Whenever you type in google and search “Where to go in Kyoto?” One of the most seen recommendations is ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST. And I might say it is worth visiting. So here I am trying to give a suggestion on how to enjoy a day in Arashiyama.
Now usually here you would see a few sentences of what Arashiyama is but since google is free and plus it’ll be a long read, I’ll just skip and say that Arashiyama is a district in Kyoto, and it is about 30 to 40 minute of train ride from central Kyoto.
So first things first, getting there, usually you just need to get to Saga-Arashiyama station from Kyoto station but if you want to experience a more wholesome trip there you should start from Umahori Station then walk to Kameoka-Torokko St then take the Sagano Romantic train back to Arashiyama Torokko Station.
Below are the visual on the trip which is the pictures i took when i went there last December.
I suggest you coming an hour early than the scheduled time for the Sagano Romantic train. Though the walk from Umahori St to Kameoka Torokko St is only about 10 minute walk but it was a beautiful walk. And there’s a small cafe in the way that oversee the beautiful view.
I’m not quite sure what’s the name of the cafe is but they serve some sweet potato, soup and they got some beverages as well. You can see the cafe from this TikTok : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNKk6PtH/
When you arrive at the station there also a small merchandise store so you can shop a little whilst waiting for the train.
Btw you can buy the Sagano Romantic Train ticket from their JR website : West Japan Railway Company — Select Train (westjr.co.jp)
There you can choose the time and also the cart of the train, there are two type of cart which is the open air (the one that I purchase) or the closed one.
Granted it will be so much better to ride this Sagano Romantic car on Autumn time but i can ‘t really complain as well cause the view when i went is pretty as well.
Now after you arrive at the Arashiyama Torokko Station you will arrive right in the Arashiyama Bamboo forest. So, from there you can just walk for another 10–20 minutes and go out from the entrance of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
You can also visit the Okochi Sanso Garden on your way out. Okochi sanso is the former home and garden of the Japanese jidaigeki actor Denjirō Ōkōchi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa is open to the public for an admission fee and is known for its gardens and views of the Kyoto area.
Then the moment you head out of the Bamboo Forest you can see so many shops and restaurants in front of it. You can also ride the rickshaw tour if you like.
To be honest i am not those foodie who would queue for an hour or more for food and from my two times visit to Japan all of the restaurant i went into is very delicious so for Arashiyama i didn’t have any restaurant recommendation for you. But what is famous there is their tofu so most of the restaurant there will have tofu in their menu.
Now mind you i am Indonesian and our food are so flavorful so that is why i give this food a 3,5 out of 5. Maybe you will like it or maybe you won’t like it either way this is a decent food.
But if you can go by by just eating light food i suggest walking around and taste the snacks they have there.
Then after eating you can head to the Togetsukyo bridge and just seep in the scenery in front of you. If you have a lot of energy left, you can even hike to Arashiyama Monkey Park (it took a 20-minute hike and i have heard it is not a very easy hike so no i didn’t go to see the monkeys) and feed the monkeys.
I even say people kayaking in the river, but you need to walk further back for that.
So overall i say it is worth it to visit Arashiyama if you go to Kyoto and it doesn’t even have to be a one full day trip you can always start early then head back to Kyoto at around 3–4 pm. Then continue the day in Kyoto.
Below is the rundown time that i took when i went to Arashiyama last time so it can be a reference for your next trip :
fyi. If you bought the ticket online (and i suggest you too since it sold out quite fast) you need to exchange it first. You can exchange the ticket to physical ticket in any JR station just look for the green machine or ask the station crew there.
9 am Head out from our Airbnb to Kyoto St and find breakfast there (a lot of restaurant is not open yet so you can just find a simple breakfast in their convenience store)
10 am Then go to Umahori station from Kyoto Station. It took 25 minute to get there. Once arrive i started to walk toward Kameoka Torokko St then saw a cute cafe just on the way to the station and sit there for awhile.
11.30 am Ride the Sagano Romantic Train. It took about 20 minute to reach Torokko Arashiyama Station.
11.50 am Walk out of the station into the Bamboo Forest and start heading to the main entrance of the bamboo forest to find some lunch.
12 am Found the Ine Tofu Restaurant and have some lunch there
1 pm — 2pm Walk around the main street towards Togetsukyo Bridge ( you can shop, or buy some snacks here as well )
2pm Saw a cute little tea shop right in front of Togetsukyo bridge called Sakura and order their seasonal food and their coffee and matcha.
3 pm — 5 pm Walk around a little more then head back to Kyoto
For dinner i just had Yakiniku near my airbnb.
That is how i do my Arashiyama trip. Hope this helps you if you ever wanted to travel there. :)