From Kinkakuji Temple (golden pavilion) to Arashiyama area 

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1. Overview

How to get to Arashiyama area from Kinkakuji Temple ?

Visitors Question

You can go by Kyoto City Bus (or Walk) + Keifuku Railway (Randen) .

Or… “Kyoto City Bus + JR line” is also available depend on your destination in Arashiyama area.

Locals Answer

The recommended way to Arashiyama area from Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) is “by Bus (or Walk) + Keifuku Railway”.
You can go
 “by Bus + JR line”
depending on the situation.

There is no direct bus service available between Kinkakuji and Arashiyama.

The map below is the overview of the routes, time and fare.

From Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) to Arashiyama, firstly please head for Kinkakuji-michi bus stop.

It takes about 2 minutes’ walk from the gate of Kinkakuji Temple.

Check the map below, showing the location of the bus stop for Arashiyama via Keifuku Railway (Randen) or JR line.

If you don’t decide the first place to visit in Arashiyama yet, please use via Keifuku Railway (randen), not via JR line.

The reason is that the arrival station of the Randen is more convenient for major spots in Arashiyama, such as Togetsukyo Bridge or Bamboo Forest.

And bus services between Kinkakuji and Randen station are a lot, or you can walk from Kinkakuji temple to the Randen station (20 minutes,  0.9 mile / 1.5 km) even if those buses are crowded or delay.

From Kinkakuji to the nearest Randen station (Kitano-Hakubaicho), it takes at least 5 minutes by bus (¥230).
By Kiefuku Railway (Randen),
it takes 27 minutes including transfer time and ¥250 to Arashiyama.
Trains are operated almost every 10 minutes.

If you plan firstly to ride trolley train or visit Daikakuji Temple, via JR line is recommened.

From Kinkakuji to the nearest JR station (Enmachi), it takes at least 9 minutes by bus (¥230).
By JR line, it takes 7 minutes ride and ¥190 to Arashiyama.
Trains are
 operated almost every 15 minutes.

The followings are the detail.

2. By Bus + Keifuku Railway (Randen) for Arashiyama

2-1 By Bus : From Kinkakuji-michi Bus stop to Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta.

Buses for Randen Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta. depart from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop Blocated on your right direction at the opposite side of the road (called Nishioji street) if you come from Kinkakuji Temple.

Please ride Kyoto City Bus No. 204  or  205  . They are operated a lot in total.

In 5 minutes’ ride, please get off at Kitano-Hakubaicho bus stop, the third stop from Kinkakuji-michi.

The followings are the details.

1. Ride Buses at Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop B.

For Arashiyama via Kitano-hakubaicho Sta., take Kyoto City Bus No. 204 or 205.

If Buses are too crowded, you can also walk to Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta. (15 minutes, 0.8 mile, 1.3 km)

2. Get off at Kitano-Hakubaicho Bus Stop

In about 5 minutes, get off at Kitano-Hakubaicho bus stop, the third stop from Kinkakuji-michi.

No. 204  and  205  arrive at Bus Stop D.
All the bus stops are near Randen Kitano-Hakubaicho station.

(The Picture : Kitano-Hakubaicho Bus Stop B)

3. Randen Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta. is backward direction.

When you get off any buses, firstly please head for backward direction.

If  you take bus No.204 or 205, the station is located at the opposite side of the bus stop.

Please check the transfer map.

2-2  By Randen : From Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta. to Arashiyama

From Kitano-Hakubaicho station to Arashiyama, please ride Keifuku Railway (Randen).

All trains don’t go to Arashiyama directly.
You need to change trains at Katabiranotsuji Station.

But, don’t worry, all trains departing from Kitano-Hakubaicho station are bound for Katabiranotsuji Station.
So you just get off at the last station to transfer.

The name of the Randen station in Arashiyama area is also Arashiyama.

1. Take any Trains at Randen Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta.

All trains are bound for Katabiranotsuji station where you need to tranfer for Arashiyama.

So please ride any trains.

2. Change Trains at Katabiranotsuji Sta.

In 11 minutes’ ride, the trains arrive at Katabiranotsuji station (Track No.3 or No.4).

This station is the last stop of trains from Kitano-Hakubaicho station, so it is easy when you transfer.

Trains bound for Arashiyama depart from track No.1, located next platform of track No. 3 and 4.
So please move.

