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Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course Kyoto Arashiyama to north : Nature Tourism )
This is a guide course of visiting Takao from north part of Arashiyama through Toriimoto and Kiyotaki. We'll start from walking through an area with a historical landscape before heading toward mountainous area to walk on a riverside trail. It is a beautiful combination of history and nature.
Meeting Point
JR Saga Arashiyama Station
- First we'll meet you at the north exit of Saga Arashiyama Station of JR. Please do not mix the gate with its south. This is a very important point that I have to emphasize. Make sure you come out from its north gate on the side of Marutamachi street. We'll meet you here at 8 : 30 a.m. Starting from this point in the morning, we will come to Takao around good time for lunch break. Through this course, I can show you how to access Takao from Kiyotaki located in the far north-west of Arashiyama. Even many locals living in Kyoto do not know of this way of visiting Takao from a trail. This is a beautiful trail goes along river of Kiyotaki. It is a long way to access Takao from this area on the road, but it is not through this trail. The total length of this full tour takes about 8 hours. It requires quite a lot of walking back and forth all the way to Takao. Be sure to wear comfortable for the tour.
Bamboo Forest
Walk through a Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama to start out the tour before heading to Toriimoto.
Gohodo Benzaiten
First, you will arrive at a hidden temple called Gohodo Benzaiten. It is really hidden in the woods right behind a bus stop called " Gohodo Benzaiten ". You would definitely miss it without a guide. The temple enshrines a goddess called Benzaiten. Benzaiten is a symbol of eloquence ( art of speech to influence people ) . Gohodo Benzaiten is a temple at the hill of Mt. Toriigata. The mountain holds one of 5 symbols of our traditional summer event of building a huge formation of bonefire among 5 mountains located in different directions surrounding the city. This event is called " Gozan Okuribi " which is held to send off spirits of deceased. And this one makes a shape of toirii gate. This is the name origin of this area Toriimoto. The place is scarcely known by some people who come here to make wishes to its Benzaiten. This Benzaiten is enshrined in here as a guardian of Mt. Toriigata. This place is a real hidden treasure for viewing autumn beauty of sacred momiji.
Adashino-Mayumura
The next stop we are going to make is Adashino-Mayumura. This is a shop selling craft items made of cocoons. They are selling them as souvenir items for visitors. There is another Mayumura located right next to Arashiyama station, but this one in Toriimoto is the original. Staffs you will meet at the shop are very friendly. You can expect warm welcome from those people. You can relax and have a little shopping on your way. The items here are not heavy or bulky. You can just pack in your tiny bag to carry around. There are items with written message in beautiful letters. I can neatly translate them all.
Saga Toriimoto Town-scape Archive Hall
Go on our way up the hill you come to an old house with thatched roof called Saga Toriimoto Town-scape Archive Hall. The function of this house is to work on the project of preserving a historical landscape of this area. This place is open to public to casually visit and have look around inside the ancient house constructed in 1890's. In this place, I would like to explain how things were and how they stay the way they are today. The structure of this house displays well-preserved architectural style commonly seen from early Meiji Period in Japan. I hope that my explanation will give you a new perspective to the landscape of this area.
First torii gate of Atago Shrine
After visiting the Archive Hall, soon you will come to the 1st gate of Atago Shrine. Here is a great spot for taking photos. Let's take some beak for some photo shooting. The best time for this spot is autumn. It is also great with green leaves of momiji maple.
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
The next stop is Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. Just go along the way up the hill. You will come to this temple. The temple displays a huge collection of stone statues. Every one of them have different impression on their face. It is said there are 1200 of them in this one place. You will surely find this fascinating. The entire ground of this temple is mostly covered in thick moss due the high humidity of this area. The atmosphere of this temple is something unique despite many other temples you see in the city are quite similar to one another. It requires entrance charge of 400 yen per person. This is the only place in this course which requires additional fee. All the rests are free of charge.
