FebruaryBaikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)
Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)
Cherry Blossoms · Kansai
Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge)
Kyoto CityMountain🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr
Overview
Overview
A scenic area in western Kyoto centered on the Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River (Oi River). In spring, cherry trees dot the slopes of Mt. Arashiyama across the river, creating a view where the bridge, river and mountain come together.
- Address
- Saga, Ukyo-ku / Arashiyama, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
- Official website
- https://www.arashiyamahoshokai.com/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookArashiyama, Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Day Tour (from Osaka/Kyoto)Day tour from Osaka or Kyoto visiting the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, Nara Park, and the thousand torii gates of Fushimi Inari TaishaView on Klook- PRKlookKyoto Panorama Day Tour: Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, Nijo Castle & Fushimi Inari (from Osaka/Kyoto)Guided day tour from Osaka or Kyoto visiting Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama with the Togetsukyo Bridge and bamboo grove, and Fushimi Inari TaishaView on Klook
- PRKlookKyoto City, West Kyoto & Arashiyama Tour with Matcha ExperienceSmall-group guided tour by taxi to the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Ryoanji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple and more, with calligraphy and matcha experiencesView on Klook
Peak Time
When to See the Blossoms
Typical peakUsually early April
March
April
May
Bloom dates shift with each year’s temperatures. Check the “Sakura Dayori” bloom reports on Kyoto Kanko Navi for the latest conditions
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
A cherry blossom spot with a long history: in the Kamakura period, Retired Emperor Go-Saga is said to have brought cherry trees from Yoshino in Nara and planted them here. Since 2023 the local Arashiyama Hoshokai association has been running its “Senbonzakura” (thousand cherry trees) project, planting Shiro-yamazakura trees of Yoshino origin every year. The classic view is looking up at the mountain from the foot of the Togetsukyo Bridge.
📷 Best views
Togetsukyo Bridge
The classic view across the river to Mt. Arashiyama in bloom
Kameyama Park
A hilltop park where you can enjoy the scenery away from the crowded streets
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Check the crowd forecasts and live cameras for the Arashiyama area on the “Kanko Kaiteki-do Map” (sightseeing comfort map) on Kyoto Kanko Navi before you go
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line)About an 8 min walk to the Togetsukyo Bridge
- Arashiyama Station (Randen)
- Arashiyama Station (Hankyu Arashiyama Line)Change at Katsura Station
- From major stations & airports
- Kyoto Station: JR Sagano Line rapid train to Saga-Arashiyama Station (About 11 min)
- Kyoto Station: Subway to Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station, the end of the Tozai Line, then change to the Randen to Arashiyama Station (if you want to avoid crowds on the JR)
- Getting back
- Buses from central Kyoto easily get stuck in traffic on Shijo-dori, so taking the train is recommended
- When the JR Sagano Line is crowded, the cars toward the rear tend to be emptier
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- Especially crowded during the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons, when the streets around the Togetsukyo Bridge tend to overflow with people
- Quieter times
- Early morning
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- April normals in Kyoto: high 20.1°C, low 9.2°C (JMA)
- What to wear & bring
- The wind along the river can be cold, so bring an extra layer
Rules
Hanami rules & etiquette
- !No littering. Take your trash home or use the designated bins
- !Do not enter the railway tracks to take photos
- !No smoking on the street
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge)PR
PR9.0京都 嵐山温泉 花伝抄 -共立リゾート
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,247 reviews0.4 km from center
PR8.7京都市宇多野ユースホステル
★★Check rates on Agoda1,332 reviews2.5 km from center
PR8.9渡月亭
★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,115 reviews0.2 km from center
PR8.7京都 嵐山 ご清遊の宿らんざん
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,158 reviews0.3 km from center
PR9.3ホーム・ステイ・椛 嵐山 京都 by バンヤン・グループ
★★★★Check rates on Agoda513 reviews0.9 km from center
PR8.5リバーサイド嵐山
★★★Check rates on Agoda906 reviews0.3 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Kyoto City
February
MayAoi Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May
2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)
May–OctoberNoryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15
JulyGion Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)
AugustGozan Okuribi (Kyoto Five Mountains Bonfires)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on August 16 (from 20:00)
2027: Aug 16 (Mon)
OctoberJidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)
2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains
Attractions
Attractions in Kyoto City
AquariumKyoto Aquarium
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
An inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its exhibits explore Kyoto's waterside nature and how it connects, from the "Kyoto River" to the "Kyoto Sea." With a dolphin stadium and jellyfish displays, it's an easy stop between Kyoto sightseeing spots.
ZooKyoto City Zoo
Kansai ・ Okazaki, Kyoto
A city-run zoo inside Okazaki Park, home to Heian Shrine and several art museums. In its compact grounds you can see elephants, gorillas, and wild animals from Kyoto's forests. Admission is free for junior high students and younger, and just ¥750 for adults.
ExperienceNintendo Museum
Kansai ・ Uji
A museum in Uji, Kyoto, that displays Nintendo's products through the years and lets you play hands-on exhibits. Tickets are date- and time-specific and must be reserved in advance, through a monthly lottery or first-come, first-served sales of slots that open up. If you want to include it in your itinerary, applying from the lottery 3 months before your visit is the surest way.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkUZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
Kansai ・ Uzumasa
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a samurai-drama theme park that opened in 1975, reopened on March 28, 2026 as UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE after the first phase of its renewal. It is now an immersive park for adults built around the concept of wandering into Kyoto in the Edo period, with the second phase scheduled to open in spring 2027. It stays open until 21:00.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Kansai
RiversideShukugawa Park (Shukugawa Riverside Green Space)
Kansai ・ Nishinomiya, Hyogo
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Park
Temple
ParkMaruyama Park (Gion Shidare-zakura)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Castle
Castle
Avenue & old town
Shrine
Temple
Mountain
LakePeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Bloom conditions and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06