Authentic Arashiyama

Arashiyama is the perfect day trip to spend outside of the city of Kyoto while not being far away! Most people do not know that Arashiyama has so much more to offer than the famous bamboo forest - which is really really overrated in my humble opinion (and you'll find a much better option in this itinerary!)

In this itinerary, we will take the bus towards the highest point of Arashiyama and take a leasurely stroll down through the historical preserved streets.

If you really really want to see the Arashiyama bamboo forest, I recommend to arrive there as early as possible. Otherwise you'll be squeezed between hundreds of tourists.

From Arashiyama Station, cross the street and you will reach the bus stop "Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae". Take the bus 94 to "Otagidera mae". This is the highest point of the area of Arashiyama and our starting point. From here, we will take a walk through the historical streets of Arashiyama that are beautifully preserved and lined with amazing temples that are not overrun by tourists. You can do the itinerary in reverse, but it means you will have to walk uphill for 2,7km. Getting the bus up and walking down is the easiest way.

Make sure to check your connecting time in advance on Google Maps, as the bus 94 only runs once an hour. (which is also why I recommend to do the itinerary this way, a lot easier than arriving at the top and missing the last bus down.)

Otagi Nenbutsuji: 1200 followers of Buddha

Otagi Nenbutsuji is a very special place where you can find over 1200 individually carved rakan statues, the followers of Buddha. Each statue has a unique face and features, some holding things that the person carving hold dear to them. Nowhere in Japan can you find such a vibrant mix of emotions. The temple grounds in general are beautiful - leading up a steep hill, you get a gorgeous view over this whole temple complex from the top.

Entrance fee: 400Yen

On your way to Saga Toriimoto Preserved Historical District, you will pass by Ayuchaya Hiranoya, which is an amazingly authentic café at the outskirts of Arashiyama. If it's open, I highly recommend to have one of their tea sets with yuzu shigure, candied yuzu peel. (vegan too!)

Sometimes you can find volunteers in this area who give up hand drawn maps of the area. If they approach you, thank them and have a little talk with them in English! They really give their best to promote this beautiful area.

After 5-10mins walk, you will reach Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple which hosts a very small but super beautiful bamboo grove in its premises. This temple is over 1200 years old and you will find many statues similar to Otagi Nenbutsuji, but for a different reason.

The old Japanese funeral rites were replaced with burial rites after which people dedicated a stone Buddha to grieve for their eternal separation. Make sure not to pose for pictures in the main part of the statues as that is considered disrespectful to the deceased. Absolutely do not miss the bamboo grove though - it's to the very left corner of the temple grounds.

Entrance fee: 500 Yen

If you are looking for authentic souvenirs to take home or handcrafted items from Japan, make sure to check out the little stores on Saga Toriimoto Street, such as Adashino Mayumura.

Should you feel hungry, don't worry, there are quite a lot of authentic restaurants in this area - and they are likely to have a free seat for you! My favorite is the tofu restaurant Izusen Sagano that also have a few vegan dishes. It's a bit pricey but the quality of food definitely matches that.

Saga Toriimoto Historic District is one of my favorite parts of Arashiyama that most tourists don't know about. It's the historical core of Arashiyama where you can experience the authentic Kyoto back in the day. There are many machiya lining the streets as well as some of my favorite temples with little visitors. If you follow the main street, you will reach the station again. I like to spend 2-4hrs here, strolling the neighborhood and all the small shops and exploring the temples that are tucked away here.

Follow the street further for 10mins and at a small intersection to your right you will find the café Sabou Sagano. It is nothing special but that makes it special for me: It is run by two older women who are absolute sweethearts that make simple authentic Japanese dishes. I really like the anmitsu (a mix of fruit, kanden and red bean paste - very refreshing in summer!) but their lunch options are super good as well.

Just around the corner from Sabou Sagano, you can find the small moss temple Gio-ji, if you know where to look for it. It's at the very end of the street to the right. When you think you reached a dead end, look for a small wooden sign which is the entrance to Gio-ji. The moss garden is absolutely beautiful and in summer you will be rewarded by a light breeze between the bamboo grove surrounding this temple.