12+ Magical Things to Do in Arashiyama on a Day Trip from Kyoto (2026)!

Arashiyama is one of the most popular day trips from Kyoto in Japan, and for good reason.

This whimsical area of natural beauty is famous for the Sagano Bamboo Forest. However, there are plenty of attractions to visit for all interests.

Although it can be overcrowded in the main thoroughfare, there are also hidden gems to find away from the crowds.

My friend and I visited Arashiyama as part of our trip to Kyoto in autumn and loved every second.

It’s like a portal that takes you back in time, filled with temples, wildlife, art galleries, cafés and boutiques.

Here are all the magical things to do in Arashiyama on a day trip from Kyoto.

Why visit Arashiyama in Japan?

Arashiyama has been a popular tourist destination since the Heian Period in the 8th century. 

Most visitors know Arashiyama for the famous Sagano Bamboo Forest. However, it has so much more to offer than a pretty tree grove.

Set around the scenic Ōi River that snakes by the Arashiyama Mountains, there are plenty of natural beauty spots to find. 

You can visit a wealth of sacred temples, historic streets and art galleries.

There’s also a vibrant shopping area filled with cafés, restaurants, bakeries and kawaii character boutiques. 

It’s a charming place that feels like you’ve travelled back through time, and it makes the perfect day trip when travelling in Kyoto. 

How to visit Arashiyama from Kyoto

Arashiyama is a very popular day trip from Kyoto, as it’s quick and easy to visit from the city centre.

From Kyoto Station, it takes about 20 minutes to reach Arashiyama by JR train, or you can take the purple Keifuku Randen Tram (it’s super cute).

If you decide to take the tram, you’ll arrive at Arashiyama Tram Station, which is right on the main shopping street. 

If you decide to take the train, you’ll arrive at JR Saga-Arashiyama Train Station, which is a quick 10-minute walk to the main attractions. 

You can also opt to take a local bus or even arrive by boat ride through the Hozugawa River.

There’s no right or wrong way to travel there. It all depends on the proximity of your hotel to the tram/train/bus stations and what’s quicker.

We took the JR train there in the morning as the station was closer to our hotel, and then the Randen Tram back in the evening. 

You can pay using an IC Card. I had a Suica Travel Card downloaded to my phone, which made paying for transport and card top-ups simple. 

Best things to do in Arashiyama

Most visitors head to Arashiyama to visit the famous Sagano Bamboo Forest. But there are plenty of places to visit otherwise.

I would set aside an entire day in your Japan itinerary as there are almost too many temples, art galleries, shops, cafés and areas of beauty to find. 

Here are all the magical things to do in Arashiyama from Kyoto on a day trip. 

1. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

The star attraction of Arashiyama is the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

It’s a fairytale grove filled with sky-high bamboo trees, and it’s a gorgeous place to take a stroll and for photography. 

But it’s most definitely an “Instagram vs. Reality” location these days. It’s completely crowded, and you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with tourists.

It’s open 24 hours, and you can walk through here for free. Or, you can pay for one of the human-pulled rickshaws to take you around.

I was fully intending to get up stupidly early for sunrise to visit this place. But all the early wake-up calls in Kyoto were getting to me.

So, we took a stroll after sunset and found it much quieter. There were still people, but nowhere near as many as when we first visited mid-morning.

Although the crowds can be frustrating, don’t worry. This bamboo forest is not the only one you can visit in Arashiyama or in Japan, for that matter.

We found a much quieter location where we could enjoy a ‘secret’ bamboo grove in peace. So, make sure to keep reading this post for the location. 

2. Arashiyama Rilakkuma Teahouse  

If you love the lazy bear Rilakkuma, then you must stop by the Arashiyama Rilakkuma Teahouse.

It’s a kawaii paradise with a café, a huge shop and a honey stand with takeaway options.

This was one of the main reasons why my friend and I wanted to visit, and this whimsical place was a dream come true for us as Rilakkuma fans. 

In the café, you can find themed drinks, meals and sweet treats shaped like the adorable kuma and his friends.

At the time of writing, you can’t reserve tables in advance. You must show up on the day and enter a virtual queue. 

While you wait for a table, you can browse the boutique that sells exclusive Rilakkuma merchandise.

Also, make sure you head to the back of the teahouse to pose for photos with the Rilakkuma Bamboo Grove, stone statues and artwork. 

