Arashiyama Local Favorite Eateries Guide: A Walk Around Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Grove
Handmade Soba: Arashiyama Yoshimura
“Arashiyama Yoshimura” by Togetsukyo Bridge is a well-known handmade soba shop facing the Katsura River scenery. Its signature “Togetsu Zen” includes cold and hot soba and a shrimp tempura rice bowl, a good choice for overlooking Arashiyama’s landscape. Nearby, “Kyo-ryoriya Arashiyama Sakura” serves traditional Kyoto kaiseki cuisine using Kyoto vegetables, tofu, yuba and seasonal fish. In summer, riverside kawadoko (terrace dining over the water) restaurants open by the bridge, where you can enjoy kaiseki-style meals while taking in the view and experience Kyoto’s summer cooling culture, a good first food stop in Arashiyama.
Shojin Ryori: Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji
“Shigetsu” is a shojin ryori restaurant run within the grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple. While looking out over the Sogenchi Garden, which borrows Arashiyama as scenery, you can enjoy a one-soup, five-dish set made with no animal ingredients and delicate preparation of seasonal vegetables and mountain greens, starting from ¥3,300, a representative place to experience Zen temple food culture.
Shigetsu serves only at set times (11:00 to 14:00, closed Thursdays) and requires a reservation (the “Tsuki” and “Hana” sets are for 2 or more and must be reserved the day before), plus a separate garden admission of ¥500. If you cannot get a reservation, around Tenryu-ji (founded in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji and registered as a World Heritage site in 1994) there are also several artisan handmade soba shops on the side paths, well suited for a light, refined Kyoto-style lunch before or after your visit.
A 150-Year-Old Yudofu Shop: Saga Tofu Morika
“Saga Tofu Morika,” in business for over 150 years, is known for its smooth, delicate Saga tofu, a worthwhile souvenir to pick up after a stroll along the Sagano Bamboo Grove path (about 400 meters in total, linking Tenryu-ji’s north gate to Nonomiya Shrine). “Yudofu Sagano” near the bamboo grove and “Kyo-ryori Yudofu Chikusen” within Seiryo-ji both use Morika tofu and serve yudofu, sesame tofu and yuba kaiseki sets, excellent places to taste Kyoto’s tofu craft, and we recommend reserving in advance.
Kaiseki Tofu Cuisine: Shoraian
“Shoraian” is a well-known scenic tofu kaiseki restaurant in the Kameyama area of Arashiyama Park, deep along the Bamboo Grove path, overlooking the Hozukyo Gorge and the Katsura River, serving multi-course tofu kaiseki sets. Seats are limited, so we recommend reserving.
On the way back to the city along the path, you can stop by “eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama Main Store,” a converted old house, or the cafe-restaurant “Saganoyu,” converted from a Taisho-era bathhouse, which serve matcha sweets and light meals, good for resting and refueling after a hike.
Matcha Sweets: Teahouses on the Approach to Jojakko-ji
Jojakko-ji, built in 1596 on the slope of Mt. Ogura, is far from the Arashiyama crowds and especially tranquil. The path in front of the temple is dotted with several traditional sweets shops and teahouses serving Kyoto-style sweets such as matcha, warabimochi and red bean dumplings, good for a rest after your visit.
Admission to Jojakko-ji is ¥500 for adults, open 9:00 to 17:00. The grounds have many slopes, so wear comfortable shoes, and leave time to enjoy matcha and wagashi at the teahouses at the foot of the hill, to experience the relaxed pace of the Ogura area.
Matcha Warabimochi: Small Shops Around Nison-in’s Maple Avenue
Nison-in is also at the foot of Mt. Ogura. The “Momiji no Baba” (maple avenue) formed by maples on both sides of the approach is a photo-worthy scene, and along the way are a few long-running family-run sweets shops serving simple treats made with Saga tofu and matcha, suiting travelers who like quiet-lane food and want to find a bowl of refreshing matcha warabimochi.
Admission to Nison-in is ¥500 for adults, open 9:00 to 16:30. It is only about a 5-minute walk from Jojakko-ji, so you can visit both together and pause at the sweets shops nearby to refuel after visiting the old temple.
Shojin Gozen and House-Roasted Coffee: MOMI CAFE and Coffee Shop Yamamoto
After visiting Daikaku-ji (whose Osawa Pond is one of Japan’s oldest artificial garden ponds), you can try the limited-quantity shojin gozen set at “MOMI CAFE.” “Coffee Shop Yamamoto” near JR Saga-Arashiyama Station is known for house-roasted coffee and its wagyu katsu sandwich.
Admission to Daikaku-ji’s garden and Osawa Pond is ¥500 for adults, with hall viewing ¥300 extra, open 9:00 to 17:00. It is a little far from Arashiyama’s commercial area with fewer visitors, suiting a relaxed half-day plan that avoids the crowds.
