Kyoto Arashiyama Self-Guided Audio Walk: Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine and Togetsukyo Bridge

What to bring

• Booking number: Enter your booking number on the Roamer redemption page before you set off while you still have signal.
• Phone access: Open the tour in your phone browser; you do not need to download any app.
• Charged phone: Bring a fully charged phone so the GPS map and audio can run for the full walk.
• Earphones: Bring earphones so you can hear the audio clearly as you walk.
• Data or Wi-Fi: Use mobile data, or open the tour on Wi-Fi before you leave if you do not have data.

What's not allowed

• Drones: Do not use drones, as they are banned across most of Kyoto City.
• Littering and smoking: Do not litter or smoke on the street in Arashiyama, as fines can apply.
• Bamboo etiquette: Do not touch, lean on, or carve the bamboo in the grove.

Accessibility

• Step-free route: There is no step-free way down from Kameyama Park lookout; to avoid steps, skip stop 6 and return via the bamboo path and main street.

Additional information

• Best time: Aim for early morning on a dry day, as the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge get very crowded.
• Daylight only: Walk Kameyama Park and the riverside in daylight, as the park and lookout have no lighting at night.
• Tour duration: Expect about 75 minutes of walking over 2.3 km across 9 stops.
• Start point: The walk begins inside Randen Arashiyama Station, in the Kimono Forest area.
• End point: The walk ends at the north end of Togetsukyo Bridge, a few minutes' walk from Randen Arashiyama Station.
• Kimono Forest: Enjoy this free stop, which is lit from inside after dark, and note the station shops' limited opening hours.
• Tenryu-ji timings: Check Tenryu-ji garden and hall opening times and special hall closure dates before planning a visit.
• Tenryu-ji north gate: With a garden ticket, you can exit through the north gate directly into the bamboo grove.
• Zazen meditation: Free zazen meditation at Tenryu-ji runs on the second Sunday of each month at 9:00.
• Nonomiya Shrine event: Expect crowds and possible lane closures on the Saigu procession day in 2026 at Nonomiya Shrine.
• Okochi Sanso hours: If you visit Okochi Sanso, note its daily opening hours and last entry time.
• Hozu boat boarding: You cannot board Hozu river boats at Arashiyama, as all boats depart from Kameoka upriver.
• Hozu boat schedule: Check the seasonal Hozu boat operating dates, daily start times, and winter and New Year breaks.
• Hozu landing walk: From the Hozu boat landing, allow 15 to 20 minutes on foot to reach JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.
• Traffic crossing: Cross Nagatsuji-dori only at the zebra crossing in front of the station and watch for buses and cars.
• Narrow pavements: Between stops 2 and 3, keep to the narrow pavements and let other pedestrians pass.
• Shared lanes: On Nonomiya lane and the bamboo path, keep to the edge, as rickshaws and occasional cars use the route.
• Park ascent: Between stops 5 and 6, you follow a steady gravel climb into Kameyama Park, with no steps on this section.
• Steep steps: Between stops 6 and 7, you descend two long flights of stone steps without a handrail that can be slippery when wet.
• Boat landing safety: At the Hozu boat landing, stay back from the water's edge and clear of the boatmen's work area.
• High water caution: In heavy rain or typhoons, stay away from the riverbank, as the river can flood and boats stop in high water.
• Riverside road: Between stops 8 and 9, keep to the riverside pavement while sharing the road with cars, taxis, and rickshaws.
• Bridge crowds: On Togetsukyo Bridge, stay on the sidewalks and expect heavy crowds at peak times.
• Crowd camera: You can check current crowds on the bridge using the Kyoto tourist association's live camera on kyoto.travel.
• Places of worship: At Tenryu-ji and Nonomiya Shrine, keep your voice low and behave respectfully at their gates.
• Local fines: Be aware that littering and street smoking in Arashiyama can incur significant fines.

• Please check your final voucher for the redemption details and specific instructions.
• Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.