You should not think that the beauty of Kyoto is exhausted exclusively within its center. The suburban areas also have intense suggestions to offer to all travelers who will decide to include them in their tour of the city. We must especially remember the area, located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, known as Sagano-Arashiyama.
In fact Sagano and Arashiyama are two distinct areas: Sagano is located north of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge while Arashiyama is the area of the mountains, lying near the South Bank of the Hozu River. It is now customary, however, to consider these two areas as a single large neighborhood.
It was the nobles of the Heian period who made this area of Kyoto particularly famous. Attracted by its natural beauty and quiet climate, they chose it as a destination for their holidays. And even today this is the favorite place for all those who want to live a relaxing stay in contact with nature.
Symbol of the district, Togetsukyo Bridge harmonizes perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Behind the bridge stand the mountains with their lush forests and nearby, right along the banks of the river, there is a park with cherry trees that bloom in the spring making the romantic panorama and full of charm.
Forest or bamboo forest
Crossing the threshold of this bamboo forest will make you believe that you have literally landed in another world. In fact, you will find yourself completely surrounded by bamboo reeds and the light that filters from them is soft, surreal, almost like a fairy-tale world.
You will be lucky if you find a light breeze: with each movement the bamboo reeds emit a delicate rustle that makes the atmosphere even more fascinating if possible.
Tenryu-ji Temple
This is the largest temple in the whole neighborhood, and also the most enchanting one. It was founded in the Muromachi period, more precisely in 1339, and today is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple consists of various buildings, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Gio-ji Temple
The temples completely immersed in the Green of the forest have one more March than the others, we must admit. Because from these isolated and silent positions it is possible to get in touch with the truest and deepest part of oneself, discovering that spirituality typical of Japanese culture.
The Gio-ji Temple is just one of them, famous for the moss garden dotted with maple trees and for the thatched roofs of some of its buildings.
Daikaku-ji Temple
The building was once the residence of an emperor and only in 876 it was transformed into a Buddhist Temple of the Shingon sect. The temple is famous especially for the pond. It is a body of water of 1 km circumference that houses more than 3000 specimens of lotus flowers. Around the lake you will find cherry trees and Maples: there are, think, about 650!
Iwatayama Monkey Park
In the area of the mountains, south of the Togetsukyo Bridge, there is the entrance to the park. Here, in a large open area, you can observe hundreds of monkeys. There's no way you've seen a show like this in your life, absolutely unbelievable. From the park you can also enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
When to go...
There are some times of the year when nature in Sagano – Arashiyama offers truly spectacular views. During the first days of April, the famous cherry blossoms take place. These trees, very popular in Japan, are dressed in white flowers offering a unique spectacle.
In the middle instead of November the autumn foliage transforms the landscape into an enchanted and warm place: the trees dress in warm colors, from Brown to red, from yellow to gold, and the now dry leaves begin to fall on the ground.
These are the most loved times to visit the neighborhood. It will be crowded with tourists, it's true, but, believe us, it's really worth seeing these shows of nature at least once in a lifetime.
This does not mean that during other periods the Sagano – Arashiyama district has nothing to offer. To remember for example Hanatoro: it is an event that takes place during the month of December that provides a very special lighting of the streets. For the occasion hundreds of lanterns illuminate the neighborhood and it is possible to feel like inside a fairy tale, a place that will seem almost suspended in time and space.
Also in summer the neighborhood is fascinating: in this period it is possible to observe the ancient Japanese technique of fishing with cormorants.