Kyoto Beef Shabu-Shabu and Kaiseki: Yugetsu and Kyo Arashiyama Nishiki
After coming down from Horin-ji (whose main deity is Kokuzo Bosatsu, prayed to for wisdom and skill), the south bank of Togetsukyo Bridge is a cluster of eateries. “Yugetsu,” in business for over 90 years, serves Kyoto beef shabu-shabu, yudofu hot pot and seasonal Kyoto cuisine, while “Kyo Arashiyama Nishiki” offers sukiya-style kaiseki with views of the Oi River. Both are representative restaurants of the south bank.
Admission to Horin-ji is free, and the climb up the approach takes about 10 minutes to the main hall, with a panorama over Togetsukyo Bridge and the Katsura River. After coming down, you can visit the complex by the bridge, “Restaurant Arashiyama,” which handles dining, tea and souvenir needs in one stop, a convenient end to the south-bank food walk.
How to Get to Arashiyama? A Complete Guide to Transportation and Tickets
Arashiyama is in western Kyoto. Although it is some distance from the city center, the transport network is well developed, and you can reach it easily by JR, private railway, city bus or even taxi. Below are the four most common ways, to help you plan a smooth and good-value Arashiyama food trip.
How to Get to Arashiyama: Transportation at a Glance
🚃 JR Sagano Line: 15 to 20 minutes from Kyoto Station, fare ¥240. About a 5-minute walk to Togetsukyo Bridge and the shopping street, with frequent trains.
🚋 Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad): 24 minutes from Shijo-Omiya Station, fare ¥250. For the one-day pass price, see the Randen official website. Near the entrance to the Arashiyama shopping street, suited to leisurely sightseeing.
🚌 Kyoto City Bus: routes 28, 71, 72, 73 and others, about 40 to 50 minutes, fare ¥230. One-day pass ¥700. Easily affected by city traffic.
🚕 Taxi and chartered car: about 25 to 30 minutes from Kyoto Station, fare ¥3,500 to ¥4,500. A half-day charter is about ¥4,000 to ¥5,000 per hour, suited to sharing among several people.
Which Arashiyama Eateries Are Must-Visits? 11 Popular Favorites Explained
Arashiyama gathers classic flavors such as soba, eel rice, yudofu and matcha sweets. Below are 11 selected popular local favorites.
Arashiyama YOSHIMURA: Springy, Delicious Handmade Soba
Arashiyama YOSHIMURA is near Togetsukyo Bridge, with excellent views from the second floor over the Katsura River and Arashiyama’s mountains. The shop hand-makes noodles from buckwheat flour freshly ground on a stone mill, giving a springy, smooth texture. The recommended set “Togetsu Zen” (half a serving of zaru soba, half a serving of yuba and grated daikon soba, and a small tempura rice bowl, ¥2,300 on the official site). For tempura, order the “Ten-zaru Zen” for about ¥2,500, and soba alone starts from ¥1,200. The broth is simmered from bonito and kelp, with a rich flavor.
We suggest avoiding the peak from 12:00 to 13:00 to avoid a long wait. Address: 3 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto (north side of Togetsukyo Bridge). Open 11:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, and 10:30 to 17:00 in peak tourist season), open all year (closed January 1). Waiting on site.
- 🍽️ Recommended: Togetsu Zen, Ten-zaru Zen
- 💰 Price: about ¥1,200 to ¥2,500
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station / Randen Arashiyama Station (by Togetsukyo Bridge)
Unagiya Hirokawa: Made-to-Order Premium Eel Dishes
The Michelin-recommended Unagiya Hirokawa insists on killing live eel to order and grilling over charcoal, giving a crisp-outside, tender-inside result. Official prices (before tax): unagi don ¥3,100, unaju ¥3,900, premium unaju ¥5,400, special premium unaju ¥6,700.
Seats are limited, so we suggest reserving at least one month ahead via the official website or by phone, and popular time slots must be grabbed on the day. Address: 44-1 Saga Tenryuji Kitatsukurimichi-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. Open for lunch 11:00 to 15:00 (L.O. 14:30) and dinner 17:00 to 21:00 (L.O. 20:00), closed every Monday (also if it falls on a national holiday), with additional consecutive closures at year-end and New Year and in January, May and October.
- 🍽️ Must-order: unaju (eel rice)
- 💰 Price: about ¥3,100 to ¥6,700 (before tax)
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Taishō HANANA: A Sea Bream Ochazuke Specialist with Three Ways to Eat One Fish
Taishō HANANA is known for its signature sea bream ochazuke, offered three ways: first enjoy fresh sea bream sashimi, then mix it with sesame sauce, and finally pour dashi over it to make ochazuke. One dish gives three distinct layers of flavor. The signature “Tai Chazuke Gozen” has been priced at ¥2,900 since October 2025, with free rice refills.
