Arashiyama

Kyoto's stunning river valley where world-famous bamboo groves, Zen temples, and mountain scenery create Japan's most photogenic neighborhood

Updated February 1, 202611 min read

About Arashiyama

Arashiyama is Kyoto at its most breathtaking — a river valley where the natural world takes center stage against a backdrop of Zen temples and traditional culture. The world-famous bamboo grove, with its towering green stalks creating a natural cathedral of light and shadow, draws millions of visitors annually, but the district's beauty extends far beyond this single attraction. The Togetsukyo Bridge, spanning the Katsura River with forested mountains rising behind it, is one of Japan's most iconic views and changes character with every season. Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage temple, features a 14th-century landscape garden designed to borrow the mountain scenery as its backdrop — a masterwork of Japanese garden design. The Sagano Scenic Railway winds through mountain valleys past autumn foliage and spring cherry blossoms. For investors, Arashiyama offers a category of real estate that exists nowhere else: properties set within one of the world's most photographed natural landscapes, protected by heritage regulations, and supported by year-round global tourism demand.

Location

Arashiyama in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Showing this map loads it from Google Maps, which sets their own cookies on your device.

Unlock the full neighbourhood guide. It's free.

You've read the preview. 4 more sections are open to Explorer members, instantly, with just an email.

No spam, no password, unsubscribe any time.

Already a member? Sign in

  • Lifestyle scores
  • Amenities and places
  • Community
  • Investment and pricing

Figures are indicative and subject to change. Regulations, taxes and market conditions vary by jurisdiction. Do your own due diligence and seek independent legal and financial advice.

All neighbourhoods