Iconic wooden bridge over the Oi river with views of Mount Arashiyama; a completely free stroll.
The Togetsukyo bridge —whose name means "bridge crossing towards the moon"— is the visual symbol of the Arashiyama district and one of the most photographed bridges in Japan. At 155 metres long, it crosses the Oi river with the wooded profile of Mount Arashiyama in the background, offering a scene that changes radically with the seasons: cherry blossom in spring, green lushness in summer, scarlet momiji in autumn and bare silhouettes in winter. The walk is completely free. The best photographic light is early in the morning, when the mist over the river lends an ethereal atmosphere. The bridge is 15 minutes by bus from Kyoto station (line 28) or a 5-minute walk from Arashiyama station on the Hankyu line. From the bridge it is easy to organise the rest of the visit to Arashiyama: Tenryu-ji temple, the bamboo grove and the monkey park are all within walking distance.
