Arashiyama Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto - Sagano Romantic Train & Hozugawa River Boat Ride

Depart from Osaka or Kyoto
and spend a full day in Arashiyama

Meet the driver and guide at the Osaka or Kyoto meeting point selected at booking, then drive for about 1 hour. On arrival in Arashiyama, make a short stop at Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Hozugawa River, to take photos of the valley and mountains. Togetsukyo is known as a place where aristocrats have admired the moon since the Heian period.

Walk through Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove and shrines

At Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, explore freely for about 1 hour and enjoy the Sogenchi Pond Garden. Next, visit Nonomiya Shrine, known for its black wooden torii gate (about 35 minutes), and walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where tall bamboo forms a tunnel. You will also stop at a small hair shrine (Okunoin) where people pray for healthy hair (about 25 minutes).

Look out over Arashiyama from hillside Jojakko-ji

Follow an uphill path to Jojakko-ji, set on a hillside, and explore freely for about 1 hour. Enjoy open views from the layered maple forest and quiet temple grounds. Admission to Tenryu-ji and Jojakko-ji is not included in the tour price and must be paid on site.

Ride the Sagano Romantic Train through the gorge

In the afternoon, board the Sagano Romantic Train (Sagano Torokko Train), which runs slowly along the gorge, for about 23 minutes. Look down at the Hozugawa River flowing below as you pass steep forested cliffs.

Float down the Hozugawa River on a traditional wooden boat

At the Hozugawa River boat ride departure point, board a traditional wooden boat steered by local boatmen and float through the gorge for about 2 hours. After enjoying the river scenery past rocks and small rapids, drive for about 1 hour back to your selected drop-off point.

※ The itinerary is for reference only and may change depending on local conditions.
※ The boat ride operates even in the rain, but if it is canceled due to bad weather, the time is used for extra sightseeing in Arashiyama and other spots.