ARASHIYAMA

ARASHIYAMA LANDMARKS

Okochi Sanso is the historic and former villa of Denjiro Okochi, who was a famous actor in the first half of the 20th century. Today Okochi Sanso along with its picturesque Japanese tea garden is open to the public. Okochi Sanso is sited on top of a hill in Arashiyama District of Kyoto, surrounded by Arashiyama Park and Oi River and very close to the Sagano Bamboo Forest and World Heritage Tenryuji Temple. Okochi Sanso features several tea houses, the Japanese style villa and a shrine.

ARASHIYAMA TEMPLES

Horin-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect, which was established in 713AD. Enshrined in the hondo of Horin-ji Temple is a sculpture of Kokuzo Bosatsu, which has not been displayed for over 100 years. The tahoto (like a two story pagoda) of Horin-ji Temple is easily seen from the other side of the Oi River (on the Northern bank), where it runs through the Arashiyama District of Kyoto.

Jojakkoji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Ukyo Ward of Kyoto. Jojakkoji Temple is famous for its bright red and orange maple leaves in Autumn. Jojakkoji Temple features a pagoda, which is a designated Important Cultural Property, that was completed in the 17th century, but in the 16th century Momoyama style.

Nison-in Temple, officially known as Ogura-yama Nison-kyo-in Keidai-ji, is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect, in Ukyo Ward of Kyoto. Nison-in Temple is famous for its bright red and orange maple leaves in Autumn (early December). Nison-in Temple was established in 834AD, however all of the structures from this time were destroyed in the Onin War. Nison-in Temple does still feature a significant cemetery which includes the graves of emperors, members of elite class and father of Sanjonishi Sanetaka. Nison-in Temple houses two designated Important Cultural Properties, which are both statues of Buddha from the Heian Period, one depicts the founding Buddha and the other when he has reached enlightment.

Senko-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in the Arashiyama District of Kyoto. Senko-ji Temple sits half way up the mountain side and be seen from the look out point in Arashiyama Park and one of the look out points in Okochi Sanso.

Tenryuji Temple is the head temple of the Tenryu sect of Rinzai Zen Buddhism and the most important Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. Tenryuji Temple possesses many Important Cultural Properties and features an extensive garden which is particularly beautiful in cherry blossom season and is designated as "Special Places of Scenic Beauty". Tenryuji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

ARASHIYAMA SHRINES

Matsunoo-taisha Shrine was founded in 700AD making it one of the oldest shrines in the Kyoto region. Matsunoo-taisha Shrine is at the base of Mt Arashiyama where a natural spring brings water to the surface which is particularly important to the local sake and miso companies to the shrine to have their products blessed.

ARASHIYAMA GARDENS and PARKS

Arashiyama Park in Arashiyama District of Kyoto, next to the Sagano Bamboo Forest and Okochi Sanso historic villa and almost next to the World Heritage of Tenryuji Temple. Arashiyama Park is particularly popular in the cherry blossom, but is a picturesque garden throught most of the year.

Sagano Bamboo Forest, also known as the Sagano Bamboo Grove is not only picturesque site, but is designated one of the "one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan" by the Japanese Government. The sound of the wind moving through the bamboo is particularly distinct. The Sagano Bamboo Forest is in Arashiyama District of Kyoto and almost next to the World Heritage Tenryuji Temple.

ARASHIYAMA ZOO

Iwatayama Monkey Park, in Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto, is like an open range zoo that just has monkeys. There are around 170 wild Japanese macaque monkeys in Iwatayama Monkey Park, which can be fed food purchased on site.

ARASHIYAMA RIVERS

Oi River runs through district of Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is crossed by the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the Moon Crossing Bridge.

ARASHIYAMA BRIDGES

Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the Moon Crossing Bridge, is a famous picturesque bridge over Oi River in Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto. Togetsukyo Bridge obtained its alternative name, Moon Crossing Bridge, after Emperor Kameyama stated that the bridge appeared to stretch to the moon. The current Togetsukyo Bridge was completed in 1934.