Arashiyama Audio Guide

Arashiyama: what does the audio guide cover?

1. 01

   Welcome to Arashiyama

   Welcome to Arashiyama, on the northwestern side of Kyoto. A quick note on what this guide covers: it tells the story of the whole district, the temples, the river, the bamboo and the old retreats of nobles, rather than one single building or monument. Arashiyama is known worldwide for its bamboo grove and for scenery that changes with every season. The area is dotted with temples, old imperial villas and famous historical sites. Many of them are National Treasures or have been recognized as World Heritage sites. It sits between the Katsura River and forested hills, and the feeling is of a retreat from the busy streets of downtown Kyoto, even though public transportation makes it easy to reach. Over the next few stops we will look at why aristocrats and poets were drawn here, how a great Zen temple turned the mountains into part of its garden, and what to notice along the river. Settle in and let the landscape do some of the talking.

2. 02

   A Getaway for Nobles and Poets

   Arashiyama's reputation is more than a thousand years old. During the Heian period, which ran from the year 794 to 1185, nobles and aristocrats came here to escape the city. They enjoyed the seasonal beauty and composed poetry under cherry blossoms in spring or maple leaves in autumn. Mountains and a broad river made it an ideal stage for that kind of refined pastime. The fascination never faded. Since ancient times, renowned poets such as Basho have made the pilgrimage to Arashiyama. In the Kamakura period, the district also flourished as a center of Buddhist culture, so that scenery and spirituality grew up side by side. The result is a place that has developed through very different eras: aristocratic leisure, temple building, and eventually its modern life as a beloved destination. The mountain that rises here is called Arashiyama. Its name can be read as Storm Mountain. It stands about 382 meters high, and together with the Oi River it forms the classic view that visitors still come for today.

3. 03

   Tenryuji and the Borrowed Mountains

   The great anchor of Arashiyama is Tenryuji. It is a Zen temple ranked among Kyoto's five great Zen temples, and it is the largest and most impressive temple in the district. It is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its story begins with consolation: Ashikaga Takauji had it built to console the spirit of Emperor Go-Daigo. Then there is the garden, counted among the best in Kyoto. Its designers used a concept called shakkei, or borrowed scenery. Instead of ending at the garden wall, the design pulls the surrounding mountains into the composition, so the hills beyond the pond feel like part of the garden itself. Take a moment to look past the foreground and notice where the planted garden ends and the borrowed landscape begins. For planning, the temple is open from 8:30 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, with entry until 4:50. Admission to the gardens is listed as 500 yen, with an additional 300 yen to enter the buildings. The exit at the back of the grounds leads directly to the famous bamboo grove, which makes a natural next step.

4. 04

   Bamboo, River and Bridge

   Step through the back of Tenryuji and you arrive at the bamboo grove. Bamboo paths lined with thousands of stalks are among the sights that bring the world to Arashiyama. It is worth listening here as much as looking. The tall, dense stalks filter the light and change the mood of the walk. Then head toward the water. A narrow-gauge train also runs along the river, and visiting both the grove and the train gives you a closer look at the changing face of Arashiyama's natural landscape, which poets have celebrated since ancient times. Nearby stands Togetsukyo Bridge, one of the district's best-known landmarks. A tradition tied to it holds that if you do not look back until you have completely crossed, it represents spiritual growth and determination. Try it, and see how hard it is to resist glancing at the view behind you. If you want a quieter experience, the district also offers a facility called Hogan, run by the garden restoration and maintenance organization Sone Zoen. There, visitors can try Zen sand raking in a traditional Japanese house and garden.

5. 05

   Before You Head Off

   Arashiyama rewards slow looking. It has been a place of poetry, Buddhist culture and seasonal beauty for well over a thousand years, and each season gives it a different face. Cherry blossoms, green summer hills and autumn colors all offer a new view of the same mountain and river. As you wander, try a few small experiments. Look for the place in a garden where borrowed mountains meet planted trees. Listen to the bamboo and notice how the light changes along the path. Glance at the river and imagine the nobles and poets who once came here to find the right words for what they saw. There is plenty more to discover in the temples, villas and riverside lanes. Follow whichever path pulls at your curiosity, and let Arashiyama show you something you did not expect.