What You Will Do
Get away from the crowds and spend a wonderful day in Arashiyama which will undoubtedly stand out in your mind as you think back to your time here in Kyoto.
We begin with a morning stroll through the lush garden of one of Japan’s first Zen temples dating back over 1,000 years. We then head into the foothills and as we peacefully stroll back to town we visit twelve hundred stone Buddhas on a hillside, an Edo period cafe, an ancient burial ground, a temple founded by two former geisha, a working pottery studio, the villa of a silent film actor, a majestic bamboo grove, and the "shrine of love'. All this as we browse shops filled with handmade goods and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch.
Important Note: Each guest is required to bring an additional 5,500 yen (cash) for admission tickets and lunch.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
We will meet in front of the station. If you need directions to the meeting point please let me know where you are coming from and I will gladly send you the route.
1
Togetsukyo Bridge
20 minutes
Start the day at this bridge, one of the most iconic images of Kyoto.
2
Tenryuji Temple
1 hour
Visit one of the first Zen temples in Japan, home to a masterpiece Zen garden.
3
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
1 hour
Walk the grounds of this temple with history going back to the Heian period. Your guide will tell you about the 1,200 stone buddha statues that you will spend time with here.
4
Ayuchaya Hiranoya
1 hour
We will enjoy tea and sweets at this cafe which originated in the Edo period.
5
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
1 hour
You will see over 8,000 memorial stones gathered from the surrounding mountains and placed together on this site. Walk through a small but very picturesque bamboo grove.
6
Gio-ji Temple
30 minutes
Visit what was once a nunnery founded by two ex-geisha. Walk through the moss garden surrounded by bamboo.
7
Okochi Sanso Garden
1 hour
Spend time on the sprawling estate of a well known silent film actor. The views from this site are some of the best in all of Arashiyama
8
The Bamboo Forest Trail
30 minutes
Travel through the well known Sagano Bamboo Grove.
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