From Nijo Castle to Arashiyama area 

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1. Overview

How to get to Arashiyama area from Nijo Castle ?

Visitors Question

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

Locals Answer

The recommended way to Arashiyama area from Nijo Castle is (1) by Kyoto City Subway + Keifuku Railway (Randen), (2) by Walk + JR line or (3) by Bus

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

From Nijo Castle to Arashiyama, firstly please head for stations (Kyoto City Subway or JR line) or bus stop (operated by Kyoto Bus).

The locations of those stations and bus stop are separated, and station (bus stop) names are also different.
(Kyoto City SubwayNijojo-maeJR line: NijoKyoto Bus: Horikawa-Oike)

Subway Nijojo-mae station is just beside the castle (1 minutes’ walk).

JR Nijo station is a little bit away from the castle (12 minutes’ walk).

And, the bus stop for Arashiyama is located not the one in front of the castle but the one just 1 stop south.
The name is Horikawa-Oike (3 minutes’ walk)

The ways of lower fare are by JR line or by bus. But you need more walk by JR line and more time by bus.

On the other hand, although the fare is ¥480 in total by Subway + Randen, you can move on schedule and the arrival station of the Randen is near Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Forest, the symbol of Arashiyama area.

So, please decide the travel way, considering also your first visiting spot in Arashiyama.

Check the location map below, showing time to main attractions in Arashiyama from each station (or bus stop) .

How long & how much does it take from Nijo Castle to Togetsukyo Bridge, the symbol of Arashiyama after all ?

By Subway & Randen, it takes about 30 minutes including transfer time in total. (¥510).
Subway trains are operated a lot, and Randen trains are operated every 10 minutes.
Please transfer at subway Uzumasa-Tenjingawa station to Randen Tenjingawa station.

By JR line, it takes about 40 minutes including walking time (¥200).
Trains are
 operated almost every 15 minutes.
If you plan firstly to ride trolley train or visit Daikakuji Temple, JR line is recommened.

By Bus, it takes at least about 40 minutes plus waiting time (¥230).
Buses are operated almost every 20 minutes in the daytime.
If you miss the bus, it takes more time.
And, if on peak season, it takes much more time because of heavy traffic jam.

The followings are the detail.

2. By Kyoto City Subway + Keifuku Railway (Randen) for Arashiyama

Kyoto City Subway Nijojo-mae station is located just beside the Nijo Castle.

When you get out of the main gate of the castle, please turn right and cross the crosswalk, then subway station entrance (Exit 1) is on your right. It takes 1 minute from the main gate.

For Arashiyama, you need to transfer at Uzumasa-Tenjingawa station to Randen (Keifuku Railway).

The followings are the details.

1. Take any Subway Trains at Track No.1.

For Arashiyama, take any subway trains at track No.1 bound for Uzumasa-Tenjingawa

The trains are operated a lot, more than 10 times per hour.

2. Get off at Subway Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station, and Transfer.

In about 6 or 7 minutes, trains arrive at Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Sta., the last stop of this subway line.

After getting out of the ticket gate, please head for Exit 3 to transfer to Randen trains.

Go up another escalator, then this is the Exit 3 of subway Uzumasa-Tenjingawa station.

You can see Randen-Tenjingawa station on your right.

After getting out of the subway Exit, walk forward a little, turn right and cross the crosswalk and the railway track.

The Platform for Arashiyama is far side.

3. Take any Trains at Platform for Arashiyama (Randen).

Please make sure of the correct platform by notice board.

And, take any early trains.

All trains are bound for Arashiyama, the last stop of Randen, Keifuku Railway line
So, it is very easy to take.

4. Get off at Arashiyama Sta.

In 14 minutes ride, trains arrive at Arashiyama station.

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

You can go to, for example, Togetsukyo Bridge in 2 minutes or Bamboo Forest in 7 minutes, the symbol of Arashiyama from the station.