3. Katsura River & Togetsukyō Bridge

After you’ve walked down the main shopping street, you’ll arrive at the scenic Katsura River (Ōi River).

You can cross the historic Togetsukyō Bridge. It spans 155 metres and is a historic gateway to the Arashiyama Mountains. 

Togetsukyō translates to “Moon Crossing”, and the poetic name comes from a 12th-century legend of Emperor Kameyama.

He was boating on the river, and he watched the moon arc over the sky. To him, it appeared as if the moon was crossing the bridge.

The river has walking paths where you can take a stroll beside the water. 

In autumn, all the trees and swaying branches had bright red and orange leaves. It looked like a scene plucked out of the pages of a fairytale. 

You can also take a ride on a traditional wooden boat to enjoy the sights on the Hozugawa River. 

4. Arashiyama Yusai-Tei Gallery

As we were visiting Arashiyama in autumn, one of the attractions I was most excited to visit was the Yusai-Tei Gallery.

It’s an art exhibit set within an 800-year-old Meiji-era wooden building on the banks of the Kasura River. 

Founded by the dye artist Yusai Okuda, this exhibition has been created for visitors to experience traditional Japanese art and culture.

Using round windows and exquisitely prepared silk screens, the museum allows you to look out at nature, making the effect appear as a painting. 

There are also other areas where you can play with water reflections, and you can relax on panoramic balconies overlooking the river.

You do have to book tickets online, and it’s highly recommended to do this in advance in the fall. 

One thing to note is that the rooms run on a rotation system during autumn, so you may have to queue to enter the gallery.

The visiting rules are quite strict and enforced by staff. First, you need to take off your shoes and put them in a plastic bag while indoors.

You must also remain silent, move when asked (they ring a bell), and you can’t take selfies or photos of others while inside.

5. Arashiyama Miffy Bakery 

Another one of the best things to do in Arashiyama is to visit the Miffy Bakery. 

The Arashiyama Miffy Sakura Kitchen is a gorgeous shop on the main tourist street that has a small takeaway café.

They prepare Miffy-shaped treats throughout the day. You must try their famous Miffy bread buns. They come with sweet red bean filling. 

A lot of the freshly baked goods at the Miffy Bakery do tend to sell out by late morning. So, I would stop by here early so you don’t miss out. 

Afterwards, you can explore their shop filled with pink sakura trees and gorgeous Miffy merchandise.

They sell exclusive Miffy bread plushies, magnets, badges and plush charms. I could have spent hours inside admiring everything. 

6. Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street

If you want to escape the crowds of Arashiyama around the main tourist street and bamboo grove, head to Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street.

It’s a gorgeous historic area that feels as if you’ve stepped back in time. You’ll find boutiques, workshops, cafés and sacred temples with fewer crowds. 

As soon as we entered this area, it felt like we could finally breathe a little, away from the hustle and bustle. 

If you’re looking for a place to relax, make sure to stop by Coffee Java.Java (Japone Coffee). 

They serve up tasty ‘Japone coffees’, teas, iced matcha, Honey Yuzu lemonade and a selection of sweet treats. 

7. Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple & Bamboo Forest

Remember I mentioned a far quieter bamboo forest earlier in this post? Well, you can find it at Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple.

This can be found off the Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street and is truly a hidden gem in Arashiyama. 

It was founded by the venerable monk Kukai in the 8th century and contains 8,000 stone images.

They have been placed here to commemorate the souls of those who have passed without family or kin. 

At the back of the temple grounds, you can find a gorgeous bamboo forest, which is off the radar for most tourists. 

We got some beautiful photos here in the late afternoon just before the sun was due to set. 

There was barely anyone there, and it made such a difference, as you could explore in relative peace. 

The staff at the temple placed lanterns in the grove to light the way at dusk, and it was all so enchanting. 

Admission to the temple is 500 yen, but it’s worth every penny to visit this peaceful bamboo grove without the masses. 

8. Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

Another sacred temple that I recommend visiting is the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. Or, the “temple of a thousand faces”.

This was easily one of my favourite temples that I visited in all of Japan as it’s so captivating and unique. 

The Buddhist temple dates back to the 8th century and contains over 1,200 whimsical arhat stone statues. 

Over time, these have become engulfed by green moss and foliage, and the entire complex is a delight to explore. 

