How to plan an Arashiyama autumn leaves day trip route Tenryu-ji Togetsukyo bamboo

Why start an Arashiyama foliage day early

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's busiest foliage areas; Togetsukyo bridge, Tenryu-ji and the hills behind hit peak from late November into early December. It gets crowded in foliage season, so arrive around opening for clean shots. In 2026 Tenryu-ji runs a special early opening from November 14 to 30, with the garden open from 7:30, a good window to beat crowds. If you wear a kimono and want to be in position at dawn, pick a shop that opens early: Kyo Mirai Kimono (Kiyomizu-dera), under Satsuki Kimono, opens as early as 6:00 and you can be dressed by 6:30, shoot Kiyomizu and Ninenzaka first, then go to Arashiyama calmly. The day's flow stays smooth.

Route: Tenryu-ji Sogenchi -> Togetsukyo -> bamboo grove -> Jojakko-ji

Start at Tenryu-ji. The Sogenchi pond garden borrows the Arashiyama hills as a backdrop and reflects red leaves on the water, the classic Arashiyama foliage picture; the early opening is quiet with even light. Walk to Togetsukyo bridge and look back from the middle for the widest view of hills and river, nearly empty in the morning. Then take the bamboo grove path toward Nonomiya Shrine; Arashiyama's bamboo is almost empty around 7:00 and crowds fast after 7:45, so a 30-minute head start changes everything. In the afternoon move to Jojakko-ji, tucked on a small rise in Sagano, where maple, stone steps and a pagoda make a calm composition, with nicer slant light on the leaves later in the day.

Jojakko-ji and maple: using afternoon light

Jojakko-ji is known for its pagoda and stone steps among maple; in afternoon front light the leaves reach peak saturation, good for slow shooting. It sits with Tenryu-ji and Hogon-in at the core of Arashiyama foliage but is smaller and slower paced, a natural closer for the day. If time allows, add Hogon-in (autumn special viewing Oct 3 to Dec 6, night maple Nov 13 to Dec 6). These temples split day and night tickets in foliage season, so plan night maple as separate time and book ahead.

Practical notes for a kimono Arashiyama day

A full Arashiyama day in a kimono is doable; the key is not to rush. This store opens at 6:00, so you can shoot empty Kiyomizu and Ninenzaka at dawn, then ride to Arashiyama with soft, non-harsh morning light. You don't have to hurry back: in-store late return and self-service late return are available, so wearing a kimono into the evening and catching night maple stays relaxed. Book the kimono ahead in foliage season; confirm transport and hours with the store's notice.

What else to add that day

A half or full Arashiyama day can add the Sagano Romantic Train (Hozugawa gorge foliage, reserve ahead), Seikado and Rakushisha as quieter stops. To avoid peaks, shoot Arashiyama in the morning and move to Higashiyama night maple in the afternoon, or reverse it. The rule: put your top shot at the earliest opening, string the western cluster by rail and foot, and don't crisscross the city by bus at noon.