Date: 17 Feb, 2019
Time: 5:00pm
Weather: 8C partly sunny
Distance: 6km / roundtrip
Course type: pedestrian path
Elevation: 34m, gentle up-downs
Traffic Light: few
Start Point: Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Station
Access: 20 mins by train from city centre Karasuma station
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_ffe74e3c673b47f9b837422f54cf64d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_828,h_578,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/5f0cc0_ffe74e3c673b47f9b837422f54cf64d3~mv2.jpg)
Comments:
- Probably the most scenic run in Kyoto, especially near Togetsu Bridge and the Bamboo forest path. However try to avoid peak seasons of late March, April, November and early December.
- The path after entering the bamboo forest is a little bit tricky, make sure you read the map and follow well in order not to get lost around that area.
- very convenient connected with city centre Shijo Karasuma with Hankyu Railway, it's like entering a different world in 20 minutes!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_774e7a66a37b44e2b659a724010b6481~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_774e7a66a37b44e2b659a724010b6481~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Very nicely decorated platform and train at Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_25cba590c2ff42c7b9f90076cd2e2c17~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_25cba590c2ff42c7b9f90076cd2e2c17~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
This is the start point of the run.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_1581f07120854d7eb63d6236a93e5705~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_1581f07120854d7eb63d6236a93e5705~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Passing by a day use onsen place where you may take a hot bath after run on your return.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_4e57f24b77ee447f83e8700347be97cd~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_4e57f24b77ee447f83e8700347be97cd~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Approaching Katsura River side, the sky was so clear and the air was so fresh!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_b4832e0edb754560a105141815f1dace~mv2_d_3784_2838_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_b4832e0edb754560a105141815f1dace~mv2_d_3784_2838_s_4_2.jpg)
Crossing the very famous Togetsu Bridge, it must be very crowded earlier in the day.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_67e1cbed4fa84509baacdd9c72621eec~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_67e1cbed4fa84509baacdd9c72621eec~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Turn right after crossing Togetsu Bridge.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_ba2f177fe7434d6a9231afe943a78ee1~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_ba2f177fe7434d6a9231afe943a78ee1~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Continue your run along the Katsura River downstream, you see very beautiful sunset at the back.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_8ad0b21e58f04626809398d777470802~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_8ad0b21e58f04626809398d777470802~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
This part of Arashiyama is rather quiet, it's very comfortable to run or simply take a rest here.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_bbdcfe299212439e9a14b4839565cfda~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_bbdcfe299212439e9a14b4839565cfda~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
I run along Katsura River until I saw this sign, and decided to return and have a look of the bamboo forest.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_709a5090714c4273a05246c90b131ac8~mv2_d_3662_2744_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_734,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_709a5090714c4273a05246c90b131ac8~mv2_d_3662_2744_s_4_2.jpg)
Saw a local runner on the way back to Togetsu Bridge direction.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_e837a0018a5748f98e2a35517466744e~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_e837a0018a5748f98e2a35517466744e~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
After arriving Togetsu Bridge, turn right to the souvenir street towards hillside.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_c734fc94ea8d4b91a6f4a5c871934d42~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_c734fc94ea8d4b91a6f4a5c871934d42~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Passing by entrance of Tenryuji Temple on your left.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_7219c3b6e2a04e23903c023c36a36be2~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_7219c3b6e2a04e23903c023c36a36be2~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
This is the path towards the bamboo forest.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_31995363257e447b8526e081b423939b~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_31995363257e447b8526e081b423939b~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
beautiful but narrow path leading to the bamboo forest.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_12a4206280d74be19f93b91de1ab41dc~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_12a4206280d74be19f93b91de1ab41dc~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Still some tourists around the bamboo forest path even it's getting a bit dark. It's such a famous spot in Kyoto.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_ebd68bbb923a465aa96e27394dae3825~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_ebd68bbb923a465aa96e27394dae3825~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
I run until Torroko Arashiyama Station, then return back to Togetsu Bridge on the same route.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_eb1bedddddc74998a9872b447ea702c2~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_eb1bedddddc74998a9872b447ea702c2~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Back to the souvenir street and its getting dark with bright moon on the deep blue sky.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_043161bdb91e4ce1850f499c9f32bddf~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_043161bdb91e4ce1850f499c9f32bddf~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Arrived back to the start point - Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_3f54d607e13a44f981743762a5073a6a~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_3f54d607e13a44f981743762a5073a6a~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
The platform is getting even more classic at night! Such a beautiful run in Arashiyama!
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