A day well spent in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
On the Western edge of Kyoto is a quiet neighborhood surrounded by tall mountains, an iconic bamboo grove, and the Katsura River flowing through it all. Only about a 30 minute train from central Kyoto, and will feel like a little getaway to your getaway. Here are some places that stand out.
Morning
% Arabica Coffee
% Arabica coffee
This Japanese founded coffee company brews top quality coffee drinks with an incredible view of the Katsura River right outside the shop. Open by 9am everyday, this makes it the perfect place to start the day at.
Chavaty
If coffee isn’t for you, Chavaty has what seems like every variety of tea imaginable. From hot or iced tea lattes, herbal teas, and inventive fruit tea concoctions. Plus homemade scones, pies, and savory crepes too. In the warmer season, they serve some pretty famous hojicha soft serve as well.
Saganoyu 嵯峨野湯
This space was originally a sentō bath house built in the late Taisho Era. Today, you can eat seasonal pancakes in its original tiled shower stalls. The atmosphere here stills leaves you feeling relaxed with so many of the original details intact. Next door is the famous Japanese camping brand, Snow Peak, shop and cafe that is also fun to day dream at.
Ranbura Bicycle Rentals
Open by 9am and just outside Arashiyama Station is this tiny bike rental shop with 3 hour or full day bike rental rates, plus e-bike options as well. This is the most fun way to get to know Arashiyama - and discovering new areas you wouldn’t think of walking through.
Sagano-yu
Left, Saganoyu interior with original details. Above, tofu pasta lunch from Saganoyu.
Afternoon
Bamboo Forest Path
Nestled between Tenryuji temple and Nonomiya Shrine is the iconic Bamboo Forest Path. So often we get see bamboo used in countless ways: buildings, fencing, baskets and other crafts, instruments, etc. However, rarely do we get to enjoy it in it’s beautiful and natural state. Even the sound of the thin leaves at the top on a windy day is such a relaxing experience.
Okochi Sanso Garden
Located at the edge of Kameyama Park is a serene Japanese garden offering a variety of native plants and an observation point to take in the views of Arashiyama. Like most Japanese gardens, it also has a tea house serving matcha & sweets.
Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
This quiet & traditional street is lined with beautiful architecture with straw thatched roofs, plus mochi shops and moss covered temples like Adashino Nenbutsuji and Gio-Ji. If you’re looking for lunch in this area, I recommend Sabou Sagano. It’s a retro style Japanese diner owned & operated by two elderly women. They make triangle sandwiches, the classic Japanese napolitan pasta (ketchup spaghetti), and impressive looking sundaes.
Kotouen
Not far from Sabou Sagano is Kotouen workshop. Well known for its Takuni figures and an incredibly friendly shop owner. Kotouen is a peaceful indoor/outdoor pottery shop full of one of a kind pieces, all handmade by the owner himself. His core values to his art is to create something that will be kept for generations. It’s so easy to buy mass produced things today that make you quickly lose interest. This gallery is so fun to wander and admire all of the unique pieces. Prices range from single sake cups for ¥1,000 to vases for ¥20,000.
Kotouen
Sabou Sagano
beer vending machine, a rare sighting in Japan
biking through Saga Toriimoto
a mochi cafe along Saga Toriimoto
Kotouen
Evening
Kijurou
This serene restaurant offers a beautiful view of their Japanese style garden with melt in your mouth wagyu beef set meals in various price ranges.
Shintogetsu 新渡月
This humble udon spot handmakes their own thick noodles for their famous meat, seafood, or duck broths.
儘 MAMA
This Italian restaurant still has a very luxurious Japanese exterior and modern Western interior, all while surprisingly playing East Coast rap throwbacks. Their pizza menu is unique and offers half & half portions if you can’t decide.
Fu-Fu-no-yu Onsen
On the other side of the Nakanoshima Bridge is the neighborhood hot spring with both indoor and outdoor baths and saunas. During the week the day fee is ¥1,000 and ¥1,200 on the weekends and holidays. Is it totally okay to arrive empty handed as a towel rental is ¥200 and small wash cloth are available for purchase for ¥100, plus soaps are provided in the shower rooms.
photo by Fu-Fu-No-Yu Onsen