Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋)

The Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Katsura River. Located near the popular Arashiyama area, it’s always crowded with tourists. But the view from here is spectacular. No wonder so many travelers come here.

It is said that the Togetsukyo bridge was first built by the monk Dosho during the Shōwa period (834-848). And a wealthy merchant Suminokura Ryoi built the bridge in its present location later in the early Edo Period. The bridge in use today was completed in June 1934. This was the early Showa area.

The bridge was named Togetsukyo, which means a moving-moon-bridge. This is because Emperor Kameyama commented that the moon moving over the bridge “looks as if a full moon is crossing the bridge in the cloudless night sky”.

Kyoto City Official Travel Guide

Early morning visits are recommended to enjoy the quiet scenery. Because the Bridge and neighboring Arashiyama area are always full of tourists in the day time.

Nearby spots from Togetsukyo bridge

You can see the Horinji Temple‘s pagoda from the Togetsukyo Bridge, which is one of the most famous views of Arashiyama.

Horinji Temple (法輪寺)

You will find Senkoji Temple about 20 minutes up the road on the right bank of the Katsura River. This path is quiet and offers beautiful scenery.

Senkoji Temple

Fukuda Art Museum may be a must visit if you love Japanese paintings such as Ito Jakuchu.

Fukuda Art Museum

Tenryuji Temple is a World Heritage site. Don’t miss its Japanese garden.

Tenryuji Temple (天龍寺), Arashiyama

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is another very popular and busy place. However, you may get a chance to take a shot of bamboo forest without tourists if you go there early in the morning. So best hours to visit the Arashiyama area is early morning anyway.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (嵐山竹林の小径)