You can find temples, pavilions, waterfalls and statues on the trail. The statues all have their own personalities too, and it’s wonderfully bizarre. 

In autumn, visiting this temple was breathtaking as the complex was surrounded by red and orange trees.

As you leave, they have a series of photo zones with statues you can pose with. These sometimes have a queue, but it’s worth waiting for. 

It’s open from 8.30 am to 4 pm each day and costs 1,000 yen (£4.50 / $6) for entry. 

9. Iwatayama Monkey Park 

Another one of the most popular things to do in Arashiyama is to visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park.

This area is filled with over 120 wild macaques, which can be found in the Arashiyama Mountains. 

It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the top, and you do have to climb around 100 steps at the very beginning; after that, it’s a gentle slope.

You’ll find the monkeys are free to roam here, and there is an opportunity to feed them in a mountain hut. 

If you head up to the very top, you can get great views of Kyoto city on a clear day, as the viewpoint is 160 metres above sea level.

10. Snoopy Chocolat Shop

Japan is obsessed with the kawaii beagle Snoopy and his friend Woodstock.

You can find the highly popular Snoopy Chocolat Shop on the main tourist street.

It specialises in Peanuts-themed goods, and you can find boxes of chocolates, truffles and biscuits on the shelves.

There’s also a delightful selection of Snoopy merchandise like plushies, bags, and coffee mugs to purchase. 

I’m obsessed with Snoopy, so I loved visiting this place. I wanted to buy everything.

11. Find Tanuki Statues

It was on my visit to Kyoto that I first saw Tanuki, or the raccoon dogs, in Japan. I quickly became obsessed with them. 

They are talismans placed outside of people’s homes for good luck, and their presence is thought to bring monetary fortune to the owner’s door. 

A Tanuki is usually presented sitting on huge money bags (literally his ball bags). The bigger the bags, the bigger the fortune. 

There are several craft workshops where you can buy Tanuki statues in Arashiyama. I bought a small talisman I now keep on my desk.

If you also love Tanuki, you can visit an entire Tanuki Street dedicated to these raccoon dogs in Tokyo near Senso-Ji Temple. 

12. Kimono Forest 

Lastly, if you’re looking for things to do in Arashiyama at night, then I recommend visiting the Kimono Forest.

It’s a free textile installation beside Randem Tram Station and is an area lined with 600 clear cylindrical pillars. 

Each pillar is filled with colourfully patterned kimono material, and together, they make a magical illuminated pathway. 

In the middle, you can find a Dragon Pond or ‘Ryu-no-atago’ where you can throw a coin and make a wish.

It doesn’t take a long time to explore and is completely free to visit. It’s also full of beautiful photo opportunities.  

It’s open 24 hours a day, but the best time to visit is well after sunset when the sky is completely dark. 

Is Arashiyama worth visiting?

Yes, Arashiyama is definitely worth visiting. Although most tourists head here to visit Sagano Bamboo Forest, it offers more than just one attraction. 

There are plenty of things to do in Arashiyama for every type of interest, whether you like art, nature, temples, or kawaii characters. 

Yes, it is extremely crowded on the main tourist street and around the bamboo grove.

But there are plenty of hidden gems to find if you walk just 15 minutes away from the main hub. 

Arashiyama was one of my favourite days out in Japan, and I would go back to explore even more of its whimsical attractions in a heartbeat. 

This magical place is definitely worth your time, and an adventure here is something you’ll never forget. 

How many days do you need in Arashiyama? 

My friend and I found that one day in Arashiyama is more than enough. 

Don’t get me wrong; it is a beautiful place worth visiting. But I was happy to leave by the end of the day as it was so crowded there.  

I don’t think I could have dealt with two days, as you could barely walk around in some places.

The only time I would recommend staying over in Arashiyama is if you want to wake up super early and beat the crowds. 

Otherwise, visiting Arashiyama from Kyoto as a day trip while travelling through Japan is perfect.

Important travel tips

• Arashiyama is extremely crowded during the day. I recommend visiting as early as possible to beat the crowds. 

• Head to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple for a quieter bamboo forest experience. The main forest is choc-a-bloc all day. 

• Make sure to bring cash with you to pay for temple tickets, Goshuin stamps, and to purchase talismans. 

• Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Also, try to pick a dry day, as most Arashiyama attractions are outside. 

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