Western Kyoto Arashiyama~Kinkakuji Loop Course(1day)
Umino Kyoto E-BikesThe Arashiyama area in the west of Kyoto has flourished as a resort for ancient aristocrats, as the tomb of successive emperors, and as the site of a proxy government. Nowadays, a few spots are crowded with tourists, creating a hellish state, but if you ride an E-Bike about 500m up the mountain, you will find a serene landscape that has not changed in 1000 years. This is the best area for cycling in Kyoto.
28km(17mi)
1 day
Road situation;
Protected Bicycle Sidewalk
& Sometimes crowded roads
& Path where almost no cars pass
This trail is about 26km long, but is very informative so will take a full day, or you could halve it if you want to explore the area in more depth and at a more leisurely pace.
The starting point can be anywhere in Kyoto City, but for now we will explain the route assuming you start by renting a bicycle from our Saiin store.
If you head straight west from Saiin, you will reach the Katsura River. The Katsura River runs north to south through the western part of Kyoto and has been the scene of many historical events for 1000 years.
This is also the starting point of one of the largest cycling roads in western Japan, and by traveling 180km along the river you can reach Osaka, Koyasan, and other places.
IIf you head north along the Katsura River, you will soon reach Arashiyama. Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Togetsukyo Bridge has been very crowded recently, so it's best to avoid crossing it by riding on the north side of the river from the start.
The 500m section from Togetsukyo Bridge is very crowded, so take your time.
Our recommended route avoids this spot, but if you really want to visit the famous places, it's worth going there.
To the north of Arashiyama lies Sagano, a sparsely populated area that retains the atmosphere of an old post town.
Park your bike at the bicycle parking lot at Nenbutsuji Temple in Sagano and take a stroll around the temple. There are many small Jizo statues, each representing a different world.
If you head east from Sagano, you will come across a former aristocratic resort area.
It is also a sacred area managed by the Imperial Household Agency and contains the tombs of past emperors. You can enter normally, but there are rarely any tourists.
Once you leave the tomb, you will come to an area where old historical rice fields from the Heian period have been preserved.
You can also enjoy a light meal at the teahouse while admiring the beautiful Hirosawa Pond.
About 2 km east from Hirosawa Pond is the World Heritage Site Ninna-ji Temple, a beautiful temple with a five-story pagoda and garden inside.
Heading north from Ninnaji Temple, you'll enter the beautiful and quiet road up Mt. Okita. It's a tough climb, so an e-bike is recommended.
The mountains in northern Kyoto are famous for producing Kitayama cedar, which is known as the world's highest quality cedar, and you can see beautiful rows of cedar trees.
Once you pass through Mt. Okita, you will arrive at Shozan Resort, located north of Kinkakuji Temple. This area has flourished as an art village for 400 years, and today it is home to Nishijin textile manufacturers and global hotel brands such as Hilton and Aman. There are also restaurants and cafes, and you can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens and streams.
The last stop is Kinkakuji Temple. It is a famous golden temple, and is said to have been built 600 years ago by the Shogun to demonstrate the dignity of the samurai to the nobles. In addition to the golden temple, there are other sights to see, such as the gardens and gates.
There is also a bicycle parking area.
To make this trip comfortable
1. Rent a E-Bike at Saiin, Kyoto
Our store is the only rental shop in Kyoto City that stocks high-performance e-bikes and road bikes that can withstand long rides. Please feel free to rent one.
2. Guided tours of this course are also available.
We can provide a half-day tour of half of it. Our shop is run by a Japanese bicycle enthusiast who has lived in Kyoto for a long time, and knows Kyoto better than any other shop.
We can also provide pick-up from your hotel, so please feel free to use our service!
