Classic Arashiyama: From Togetsukyo Bridge to Tenryu-ji Temple and the Chikurin-no-Komichi Path

From Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Oi River, head to the World Heritage site of Tenryu-ji Temple. After paying your respects at Nonomiya-jinja Shrine, associated with the Saio imperial princesses, walk along the bamboo-lined Chikurin-no-Komichi Path to reach Okochi Sanso Villa at the foot of Mt. Ogura. This walking course takes you through the classic sights of Arashiyama and Sagano.

History and Regional Appeal

The Oi River flowing at the foot of Arashiyama is also known as the Katsura River, separating Sagano and Arashiyama. Since the Heian period, Sagano has been known as a scenic area where imperial family members and aristocrats established detached palaces and villas. The grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple are the former site of Danrin-ji Temple, a Zen temple founded by the empress of Emperor Saga; later, Retired Emperor Gosaga built an imperial villa here, and Retired Emperor Kameyama also maintained a temporary palace. It is said that the name Togetsukyo ("Moon Crossing Bridge") originated from the words of Retired Emperor Kameyama as he gazed at the moon appearing to cross over the bridge.

In 1339 (the second year of the Ryakuo era), Ashikaga Takauji founded Tenryu-ji Temple to pray for the soul of Emperor Godaigo, inviting Muso Soseki as its founding abbot. The temple precincts were once about ten times larger than they are today, encompassing Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge. Togetsukyo Bridge is also counted among the "Ten Views of Tenryu-ji Temple" selected by Muso Soseki. Sagano was also home to Nonomiya, where the Saio princesses serving at Ise-jingu Shrine purified themselves, and its bamboo grove has been selected as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan to be Preserved as "Bamboo Groves of Kyoto." In the Showa period, period film star Okochi Denjiro spent 30 years building a villa at the foot of Mt. Ogura.

Highlights

• ​Togetsukyo Bridge​​: Arashiyama's representative sight with a length of 155 meters. The present bridge was completed in 1934 (Showa 9), featuring reinforced concrete piers and beams, with Japanese cypress used only for the railings. Arashiyama in the background and the bridge blend into a single scenic view.
• ​Tenryu-ji Temple​​: The head temple of the Rinzai sect's Tenryu-ji branch and part of the World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." Sogenchi Garden, which preserves the appearance of when it was designed by Muso Soseki, was the first garden in Japan designated as a Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty, incorporating Arashiyama and Mt. Kameyama into its landscape. On the ceiling of the Hatto (Dharma Hall) is the "Cloud Dragon" painted by Kayama Matazo, which glares in all eight directions.
• ​Nonomiya-jinja Shrine​​: A shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami as Nonomiya Okami. The kuroki torii gate made of unpeeled logs—the oldest style of torii—and the brushwood fences convey the atmosphere of the Heian period. Depicted in the "Sakaki" chapter of The Tale of Genji, it is now revered as a shrine for matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth.
• ​Arashiyama Bamboo Grove​​: Centered around the roughly 400-meter-long Chikurin-no-Komichi Path stretching from Nonomiya-jinja Shrine past the north gate of Tenryu-ji Temple to Okochi Sanso Villa. Orderly stands of bamboo flank both sides, and the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind is regarded as a soundscape of the ancient capital to be passed down to the future.
• ​Okochi Sanso Villa​​: A villa designed and built by Okochi Denjiro, who fell in love with the view from Mt. Ogura and continued constructing it from age 34 until his death at age 64. Set within a stroll-style borrowed-scenery garden overlooking Mt. Hiei and the cityscape of Kyoto, it contains structures designated as National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, including Daijokaku and Tekisuian.

Recommended Route and Required Time

The estimated time for the entire route is around 5 hours. Togetsukyo Bridge is a 2-minute walk from Randen Arashiyama Station and 8 minutes from Hankyu Arashiyama Station. Walking about 580 meters northwest from Togetsukyo Bridge brings you to Tenryu-ji Temple. Tenryu-ji Temple is located right outside Randen Arashiyama Station; take your time touring Sogenchi Garden and the Hatto.

Nonomiya-jinja Shrine is about 200 meters northeast of Tenryu-ji Temple. As the Chikurin-no-Komichi Path runs right by Nonomiya-jinja Shrine, walk west along the path from here. The path passes in front of Tenryu-ji Temple's north gate and continues to Okochi Sanso Villa. Information from the Ministry of the Environment cites the north side of Tenryu-ji Temple as an area where the sounds of the bamboo grove can be heard well. About 350 meters north of Okochi Sanso Villa lies Jojakko-ji Temple, allowing you to extend your walk to temples in Okusagano. On your return, it is about a 10-minute walk from the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Randen Arashiyama Station and about 13 minutes to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.

Many visitors come to the area around Togetsukyo Bridge during the spring cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. While the bamboo grove can be enjoyed throughout the year, the green of the fresh bamboo is especially vivid from May to June.

Summary of the Experience

From Togetsukyo Bridge, over which the moon was said to appear to cross, to Muso Soseki's garden, the Saio's Nonomiya, the rustling bamboo path, and the villa that a period film star spent 30 years creating. You can thoroughly savor the history and scenery of Arashiyama and Sagano in a single day.