Hotels near Arashiyama
Japan, 〒616-8385 京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町６８
Arashiyama is three things at once in autumn: the Sogenchi pond garden at Tenryu-ji, the Togetsukyo Bridge with Mount Arashiyama turning behind it, and the Sagano Scenic Railway running 7.3 km through the Hozugawa gorge in 25 minutes for 880 yen. Tenryu-ji charges 500 yen for the garden and opens 8:30 to 17:00, with a special 7:30 opening from 14 to 30 November 2026. The bridge is free and open at all hours.
That 7:30 opening exists because Arashiyama is the most congested district in Kyoto in late November, and 10:00 to 15:00 is close to unworkable. Every seat on the Sagano railway is reserved, sales open a month before travel, and autumn departures sell out, so book the moment your dates are fixed. Two honest warnings: the railway is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and the current rolling stock is being retired during 2026, with new vehicles testing from August, so confirm the timetable.
Pro Tip: Take the first JR train out and be at the Tenryu-ji gate for 7:30. Do the garden, then walk the Togetsukyo Bridge before 9:00 while the police are not yet controlling pedestrian flow, and take a mid-morning railway departure from Torokko Saga rather than an afternoon one.
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