Arashiyama Sightseeing Walking Tour, Kyoto

Arashiyama Sightseeing Walking Tour (Self Guided), Kyoto

Arashiyama is a picture-postcard perfect destination, an attractive district on the western outskirts of Kyoto surrounded by green-covered mountains on all sides. Wander through the leady suburbs to enjoy the beautiful sight of cherry blossoms and to visit temples, shrines and traditional restaurants and tea houses.

Center yourself and find some calm at the Tenryū-ji Temple, one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples. Go for a leisurely stroll among the pine and maple trees of its garden, the Tenryū-ji Garden. Sit by the beautiful lake and enjoy moments of quiet contemplation. From here, you can also take in views of the mountains.

One of the area's most famous landmarks is the Togetsyko Bridge which straddles the Oi River. The first crossing at this site was constructed in the eighth century during the Heian Period. The structure that we see today is the result of reconstructions in the 1930s. Look down to the surface of the water and see a wonderful reflection of the area.

Adjacent to the bridge is a fabulous riverside park with an array of cherry trees. Remember to bring your camera with you to record the breathtaking views of nature and Arashiyama district's wonderful architecture.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Arashiyama Sightseeing Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Arashiyama Sightseeing Walking Tour
Guide Location: Japan » Kyoto
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Author: Dee
Tenryū-ji Temple

1) Tenryū-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji Temple

2) Tenryū-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji Temple

3) Tenryū-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji Garden

4) Tenryū-ji Garden

Tenryū-ji Garden

5) Tenryū-ji Garden

Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Stone Statues

6) Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Stone Statues

Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō

7) Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō

Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Along the Ōi River

8) Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Along the Ōi River

Togetsukyo Bridge

9) Togetsukyo Bridge

View from Togetsukyo Bridge

10) View from Togetsukyo Bridge

View from Togetsukyo Bridge

11) View from Togetsukyo Bridge

View from Togetsukyo Bridge

12) View from Togetsukyo Bridge

Nakanoshima Bridge

13) Nakanoshima Bridge

View from Nakanoshima Bridge

14) View from Nakanoshima Bridge

Nakanoshima Park

15) Nakanoshima Park

Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto

Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kyoto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Gion District Walking Tour

Gion District Walking Tour

Famed for being one of the most mesmerizing parts of Kyoto, Gion is the area long associated with traditional Japanese entertainment, stunning temples, geisha and local eateries ideal to while away a day in the ancient capital of Japan. The district forms part of the Higashiyama (“Eastern Mountain”) neighborhood lying north and south of Shijo Street, stretching from Yasaka Shrine in the east...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Higashiyama Walking Tour

Higashiyama Walking Tour

Kyoto is a city catering for tourists, especially the ones with love of history, religion and, of course, Japanese culture. Many of Kyoto's attractions are located in the eastern part of the city, which itself is split into wards. One of them is the Higashiyama Ward, home to several famous temples of Kyoto, including centuries-old Zen and Shinto sites such as lantern-lit Yasaka shrine and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Walk on Philosopher's Path

Walk on Philosopher's Path

Extending about 2 km along a canal carrying water from Lake Biwa to the foothills, the Philosopher's Path (so called because famed Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, used to walk it as a daily meditation before WWII) is perfect for a leisurely stroll with views that change through the seasons; cherries followed by new green leaves and, then again, the pastel hues of autumn.

It's...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

The former capital of Japan, Kyoto is the city of tradition, history and culture. Attesting to this is the central part of the city, replete with historic attractions – centuries-old imperial palaces, castles and shrines that have seen a lot in the turbulent past of Kyoto. The explore the most prominent of them and to feel the breath of antiquity, follow this self-guided walk.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove Walking Tour

Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove Walking Tour

The Arashiyama district is slightly out of way for tourists – but that just means one can enjoy it more comfortably. While arguably the most popular attraction here is the 'bamboo path' with its magnificent, towering bamboos, you should also enjoy other scenic attractions such as the Ōi River and Mount Arashi, or the Monkey Park, all within walking distance and selected/described in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour

Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour

The cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is just as famous as a shopper’s paradise and is, without saying, the best place in the country to buy traditional and modern Japanese goods. Souvenirs, food, bargains and various “one-of-a-kind items” are all up for grabs here. If you would like to walk around Kyoto on your own two feet and enjoy shopping and authentic Japanese cooking, follow this...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


18 Japanese Products To Bring Home from Kyoto

18 Japanese Products To Bring Home from Kyoto

The old capital of Japan, the city of Kyoto has once again been the talk of the world lately, thanks to the bestselling "Memoirs of a Geisha" book and the namesake Hollywood blockbuster movie. Renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, Japan has so much to amaze a foreign eye with. Many of...