Arashiyama Day Trip in Kyoto: Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo, Tenryu-ji and the Sagano Scenic Railway

Among Kyoto's sightseeing areas, Arashiyama is the one best suited to a full day: the bamboo grove in the early morning, the World Heritage temple Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River, and the Sagano Scenic Railway running through the Hozugawa gorge show you the most natural side of Kyoto in a single day. This Arashiyama day trip guide covers a recommended route and timing, the 2026 Sagano Scenic Railway fare and booking method, Tenryu-ji admission, and a comparison of how to get there from Kyoto Station and Shijo-Kawaramachi.

Arashiyama Day Trip Itinerary: How to Plan Your Time

In short: bamboo grove first, temple second, scenic train in the afternoon is the order that best avoids crowds. Crowds in Arashiyama grow quickly after about 9:00, so the earlier you arrive, the easier your day.

If you skip the Hozugawa boat ride, you can spend the afternoon deeper in Sagano at Gio-ji and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, or take the Randen tram toward Uzumasa and Ninna-ji. For temple information during the autumn foliage season, see Kyoto autumn leaves 2026.

Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji: Start Early

In short: the Bamboo Grove has no admission fee and is open all day, but to photograph it without crowds you need to arrive before 8:00.

The Bamboo Grove is a path of a few hundred meters lined with towering bamboo, running from near Nonomiya Shrine to the entrance of Okochi Sanso Villa. The rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind was chosen by Japan's Ministry of the Environment as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan." At midday, visitors move through in a line and it is hard to take a good photo, so put it first in your day.

Tenryu-ji is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of the Rinzai school and is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" World Heritage listing. Its highlight is the Sogenchi Garden, designed by Muso Soseki, which borrows Arashiyama as its backdrop. According to the official website, the garden is open 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:50), and admission is 500 yen for high school students and older and 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Entering buildings such as the Daihojo costs an extra 300 yen, and the "Cloud Dragon" painting in the Hatto (Dharma Hall) is a separate 500 yen^[3]. During the autumn foliage period from November 14 to 30, 2026, the garden opens early at 7:30 (garden ticket office only)^[3], which is a good chance to beat the crowds. Tenryu-ji's north gate connects directly to the Bamboo Grove, so you can link the two in one go.

At the end of the bamboo path, Okochi Sanso Villa is the garden of the former villa of the Showa-era actor Okochi Denjiro. You can look out over the Hozu gorge and the city of Kyoto, and it is much quieter than the grove. Many travel sites list admission as 1,000 yen, but accounts differ on whether matcha is included, so check the notice on site.

Sagano Scenic Railway: 2026 Fares and Booking

In short: the Sagano Scenic Railway costs 880 yen for adults and 440 yen for children one way, the same price for any section. In peak season, book on the official website one month before your ride date.

The Sagano Scenic Railway (known in Japanese as the Sagano Torokko train) uses a section of the old San-in Main Line, running from Torokko Saga through Torokko Arashiyama and Torokko Hozukyo to Torokko Kameoka. It is about 7.3 km long and takes about 25 minutes one way, with views of the Hozugawa gorge the whole way. The official booking page shows the standard fare as 880 yen for adults and 440 yen for children, the same for any section^[1].

How to book

1. Go to the Sagano Scenic Railway official website and choose your date and direction (outbound: Saga to Kameoka; inbound: Kameoka to Saga).
2. Choose your seats from the seat map, up to 8 people per booking.
3. Create an account (with a social account or email) and pay by credit card.
4. On the day, show the e-ticket QR code from your "My Page" at the ticket gate.

According to the official press release, online tickets go on sale at 0:00 one month before the ride date. Station windows do not sell in advance; they sell only same-day tickets (Torokko Hozukyo Station sells no tickets), and when the train is full you cannot ride^[2]. Window sales start at about 8:35 at Saga Station, 8:50 at Arashiyama Station, and 9:10 at Kameoka Station, and a limited number of standing tickets are sold once seats run out^[1].

Two things to note for 2026

• Current cars are retiring: The operator has announced that the current train cars will finish service on December 29, 2026, and new cars will be introduced in spring 2027^[2]. If you want to ride the old cars, autumn and winter 2026 are your last chance.
• "Hikari no Gensō Ressha" (Phantom Train of Light) illumination: From October 24 to December 29, 2026, the line is lit up every day from 16:30 until the last train (except December 16, when the line is closed), and extra evening trains are added during this period^[2].

For the winter closure period and weekly regular closing days, follow the annual operating calendar on the official website, and be sure to check before you go.

Togetsukyo Bridge, Shopping Street and Hozugawa River Boat Ride

In short: Togetsukyo Bridge fits well around midday, and the Hozugawa boat ride works best after the train, making a loop: go up by train, come down by boat.

Togetsukyo is a long, wooden-style bridge over the Katsura River (called the Hozugawa River upstream), with Arashiyama as its backdrop, and it is most beautiful in cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. The Arashiyama shopping street on the north side of the bridge has many snacks, including yudofu, matcha sweets, and croquettes, and Randen Arashiyama Station has the "Kimono Forest" illuminated pillar walkway. To see Togetsukyo from a distance, walk to Nakanoshima Park on the opposite bank, or climb to the viewing platform in the Kameyama area of Arashiyama Park.

The Hozugawa River boat ride (Hozugawa Kudari) departs from Kameoka and travels about 16 km downstream to Arashiyama, taking about 2 hours. Boatmen pole and paddle the boat, with a few small rapids along the way. Travel sites list the fare as 6,000 yen for adults and 4,500 yen for children aged 4 to elementary school^[6]. Winter sailings are shorter, and the boats stop running in heavy rain or high water. Check the Hozugawa River boat association's official site for current fares and schedules.

Getting to Arashiyama from Central Kyoto

In short: from Kyoto Station, take JR; from Kawaramachi, take Hankyu; and if you want to stop at Uzumasa and Ninna-ji, take the Randen.

Since April 2023, the Randen has charged a flat adult fare of 250 yen one way^[5]. If you will get on and off several times, consider the Randen one-day pass (700 yen for adults) or the "Kyoto Subway and Randen 1-Day Pass" (1,300 yen for adults, on sale April 2026 to March 2027). Hankyu also offers a digital "Kyoto Arashiyama 1-Day Pass" (1,400 yen, on sale October 1 to December 20, 2026)^[4]. For a fuller comparison of Kyoto passes, see the Kyoto transport guide.

Tips Before Your Arashiyama Day Trip

In short: Arashiyama is bigger than it looks, so wear comfortable shoes, book the scenic train, and know your return time.

1. The train and boat can both be suspended by weather: In heavy rain or typhoons the Hozugawa boat often stops running, and even after booking the train you should watch the official operating notices.
2. Eat breakfast and lunch early: The shopping street is crowded at midday, and popular yudofu restaurants have lines, so arriving before 11:00 is more relaxed. For yudofu and other Kyoto dishes, see Kyoto food recommendations.
3. Do not bring large luggage: The bamboo grove and temples have many stone steps. Leave large bags in a locker at Kyoto Station, or send them ahead to your hotel.
4. Avoid the evening rush on the way back: Between 16:00 and 18:00, JR Saga-Arashiyama Station and Hankyu Arashiyama Station are crowded. You can stay in Arashiyama through dinner before heading back to the city.
5. Combining with other sights: Arashiyama is not far from Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, and if you have the energy, you can take the Randen Kitano Line to Ryoan-ji or Toji-in stations and keep exploring. Other city sights are covered in Kyoto attractions.