During my 4 day stay in Kyoto, I have a day set aside for Arashiyama. I plan to go there October 31st, which is a Tuesday. I’m not usually a “timed itinerary” person, but I wanted to hear people’s opinions on what I am scheming.
Here’s my plan…
* 6:00-7:00: Take public transport. Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Sation>Nijo Station>Saga-Arashiyama Station
* 7:00-7:45: Walk to Bamboo Grove (15 min). Hang out there for a bit.
* 7:45-8:45: Walk from Bamboo Grove to Otagi Nenbutsuji (30 min). Leave time for distractions.
* 8:45-9:30: Hang out at/around Otagi Nenbutsuji
* 9:30-11:00: Walk from Otagi Nenbutsuji to Togetsukyo Bridge (35 min). Stop at Adashino Nenbutsuji and/or Gio-Ji.
* 11:00-13:30: Walk from the bridge to Monkey Park (10 min). Do the hike up, see some monkeys, and come back (setting aside 2 hours).
After that, I’d play it by ear. Get some food, maybe rest in the park. Then wrap up by stopping at Tenryuji on the way back to the train station.
Some questions:
* In general, how does this look? Too much?
* Are there any of your “must-sees” in the area that I am missing?
* I tried padding the times here a good bit, but does this seem realistic to accomplish by 13:30-14:00?
* I was planning to train back to my hotel area in Downtown Kyoto, unless there is somewhere I should stop before I head back?
5 comments
Do you have a specific reason for going all the way to Otagi Nenbutsuji? I ask because I was going to do something similar and then hit the temples on the way back, but it’s a further walk, and more uphill, than you might think. I made it to Adashino Nenbutsuji and decided to just start there ans then did the other temples along the road back to Tenryu-ji. I was there in 98 degree heat, so you might have an easier time in October. Unless you’re a speed walker and don’t want to take pictures of the temples or pause for a drink, it may take longer than you have planned. Each temple has a ton of stairs and several buildings/places within it and the walk itself is very scenic (and can get crowded).
U should check boat ride along the river in Arashiyama.
That was beautiful.
Then,it is also good to try sky bus tour in evening.
It’s going to take you longer than 30 minutes to walk to Otagi Nenbutsuji. And it’s entirely uphill. I suggest taking a taxi or bus (there is a small bus stop right across the street from it) to the temple, and then making the walk down the hill. A taxi from roughly the Bamboo Grove to Otagi Nenbutsuji cost about 1300 yen.
That being said, it was an awesome temple and definitely worth the visit.
I just did Arashiyama less than a week ago on my trip and saw a lot of these spots.
I would recommend Otagi, even though its a bit of a hike up there. The stone statues were really cool and interesting.
I personally liked Jojakko-Ji more than either Adashi or Gio-Ji. Jojakko was probably my favorite part of Arashiyama other than Saiho-Ji, which I would also recommend (although its a little tricky to visit as it’s a bit further out and requires a reservation that you have to request by snail mail)
Mikami Shrine is also close between Jojakko and the Bamboo Forest and is a quick stop. Mikami has a bit of interesting history as being a shrine associated with the protection and growth of hair.
Monkey Park was cool, but the hike up was pretty rough for me and my group. Its not insane, but it’s longer than Google Maps makes it look. If you hike a lot, it should not be an issue, but it might be tough if you have already done a lot of walking/hiking that day.
I took a train to arashiyama and then walked to Otagi Nenbutsuji then hiked up Mt. Atago to see Atago Shrine.
This was my favorite day in Japan
the uphill to Otagi nenbutsuji isn’t bad if you’re in shape. The walk is incredible too.
I also did this last week, where the heat and humidity were brutal, but I enjoy type 2 fun