When you think of sightseeing in Kyoto, you might picture busy crowds. But if you venture just a little farther, you’ll find plenty of charming spots where you can take your time and enjoy, rivaling the city’s most famous attractions. Here are three recommended spots in the iconic Sagano and Arashiyama area.
Nestled on the mountainside of Sagano in western Kyoto, this historical temple offers a serene escape. The spacious grounds are home to various mosses and maple trees. In autumn, the lush green landscape transforms into a vivid mix of red, orange, and yellow. The red Japanese maple, the yellow great-leaf maple, and a hybrid of the two create beautiful natural gradations of color.
| Access | Arashiyama Sta. (Keifuku Electric Railroad) → 25 min walk Kyoto Sta. → 45 min by bus → Saga Elementary School stop → 15 min walk |
| Business hours | 9:00–17:00 (admission until 16:30) |
| Regular holiday | December 28–January 3 |
| URL | https://jojakko-ji.or.jp/ |
Founded in 1379, this historical Zen temple features a moss garden, bamboo groves, and numerous Important Cultural Properties, offering quintessentially Kyoto scenery. In particular, the approach just beyond the main gate is famed for its maple arch, a fine sight whether adorned with vibrant green leaves in spring and summer or fiery autumn foliage. Although it is conveniently located from Arashiyama Sta., the temple remains relatively uncrowded, making it an ideal place to spend a peaceful, contemplative moment.
| Access |
JR Saga-Arashiyama Sta. → 5 min walk Rokuoin Sta. (Keifuku Arashiyama Line) → 3 min walk Kyoto City Bus / Kyoto Bus Shimosaga stop → 3 min walk |
| Business hours | 9:00–17:00 |
| Regular holiday | Open 365 days |
| URL | https://rokuouin.com/ |
Known locally for the Jusan Mairi (“Thirteen-Year-Old Visit”), this temple is where 13-year-olds, by traditional Japanese age reckoning, come offer prayers as a rite of passage into adulthood. The viewing platform in the precincts is a hidden gem, offering sweeping views of Togetsukyo Bridge—an iconic symbol of Arashiyama—and the town of Sagano. The temple also houses Dendengu Shrine, dedicated to the protection of electricity and electrical communications. A unique charm in the shape of an SD card contains an image of Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akasagarbha Bodhisattva) inside!
| Access |
Arashiyama Sta. (Hankyu Railway) → 5 min walk Kyoto City Bus Hankyu Arashiyama Sta. stop → 5 min walk |
| Business hours | 9:00–17:00 |
| Regular holiday | Open daily |
| URL | https://www.kokuzohourinji.com/ |
