Pickup points and meeting tips
- Decide on the north bank (Tenryu-ji, main shopping street, bamboo grove) or the south bank (Nakanoshima and Hankyu Arashiyama Station) before the day; crossing the bridge on foot in peak season takes time.
- Tenryu-ji’s main gate on the main street is the usual starting point; the north gate opens directly onto the bamboo path, so a one-way walk works well.
- Groups finishing the Hozugawa river boat ride come ashore near Togetsukyo Bridge, so a pickup on that side keeps the walk short.
- Torokko Saga Station, next to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, is the reference for groups boarding the Sagano Scenic Railway toward Kameoka.
Vehicle access
The main street in front of Tenryu-ji is narrow and crowded with pedestrians, rickshaws and taxis, and full-size coaches use designated tour-bus parking a few minutes away. In late March–early April and mid-November–early December, traffic into Arashiyama can back up long before the bridge, and seasonal traffic measures may be in place, so the driver may suggest an earlier arrival or a different drop-off.
Road restrictions and coach parking vary by season.
Luggage
A group checking out of a Kyoto hotel can visit Arashiyama with all bags in the vehicle and continue to Itami or Osaka afterwards, since the district is on the western side of the city. Rickshaw rides and the river boat have no room for suitcases, so nothing large should leave the vehicle.
Typical drive times
| Kinkaku-ji | approx. 20–30 min |
|---|---|
| Kyoto Station | approx. 30–45 min |
| Osaka International Airport (Itami)Kyoto Jukan / Meishin Expressway | approx. 50–70 min |
| Kansai International Airport (KIX) | approx. 100–120 min |
Approximate, without traffic delays.
Combine in one charter day
- Tenryu-ji garden
- Sagano Scenic Railway and Hozugawa river boat
- Kinkaku-ji
- Ryoan-ji
Recommended vehicles
Places and pickup areas to consider
- Bamboo Grove
- Tenryuji
- Togetsukyo Bridge
Locations are described for trip planning. Service availability, exact pickup access, fares and driver allocation are confirmed in your written quotation.