Usually trains bound for Arashiyama arrive in 8 minutes after you get off the train from Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta.
So, it is enough time to transfer.

(the picture : Katabiranotsuji Station Track No.1 )

3. Trains arrive at Arashiyama Sta. in 8 minutes

In 8 minutes’ ride, the trains arrive at Arashiyama station (the last stop).

This station is located in the center of Arashiyama area, so it is very convenient to visit any attractions in Arashiyama.

This Randen Arashiyama station is located in the center of Arashiyama area, so it is very convenient to visit any attractions in Arashiyama.

Check the map below about a time to each famous spot from stations including JR line.

3. By Bus + JR train for Arahiyama

3-1 By Bus : From Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop to Enmachi Sta.

Buses for JR Enmachi Sta. depart from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop Blocated on your right direction at the opposite side of the road (called Nishioji street) if you come from Kinkakuji Temple.

Please ride Kyoto City Bus No. 204  or  205 .
They are operated at least 8 times per hour in total.

In 5 minutes’ ride, please get off at Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop, the sixth stop from Kinkakuji-michi.

The followings are the details.

1. Ride Buses at Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop B.

For Arashiyama via JR Enmachi Sta., take Kyoto City Bus No. 204 or 205. 

No.204 and No.205 run the same route for Enmachi station from Kinkakuji-michi.

2. Get off at Nishinokyo-Enmachi Bus Stop.

In 9 minutes, buses arrive at Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop.

The name of the bus stop is a little bit different from the JR station, “Enmachi”.

(The picture : Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop B for Bus No.204)

After getting off the bus No.204, please walk to the backward direction.

(The picture :  Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop A for bus No.205)

After getting off the bus No.205, please walk to the forward direction.

3. JR Enmachi Sta. is southwest direction from Bus Stops.

Bus No. 204 arrive at Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop B.
Bus No. 205 arrive at bus stop A.

JR Enmachi station is located southwest direction from those stops.

Firstly, head for the big intersection near the stops, then the station is diagonally across from you.

It takes about 3 minutes from the bus stops.

3-2  JR (Sagano line) : From Enmachi Sta. to Arashiyama

From Enmachi station to Arashiyama, please ride JR line (Sagano line precisely).

At Enmachi station, both local and rapid type trains are available.

The name of the nearest JR station for Arashiyama area is Saga-Arashiyama.

Saga-Arashiyama station is the third stop from Enmachi station by local trains (next stop by rapid).

The followings are the details.

1. Take Any Trains Departing from Track No.2

Please ride on any trains departing from track No.2  (bound for Kameoka, Sonobe) at Enmachi station.

2. Get off at Saga-Arashiyama Station.

In 7 minutes by local trains, trains arrive at Saga-Arashiyama station, the third stop from Enmachi station.

Please be careful that if you ride rapid train, next stop is Saga-Arashiyama, taking just 4 minutes.

3. Head for the South Gate for the center of Arashiyama area

After getting out of the ticket gate, if you firstly visit Bamboo Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge or trolley train, please head for the south gate.

If you visit Daikakuji temple, Jojakkoji temple or Adashinono Nenbutsuji temple, please head for the north gate.

(The picture : ticket gate of Saga-Arashiyama Station)

This JR Saga-Arashiyama station is located a little bit away from the center of Arashiyama.
For example, it takes 12 minutes’ walk to Togetsukyo Bridge, a symbol of Arashiyama area. 

Check the map below about a time to each famous spot from stations including Keifuku Railway (Randen).

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4. Attractions Information in Arashiyama

 Opening Hours & Admission Fee (Adult) 

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ( 3:30 p.m. on Jan. Feb. Dec. ) / ¥500

Daikakuji Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / ¥500

Giouji Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / ¥300

Nisonin Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / ¥500

Rakushisha :
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ( 4:00 p.m. on Jan. Feb.) / ¥300

Jojakkoji Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / ¥500

Nonomiya Shrine :
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / ¥ for free

Arashiyama Monkey Park :
9:00 a.m. – 16:00 p.m. ( Oct. 1 – Mar. 14) -16:30 p.m.  (Mar. 15 – Sep. 30)  / ¥600

Suzumushidera Temple :
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / ¥500

Kokedera Temple :
Need a reservation by round-trip postcard to visit / ¥3,000 and more

Best time to visit  :

at anytime you want to visit !