The shop uses fish fresh that day and closes early once the sea bream sells out, so we suggest arriving early to queue at lunchtime. It is in Saga Tenryuji Setogawa-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, open about 11:00 to 15:30 (until sold out), irregular closing days, and we suggest reserving by phone in advance.
- 🍽️ Must-order: Tai Chazuke Gozen
- 💰 Price: about ¥2,900
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Yudofu Sagano: A Famous Traditional Kyoto Yudofu Restaurant
Yudofu Sagano sits in a quiet garden and serves handmade tofu made with Sagano groundwater in a traditional yudofu pot. The yudofu set meal is about ¥4,400, and there is also the “Sagano Gozen” for about ¥4,000 to ¥6,000, which requires reservation two days ahead, suited to travelers who like light, healthy cuisine.
The restaurant has tatami seating with garden views, and a calm, elegant dining atmosphere that suits taking a longer time to savor. It is at 45 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, open 11:00 to 17:30 (last order 16:30), irregular closing days, and we suggest reserving in advance to secure garden seating.
- 🍽️ Must-order: yudofu set
- 💰 Price: about ¥4,400 to ¥6,000
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Nakamuraya Sohonten: Arashiyama’s Leading Croquette Butcher
Nakamuraya Sohonten is the representative shop of Arashiyama’s eat-as-you-walk culture. Its signature fresh-fried croquettes are made from carefully selected domestic beef and potatoes, with a crisp coating and rich, juicy filling, priced at about ¥80 to ¥150 each, a high-value snack worth queuing for.
There is often a line at the shop front, and since they are fried and sold fresh, they taste best eaten hot. It is in Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto (inside the Togetsukyo shopping street), open 9:00 to 18:00, no regular closing days, no reservations, standing takeaway purchase only.
- 🍽️ Must-order: fresh-fried croquettes
- 💰 Price: about ¥80 to ¥150 each
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station / Randen Arashiyama Station (inside the Togetsukyo shopping street)
% Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama: Artisan Coffee by Togetsukyo Bridge
% Arabica Arashiyama has a front-row view of Togetsukyo Bridge and the Katsura River and is known for its minimalist white building and signature latte art. Artisan hand-drip coffee with the beauty of the four seasons makes it one of Arashiyama’s most popular spots for photos and rests. The signature latte is about ¥550.
Seating inside is limited, and most travelers take their drinks to enjoy by Togetsukyo Bridge, with lines common on holidays. It is at 3-47 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, open 9:00 to 18:00, no regular closing days, and no reservations for dine-in.
- 🍽️ Must-order: signature latte
- 💰 Price: about ¥550
- 🚉 Access: about 8 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station / Randen Arashiyama Station (by Togetsukyo Bridge)
eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama: A Cafe with a DIY Grilled Dango Experience
eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama Main Store is known for its Japanese garden space in a converted old house. Its signature feature is a hands-on experience of grilling handmade dango yourself, paired with matcha or hojicha drinks. Sets are priced at about ¥1,200 to ¥1,800, good for families or couples to try together.
The cafe also offers seasonal sweets and matcha parfaits, and garden seating opens depending on the weather. It is at 35-3 Saga Tenryuji Tsukurimichi-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, open 10:00 to 18:00, often with a wait on holidays, no regular closing days, and no advance reservations.
- 🍽️ Must-order: DIY grilled dango set
- 💰 Price: about ¥1,200 to ¥1,800
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Kyo Matcha Crepe ARINCO: A Must-Visit Crepe Specialist for Matcha Lovers
ARINCO is known for matcha crepes and its signature Kyoto-style roll cake, using carefully selected Uji matcha for the filling and the crepe, with clear layers of matcha intensity. Crepes are about ¥750 to ¥1,000 each, one of Arashiyama’s most talked-about sweets and souvenir treats.
The shop offers dine-in and takeaway, with limited dine-in seating and lines common on holidays. It is on the first floor of “Hannari Hokkori Hiroba” at Randen Arashiyama Station, open 10:00 to 18:00 (last order 17:30), no regular closing days, and weekdays are recommended for a shorter wait.
- 🍽️ Must-order: matcha crepe
- 💰 Price: about ¥750 to ¥1,000
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Arashiyama OBUU: A Famous Matcha Red Bean Ice Cream Dessert Shop
Arashiyama OBUU is known for its signature matcha red bean jelly ice cream, layering matcha jelly, red bean paste and vanilla ice cream, with rich textural layers and moderate sweetness. It is priced at about ¥1,150, a popular dessert for both photos and tasting.
