Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto, Japan
Arashiyama, Kyoto
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Photo: Naokijp, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500
- Hours
- Grove always open; Tenryu-ji 8:30–17:00 (garden from 7:30, 14–30 November 2026)
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 3 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Bamboo grove
- Free, always open
- Tenryu-ji garden
- ¥500; elementary and middle school ¥300
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Tenryu-ji buildings
- Plus ¥300; Cloud Dragon painting ¥500 extra
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Tenryu-ji hours
- 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:50
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - November 2026
- Sogen garden opens at 7:30 (14–30 November)
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Getting there
- JR Sagano line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama ≈ 15 minutes
Key facts
'Storm Mountain'what the name Arashiyama means
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en.wikipediaProtectedthe district is a national historic site and place of scenic beauty
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en.wikipediaTenryu-jihead temple of one of the 15 Rinzai branches, a UNESCO site
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tenryuji.comTogetsukyothe 'Moon Crossing Bridge' — cherry and maple views
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en.wikipedia170+monkeys live in Iwatayama park on the slope
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en.wikipediaOkochi Sansothe home and gardens of film actor Denjiro Okochi
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en.wikipedia¥500Tenryu-ji garden entry
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tenryuji.com≈ 15 minby JR train from Kyoto Station
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travel guidesWhat is Arashiyama?
Arashiyama ('Storm Mountain') is a scenic district on Kyoto's western edge, by the Oi River and the mountain of the same name, and a national historic site and place of scenic beauty. People come for Kyoto's most recognisable view — the Sagano Bamboo Grove, where a path runs between towering green stalks.
Nearby is the Zen temple Tenryu-ji, head of a branch of the Rinzai school and a UNESCO site, with its garden by Sogen pond. The Togetsukyo ('Moon Crossing') bridge spans the river, Iwatayama Monkey Park sits on the mountainside, and beyond the grove is Okochi Sanso, a villa with gardens and city views.
How the district works
From Saga-Arashiyama or Arashiyama (Keifuku) station it's a short walk to the main shopping street and Tenryu-ji. According to the official site, the temple opens 8:30 to 17:00; garden entry is ¥500 for high-schoolers and adults, ¥300 for elementary and middle-school pupils, and free for preschoolers; the buildings are ¥300 more. The Cloud Dragon ceiling painting in the Hatto hall costs ¥500 separately and is shown only in seasonal exhibitions: in autumn 2026, from 19 September to 6 December.
The garden's north exit leads straight into the bamboo grove. Beyond are Okochi Sanso, the Sagano romantic train along the gorge and boats on the Hozu River. To the south are Togetsukyo bridge and the monkey park on the mountainside.
What to see
- Sagano Bamboo Grove — the district's signature view.
- Tenryu-ji temple and its Sogen pond garden.
- The Cloud Dragon painting in the Hatto hall.
- Togetsukyo bridge over the river.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park on the mountainside.
- Okochi Sanso villa with gardens and Kyoto views.
How to get to Arashiyama
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- JR Sagano line — from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama, about 15 minutes.
- Keifuku (Randen) line — tram to Arashiyama station, on the main street.
- Hankyu line — to Arashiyama station, across Togetsukyo bridge.
- Buses 61, 72, 83 — to the Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae stop.
- From Kansai airport — Haruka to Kyoto Station, then the JR Sagano line.
The grove or Tenryu-ji
| Bamboo groveyou are here | Free | Always | ≈ 10–20 minutes | Very heavy by day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenryu-ji | Garden ¥500 | 8:30–17:00 | ≈ 45–60 minutes | Busy but roomier |
How long do you need?
Arashiyama takes half a day: the grove, Tenryu-ji, the bridge and a stroll along the main street. With the romantic train, boats or the monkey park, a full day.
A good order is the grove early in the morning, Tenryu-ji at opening, then Togetsukyo bridge and lunch. In autumn, from mid-November, the maples on the slopes are at their best — and the crowds at their biggest.
Is Arashiyama worth visiting?
Yes: the bamboo grove, a Zen garden and the river with its mountains make one of the loveliest trips from central Kyoto, just 15 minutes by train.
The YesGo take: by day the grove is one of Japan's most crowded places, and it's shorter in person than it looks in photos. Arrive by 8 am, be sure to visit the Tenryu-ji garden, and carry on past the grove to Okochi Sanso, where it's much quieter.
Before you go: checklist
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Kyoto nature and views: compare and choose
Natural sights and views in Kyoto rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Fushimi Inari Shrine | 55 | 2 h | Free | 10.8 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiyomizu-dera | 51 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ ¥500 | 10.9 km |
| Kinkaku-ji | 48 | 45 min | ¥500 | 6.6 km |
| Arashiyamayou are here | 28 | 3 h | Free | — |
Western Kyoto in a day
The bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama in the morning, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji in the afternoon, and the Ryoan-ji rock garden towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Arashiyamayou are here3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500
- 114 min walk from the previous stopKinkaku-ji45 min · ¥500
- 19 min walk from the previous stopRyoan-ji45 min · ¥600
3 places · about 6 h 43 min with walks · 133 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Reach the grove by 8 am.
- Tenryu-ji's garden exits straight into the grove.
- Past the grove, by Okochi Sanso, it's quieter.
- Autumn maples from mid-November.
- Next: Kinkaku-ji.
Questions
How much is the bamboo grove?
It's free and always open.
How much is Tenryu-ji?
Garden ¥500, buildings ¥300 more, the Cloud Dragon ¥500 separately.
What are Tenryu-ji's hours?
8:30–17:00, last entry 16:50.
When should I visit the grove?
By 8 am or earlier — it's very crowded by day.
How do I get there?
JR Sagano line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama, about 15 minutes.
How long do you need?
Half a day, a full day with the Sagano train or boats.
What is Iwatayama park?
A park on the mountainside that's home to more than 170 monkeys.
When is it most beautiful?
In autumn from mid-November, and in spring at cherry-blossom time.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Tenryu-ji official site (tenryuji.com/en) — hours, prices, Cloud Dragon, early opening in November 2026, buses (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Arashiyama — name, status, grove, bridge, monkey park, Okochi Sanso, transport
- Travel guides — journey time, grove tips (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q2859566 — coordinates
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