Village of Kiyotaki
Now, let's move on toward west to the tunnel. Now you came to a road splitting in three ways right before the tunnel of Kiyotaki. This is the end of Atago Kaido where it meets Kiyotaki-michi " the road to Kiyotaki ". Even though it is said that this tunnel is a scary ghostly spot, I don't think it is such a place. It might look creepy when you look at it with such idea because of the lights in the tunnel and its surroundings. There is a beautiful village called Kiyotaki after passing this tunnel. You don't have to worry because people are living in that village and it is the only way to access Mt. Atago from the city.
Kiyotaki to Takao trail
This trail connects Takao ( north ) & Kiyotaki ( south ) and the river will join Katsura River in Arashiyama. This is one of the most beautiful trails in which you go along the river side. The crystal clear water of Kiyotaki is running throuhgh white rocks making some deep spots of water turning into stunning emerald green.
From this point of Kiyotaki, it takes about 1 hour to reach Takao. It is about 3 km of walking along a trail on riverside. Toward the end of the trail, you will come to a point where you can see the cultivation of Kitayama cedars shooting vertically straight. I will offer you my official explanation as the one who is in charge of this introduction in English in Kyoto.
Takao
When we come to Takao, first you'll be guided to a restaurant called Togano Chaya which serves traditional Japanese dishes. Later on, I will offer you a complete area guide of Takao to visit 3 major cultural assets in the area and where to catch a bus to get back to the city.
Togano Chaya
Here in this restaurant I will offer to explain about what you might like to order for your preference. I have their English menu which I wrote. This place has a room surrounded by large windows to see the great view of maple along river. In case this place is closed, we'll visit another place similar to this one. After coming out from the restaurant, I will offer you area guide before you go on your way to start from Kozanji Templea which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It is likely that you have enough time to visit all the attractions in Takao before all the closing time. It takes about 3 hours to cover the entire area. In this way you are fully guided for all day. Hotaru ( fireflies ) viewing guide will be included around late June.
This place is closed on Thursdays
Visiting 3 temples in Takao
Make a quick circle around Kozanji and Saimyoji and end the tour of temples with Jingoji.
Nearby Bus stop
Ending Point
JR Togano-o Bus stop
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Inclusions & Exclusions
All the detailed interpretation and explanation in English during the tour. The tour of viewing fireflies in late June would be a bonus for visitors around that time.
The food and drink you need on your way and the cost of food at the restaurant are not included. Entrance feel of 300 yen per person at Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple.
Tour Important Information
This tour involves walking through a trail. It is ideal that you bring rain gear when the weather condition is iffy. I will also bring some things to provide. If you wish to change the course, I have some backup plans to compensate.
Important message from the supplier
In case of a bad weather condition, I can arrange back-up tour for you. I will ensure that you will not regret about your booking. And, please contact in advance so I can check my availability with other things. Since, 1-day booking notice was making my schedule all messed up, I can only accept with those who properly replies and confirm the booking in advance enough to keep it decent. I recently changed to at least 2-days notice, but we can still discuss.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kyoto Tour Reviews
“Hike in Hozukyo Gorge”
Great day hiking by the river. We liked the nature and beautiful views of the pristine water. Masayuki and his wife were great hosts and very attentive to our needs, especially in some of the most difficult areas of the hike. Definitely very beautiful, off-the-beaten path and cool in the summer months!
Masayuki I.
(2 reviews)Thank you very much for taking a tour with us, Myriam. Again, we are so glad that all of you could enjoy the day. We both enjoyed your wonderful company during the tour. I hope that you could rest well and refresh yourselves after the tour and enjoy your activities for later. We were so glad to have met you. Good luck with your trip for the rest of your days in Japan. Feel free to contact us if you need to know about anything.
Peter K.
Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course Kyoto Arashiyama to north : Nature Tourism )
“Masayuki is just the best”
We had the best time with Masayuki! He is local grew up in Kyoto and took us to a beautiful river for an all day hike with a stop for lunch at a restaurant that sat over the river. if you are looking for a guy, you will not be disappointed. He is just a loveliest individual.
Masayuki I.
(2 reviews)Thank you so much, Peter. We also enjoyed your company during the tour. It was great that we could share a lot of stories while dining at the restaurant. The time we spent together is a wonderful memory for us as well. You are great people.
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