Though it attacts crazy number of tourists, Arashiyama must not be avoided at all cost. Located in the far western part of the city, Arashiyama is beautifully surrounded with forested mountains. From the centre of Kyoto, it should take around half hour by train to get to Saga-Arashiyama stration.
There were three things that stood out for me in Arashiyama. Quieter alternative spots that provided a break from the crowd; beautiful zen garden to sit and take a break from sightseeing; and a great area to walk around and see bamboo trees up close.
As a lively district, Arashiyama requires a full day (or two) of exploration. From the Saga-Arashiyama train station, the places below are located within walking distance. I would recommend walking instead of taking the bus to avoid missing out on sights to see along the way, like the pedestrian path, surrounded by bamboo trees. You will find pretty shops selling handicrafts made from bamboo and residential homes that you wish to live in.
Here are some of the places I would recommend visiting while in Arashiyama. This is ideal for those who are short on time.
Adashino Nenbutsuji temple
This is a much quieter, and alternative option to the overly crowded Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. When I arrived around 11 am, it was virtually empty, making the entire place reflective and peaceful.
Founded in the 8th century, by a monk named Kukai, this is a home to some 8000 stones that commemorate the souls who died without kin. It is around 25 minutes on foot from Saga-Arashiyama train station.
The Bamboo Forest Trail in Sagano
This is another alternative to the Arashiyama bamboo forest, though a tad busy at times. The trail is quite a short one, but you can see tall bamboos up close. This is around 10 minutes’ walk from the Saga-Arashiyama train station.
Tenryu-ji Zen Temple
Registered as a world heritage site, the temple host a beautiful Sogenchi garden, featuring a large pond with Arashiyama forests looming in the background. It is a scenic place to take a break and rest up from sightseeing. It wasn’t too crowded, when I visited. If you are feeling peckish, there is a vegetarian restaurant on site.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
If you have a spare couple of hours, preferably after a meal to burn off the calories, then this is a unique place to visit.
A fair bit of warning – it’s almost half hour long uphill trek, with some steep paths without any railing to hold on to. Some paths are treacherously slippery during rainfall. So, wear comfortable trainers, bring a bottle of water and take caution when climbing and descending.
When you reach the top, you will be greeted with a great view of the city, and some monkeys running about the place. There is an observation deck, where you can buy food and feed the monkeys. There are around 160 wild monkeys, who live in this area, and it is always cool to see them so close.
Despite the hustle bustle of tourism, Arashiyama gives off a truly relaxed and peaceful vibe. It is a lovely area to explore on foot, with a matcha ice cream in hand!