The interior is simple and bright, with a few dine-in seats, and most travelers take it away to eat while walking. It is at Saga Tenryuji Tsukurimichi-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, open 10:00 to 18:00, no regular closing days, and on holidays we suggest going early to avoid sell-outs.
- 🍽️ Must-order: matcha red bean jelly ice cream
- 💰 Price: about ¥1,150
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Sanchu Tofu: Cold Tofu and Soy Milk Sweets from a Long-Established Saga Tofu Shop
Sanchu Tofu is a long-established tofu specialty shop in the Sagano area. Its signature cold tofu has a creamy, delicate texture, and it also offers specialty snacks such as soy milk soft serve and tofu donuts, suiting travelers who like light soy products.
The shop also sells fresh tofu and related processed foods for visitors to take home. It is on the Arashiyama shopping street, and please check opening hours and closing days before you go.
- 🍽️ Must-order: cold tofu
- 💰 Price: as posted at the shop
- 🚉 Access: on the Arashiyama shopping street
Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama Honten: A Michelin Three-Star Kaiseki Restaurant
“Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama Honten” is a Michelin three-star kaiseki restaurant offering authentic Kyoto kaiseki sets. Lunch sets start at about ¥36,750 (reserve 3 days ahead) in an elegant, private setting. Address: 58 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. Open 11:30 to 15:00 (lunch last order 13:00) and 16:30 to 21:00 (dinner last order 19:00), closed Wednesdays. Be sure to reserve early.
- 🍽️ Must-order: lunch kaiseki set
- 💰 Price: from about ¥36,750
- 🚉 Access: about 10 minutes’ walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Arashiyama Tickets and Tours Selection
The most representative ticketed experience in Arashiyama is the Sagano Scenic Railway, linking Torokko Saga Station and Torokko Kameoka Station, with a flat one-way fare. You can reserve through the official booking system (up to 8 people per booking, seat selection required and payment by credit card), or buy same-day tickets at the station windows, which open at about 8:35 at Saga Station, 8:50 at Arashiyama Station and 9:10 at Kameoka Station. For non-operating days, refer to the official website’s annual calendar.
Where to Stay Nearby
Arashiyama is on the west side of Kyoto, about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station. Travelers who want to avoid daytime crowds and stroll the Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge in the early morning or evening can stay at a hot spring inn around Arashiyama or return to the city to stay.
FAQ
Q: Which Arashiyama eateries are recommended?
Arashiyama YOSHIMURA soba, Unagiya Hirokawa, Taishō HANANA ochazuke and Nakamuraya croquettes near Togetsukyo Bridge are the four most popular must-eat choices in Arashiyama.
Q: What do you recommend for lunch in Arashiyama? How do I choose near Togetsukyo Bridge?
Lunch around Togetsukyo Bridge can be chosen by budget and willingness to queue. For Kyoto flavors without spending too much, the Arashiyama Yoshimura soba sets north of Togetsukyo Bridge cost about ¥2,300 to ¥2,500, and window seats overlook the Katsura River. For the signature eel rice, Unagiya Hirokawa’s unaju starts at ¥3,900 (before tax), open for lunch 11:00 to 15:00, closed Mondays, and we suggest reserving ahead. Taishō HANANA’s Tai Chazuke Gozen is ¥2,900 and open until about 15:30 (until sold out), suited to eating later and avoiding the noon crowd. On a tight budget or schedule, you can eat croquettes and matcha sweets as you walk along the Togetsukyo shopping street as a lunch. The busiest lunch time in Arashiyama is 12:00 to 13:00, and in peak season we suggest eating around 11 or after 13:30.
Q: How far in advance should I reserve Unagiya Hirokawa?
We suggest reserving at least one month ahead via the official website or by phone. Popular dining slots are often filled on the day reservations open.
Q: Which transport ticket should I buy for Arashiyama?
If you only plan Arashiyama as a single stop, a JR single ticket is suggested. If you plan to explore multiple stops nearby, the Randen one-day pass is recommended (check the official website for the price).
Q: Roughly how much does a meal in Arashiyama cost?
Snacks such as croquettes are about ¥80 to ¥150, proper meals such as eel rice or yudofu sets about ¥2,000 to ¥5,000, and high-end kaiseki costs ¥30,000 or more.
Q: When is the best season for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Arashiyama?
The best time for cherry blossoms is late March to early April, and for autumn leaves mid November to early December, when shops and sights are flooded with visitors.
Q: What etiquette should I know when dining in Arashiyama shops?
Most shops do not take reservations and you wait on site. At peak meal times we suggest avoiding 12:00 to 13:00, and when queuing please stay quiet and wait in order.
Q: How long does it take from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama?
The JR Sagano Line takes as little as about 16 minutes to Saga-Arashiyama Station, the fastest of all the ways to get there.
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