3. By Walk + JR train for Arahiyama

The nearest station of JR (Sagano line) for Nijo Castle is Nijo, located about 12 minutes’ walk to the west from the castle.

And, the nearest station for Arashiyama is Saga-Arashiyama, located about 12 minutes’ walk to Togetsukyo Bridge.

From Nijo Castle to the center of Arashiyama area, you need walk about 25 minutes in total, in additon to 9 minutes’ train ride.

The followings are the details.

1. Turn Right on the Corner of the Castle.

When you get out of the main gate of the Castle, please walk to the right direction.

Then, turn right on the corner of the castle.

2. Keep Walking along the Stone Wall of the Castle.

Keep walking for about 7 minutes along the stone wall of the castle.

Still, keep walking untill the second intersection after the stone wall of the castle ends.

3. At the Intersection before the Overpass of the JR line, Turn Left.

Turn left at the intersection before the overpass of the JR line.

4. At Next Intersection, Turn Right, then you come to JR Nijo Station.

At the next intersection, turn right.

Then, you can see JR Nijo station in front of you.

5. Take Trains departing from Track No.2.

Please ride on local or rapid trains departing from track No.2  (bound for Kameoka, Sonobe) at Nijo station.
(Please do not ride limited express train.)

6. Get off at Saga-Arashiyama Station.

In 9 minutes by local train, trains arrive at Saga-Arashiyama station, the fourth stop from Nijo station.

Please be careful that if you ride rapid train, second stop is Saga-Arashiyama, taking 6 minutes.

7. 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)

4. By Bus for Arashiyama

Buses for Arashiyama from Nijo Castle are operated by Kyoto Bus, and the nearest bus stop for the castle is Horikawa-Oike.
Kyoto Bus is different from Kyoto City Bus. Kyoto Bus is colored brown.
If you have Bus One-Day Pass, you can also use for Kyoto Bus.

Please take Kyoto Bus No.  62  63  and  66  from Horikawa-Oike bus stop.
All the buses go to Hankyu Railway Arashiyama station via Arashiyama bus stop near Togetsukyo Bridge.

Mainly Bus No. 63  and  66  are operated, almost every 20 minutes in turn.

No. 63  is bound for Suzumushidera / Kokedera Temple.
No. 66  is bound for Hankyu Railway Arashiyama station.

No. 62  is bound for Kiyotaki via northwest of Arashiyama area such as Adashino-Nenbutsuji Temple, but only 1 bus service is available in the early morning.

It takes at least 34 minutes from Nijo Castle (Horikawa-Oike bus stop) to Arashiyama (¥230).
It depends on the traffic condition, often buses are delayed on peak season such as cherry blossom or autumun leaves.

The followings are the details.

1. Find out the correct Bus Stops, Horikawa-Oike

Buses for Arashiyama depart from Horikawa-Oike bus stop B.

The bus stop is in the southeast of Horikawa-Oike intersection, located to the south of Nijo Castle.

(the picture : Horikawa-Oike bus stop B )

This is the location map of the bus stop B from Nijo Castle.

Please check if the bus stop is correct before riding.

2. Take Kyoto Bus No. 62, 63 or 66.

Take Kyoto Bus No. 62 ,  63 ,or  66 .

All buses run the same route to Hankyu Arashiyama Station.

3. Get off at Arashiyama bus stop.

In at least 34 minutes’ ride, please get off at Arashiyama bus stop, Togetsukyo Bridge is just behind.

In Arashiyama area, several Bus Stops are available .

Main bus stops are Arashiyama and Arashiyama-Koen (meaning Arashiyama Park), both located near Togetsukyo Bridge, the symbol of Arasiyama area.

Arashiyama bus stop is near the north side of the bridge.
And, Arashiyama-Koen bus stop is near the south side of the bridge.

Please check the map if you want to know the location of those bus stops in Arashiyama.

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5. 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 !