How to Spend One Day in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Nestled beneath rolling green mountains on the western edge of Kyoto, Arashiyama is a historic district that feels locked in a forgone era.

Long admired as a treasured retreat for emperors, monks, and artists, the temples here are adorned with moss, cobblestones streets well worn, and lotus pond drenched in shades of emerald. And of course there’s the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest—plus a quieter bamboo grove we’ll explore in this 1 day Arashiyama itinerary.

I recently introduced my husband to Arashiyama for the first time after returning to Kyoto after ten years away. Amid the busyness of traveling around Japan I was looking forward to a somewhat slow, rejuvenating adventure through the quieter zen side of this charming district.

My one day Arashiyama itinerary does just that—we’ll arrive in Arashiyama on a traditional boat after journeying down the river, eat a zen meal riverside, explore several quieter Buddhist temples, find lotus ponds and bamboo groves, and have some time to explore the cute shops, too!

One Day Arashiyama Itinerary

Hozugawa River Boat Ride

📍 Start: Kameoka Station | 28 minute train ride from Kyoto Station

Our day in Arashiyama begins with a scenic traditional boat ride through the Arashiyama mountains. To start, take the San-In JR line east from Kyoto Station to Kameoka Station. From there, it’s a short walk to the embarkment point.

Similar to a gondola ride in Venice, the old wooden boat navigates along the river by three hilarious boatman equipped with bamboo poles. Except here, you spend two hours journeying through the rolling Arashiyama mountains—adorned with cherry blossoms during sakura season, painted in shades of vibrant orange and red in late autumn, and verdant green other times of the year.

Our boat ride was accompanied by plenty of goofy anecdotes and stories from our boatmen, and the occasional ‘rapid,’ which our boatmen always talked up jokingly since the whole ride is quite smooth. Right before we disembarked, we were approached by a friendly floating vendor that selling teriyaki mochi (my first time trying savory mochi) and Japanese beer. (Bring coins!)

And as we approached Arashiyama, it felt like we’d journeyed into another era! This Kyoto neighborhood is insanely charming and arriving via boat only added to the appeal.

The boat ride itself needs to be reserved in advance on Klook. We chose the 11am slot to leave plenty of room for our hotel breakfast, but if I went again, I’d try to get here earlier.

Also See: The BEST of Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Local’s Hidden Trails & History

Zen Lunch at Shoraian

📍 Shoraian | 4 minute walk from disembarkment

Head to lunch after arriving in Arashiyama. There are a variety of lovely places to eat, including:

• Shoraian: My top choice, a riverside restaurant serving traditional set menus (reservations highly reccomended)
• Banh Mi Kyoto Arashiyama: Quick grab-and-go option with delicious Vietnamese sandwiches
• M’s Bento: Traditional bento box lunches made vegan
• Tenryuji Temple Shigetsu: Zen Buddhist cuisine served inside the Tenryuji Temple (reservations needed)

Togetsukyō Bridge & Dessert at Enman Rice Cake

📍 Togetsukyō Bridge | 10 minute walk

After lunch, see the famous Togetsukyō Bridge with the rolling Arashiyama mountains in the background. Keep in mind that this area can get insanely crowded—on my most recent visit in October, were hoping to get some photos here but it was far too busy to stop!

Nearby get some mochi and maybe a matcha at Enman Rice Cake for dessert!

Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street

📍 Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple | 7 minute taxi ride

Next, order a taxi (via GO Taxi app) to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple at the top of Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street. This adorable historic street is teeming with Meiji charm, and is much less crowded compared to downtown Arashiyama.

The rest of our day in Arashiyama will be leisurely walking back down to the river, stopping at several unique temples, bamboo forests, shops, and a lotus pond along the way.

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

📍 Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple | closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays | ¥500 per person

If it is open, don’t miss Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple! This was #1 on my list of things to do in Arashiyama, but I made the mistake of switching around my Kyoto activities last minute and then visiting on a day this temple was closed. 😢

Here you’ll find 1,200 small moss-covered stone statues, each depicting a real person who made a pilgrimage to this temple! These statues were created by sculptor-turned-monk, Kocho Nishimura in the late 1900s, but the temple itself dates back to 766 Kyoto!

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple & Bamboo Forest

📍 Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple | open daily | ¥500 per person

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple is another unique small Buddhist temple, just a short walk down the road. It’s adorned with ~8,000 mossy stone Buddha statues, views of the surrounding mountains, and a small bamboo grove (much less crowded than the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest).

The temple dates back 1200 years, when it was established by the founder of Shingon Buddhist, Kukai. The thousands of Buddha statues here mark graves from throughout the centuries.

Saga Toriimoto Tea and Coffee Hijiri

📍 Saga Toriimoto Tea and Coffee Hijiri

After exploring the first two temples, walk a short distance down Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street, and you’ll notice a small stand selling coffee and tea. This is a lovely spot to stop if you’re in need of a refreshing drink!

Giōji Temple (Moss Temple!)

📍Giōji Temple | 10 minute walk | open daily | ¥300 per person

Walk about ten minutes further toward Giōji Temple, a small thatched-roof Buddhist temple surrounded by bamboo groves, maple trees, and most remarkably, vibrant green moss!

The Heian-era temple grounds are quite small, but so worth exploring—it’s quite serene, and the moss garden is unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

Ogura Pond

📍Ogura Pond | 10 minute walk | free to visit

Walking toward our next stop will take you past Ogura Pond, a medium-sized lotus pond surrounded by lush foliage. The scenery instantly reminded me of My Neighborhood Totoro, my favorite childhood movie! There’s a small shinto shrine (Mikami Shrine) located on the banks above the pond, but I didn’t stop to see it.

Tenryu-ji Temple & Bamboo Forest

📍Tenryu-ji Temple | 5 minute walk | open daily | ¥500 per person + ¥300 extra if you want to visit the garden and buildings

We’ll end our one day Arashiyama itinerary at Tenryu-ji Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Zen Temple! And yes, I know we’ve already visited several temples today, but trust me, each is unique and so worth vistiing!

Tenryu-ji is much larger than the other temples, with three entrances. The route you’re walking from Ogura Pond will take you through the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest before entering the temple. The bamboo forest itself is free to visit—and wildly crowded. But why not walk through!

The temple grounds here was home to Japan’s first Zen Temple, Danrin-ji, later became a residence for emperors, and the current temple was established in 1339. My favorite parts were the tranquil Sogenchi Teien (pond garden) and viewpoint over the temple on the small hill above.

Getting Back to Central Kyoto

That marks the end of this 1 day Arashiyama itinerary! If you’re staying in the main parts of Kyoto, you’ll want to walk over to Arashiyama station and take the San-In JR Line back to Kyoto Station.

Curious about where I recommend staying in Kyoto? Check out my Where to Stay in Kyoto for First Timers Guide.

More Japan Travel Guides

• The PERFECT 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: Hidden Gems & Highlights
• What You NEED to Book in Advance for Japan (And How)
• The Perfect 3 Day Tokyo Itinerary: Traditional & Modern
• Where to Stay in Kyoto for First Timers: Central & Charming
• A First Timer’s Guide to the Hozugawa River Cruise in Kyoto
• The BEST of Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Local’s Hidden Trails & History

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