamboo. But, as someone who also visited over Arashiyama New Year’s, I’ll warn you that the temple gardens are fully dormant in winter, which takes some of the magic away from stops like Tenryu-Ji and Nisonin.
Where to Stay in Arashiyama
Most visitors to Arashiyama come as a day trip from central Kyoto, and that’s totally fine, but if you want to experience the area at its most magical, consider staying overnight.
Arashiyama empties out beautifully once the day-trippers leave, and there’s many more temples to visit, and even a scenic train to ride if you have more time.
What to Pack for Arashiyama
You’ll be walking a lot in Arashiyama, so comfortable shoes are essential. This itinerary includes a mix of flat riverside paths and uneven stone steps at the hillside temples, and it adds up quickly over the course of a day.
I say this with love because my Travel Buddy ignored this advice and ended up with an foot tendon overuse injury due to walking so much in bad shoes! This led to an awkward pharmacy visit where we discovered that Japan doesn’t really sell plain ibuprofen—the only option was something branded for menstrual cramps! So he limped in with a foot injury and left with period pain medication, as a man! To be fair, it worked fine. But the experience was… humbling.
I’d also bring a light layer because even in autumn since the shaded temple paths can feel cool, and the Monkey Park hike will warm you back up quickly. I was constantly slipping in and out of my puffy coat, alternating between freezing and overheating.
Lastly, bring cash for temple entry fees since smaller attractions may not accept cards, and a reusable water bottle is a good idea for the warmer months. If you’re visiting in autumn or spring, expect crowds and give yourself a little extra time at each stop.
Where to Eat in Arashiyama
Most casual restaurants and cafés in Arashiyama don’t require reservations, especially if you’re eating before 12:00 PM or after the main lunch rush (around 1:30–2:00 PM). However, for more popular or upscale spots, like Shoraian or Unagi Hirokawa, a reservation is highly recommended, particularly on weekends or during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons.
But honestly, my favorite way to eat here is to just snack your way through the day on street food. The stalls and vendors scattered along the main paths are half the fun.
On both of my visits, I worked my way through sakura ice cream, matcha ice cream, a beef stick, mochi on a stick, a baked sweet potato, and a croquette, and finished it off with what might have been the best latte of my entire trip from % ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Kyoto?
If you’re not that into temples, be sure to check out my guide on the 16 best non-temple things to do in Kyoto. And if you do enjoy temples, my favorite ones are Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ryoan-ji, and Kinkaku-ji!
