Kyoto – Visiting Gion & Arashiyama Districts

We chose to use Jetstar Airline for the domestic flight from Hokkaido’s Chitose (CTS) airport to Osaka’s Kansai airport (KIX). From Osaka it is an easy transfer via JRail Haruka Limited Express train to Kyoto. The trip took a little over an hour and then grabbed a taxi to our hotel. 

The KYOTO GRANBELL HOTEL is a boutique hotel on the edge of the Gion district which hosts many shrines and temples as well as a bustling nightlife. The design ethos of the KYOTO GRANBELL HOTEL is a fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern design elements, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. The hotel’s design is inspired by the city of Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in the use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and paper, as well as traditional Japanese motifs and patterns. The hotel’s interior design emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and functionality, with clean lines, neutral colors, and carefully selected furnishings. One of the unique features of the hotel is its use of natural light, which is incorporated throughout the building to create a sense of openness and tranquility. The hotel also features a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city and a serene garden that is designed to provide a peaceful oasis for guests. The KYOTO GRANBELL HOTEL creates a space that seamlessly integrates traditional Japanese culture with modern design elements.  

We never venture far without our ultra-hip Muzen bluetooth speaker. Seriously. This thing is excellent in your hotel room, on a picnic, or scooting around a trail on a bike. The company makes several iterations, some like the one linked below are impossibly small and still blow you away with pitch perfect sound.

Rent a bike from the hotel and set out for Arashiyama. The trek is about 10 km. If there was a bike path, we didn’t find it. Kyoto, with polite drivers and easy to understand traffic patterns, was  not difficult to navigate. We managed with Google maps on our phones.

Head west and eventually your path will lead to the Kstsura River, follow it north towards the Togetsu-kyo Bridge. You’ll find yourself in an area filled with shops and cafes, mostly geared towards tourists, but lovely nonetheless and set in traditional architecture. We didn’t want to battle the crowds, so we biked on toward the Bamboo Forest. 

After our cross-town ride we were starved and second guessing our decision to not eat in the congested tourist area where there were many options. Luckily we happened upon a lovely little soba restaurant near the grove, Dangoro (Google Map link). When we were there (2018) it was cash only. Since then, many establishments transferred payments to credit during the pandemic, to be safe, bring cash. 

This ultra low-key neighborhood with quiet cafes and unique galleries camouflaged within the otherwise residential buildings was a welcome retreat from the throngs of tourists on the main street and that we would soon encounter again amongst the bamboo. 

After lunch we wound our way back to the Arashiyama Park complex where the magnificent groves of bamboo tower over the many shrines of Nisonin and Shouan-in Temples. Pause to admire the kimono-clad visitors enjoying their photo shoots and imagine you are, for a moment, in a different time. The trails that lead around the park were at once magical and overwhelming. 

Tenryu-jo temple is close and on your way back to the bridge. If you have time and the inclination, it is remarkable. We admired its gated perimeter and continued towards the bridge. 

Crossing the river we noticed boat rentals (address below), families, and couples relaxing — enjoying the breeze the river afforded on a humid mid-May afternoon. Across the river you will recognize the entrance for the Monkey Park by the beautiful traditional red gates that mark the path to the top of the mountain and to the primates. Or continue on the river path, enjoying the many trickling waterfalls and gorgeous views along the way. 

If you don’t want to ride a bike out to this area, Torokko Arashiyama Sta. is located within Arashiyama Park. Though riding the bike afforded some needed exercise, I wish we had left the bikes locked up and hiked around the trails for a few hours longer to experience the spectacular surroundings at a slightly slower pace. Planning your trip to the Arashuyama for early on a mid-week day might also increase your enjoyment of the quiet spaces with less competition from the multitudes.