Arashiyama Bamboo Grove To Kinkakuji Temple
How to Get from Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to Kinkaku-ji Temple
Wondering how to get from the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)? If you do not plan to rent a car in Japan, the train is your best option.
Kinkaku-ji Temple and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest are often both on travelers’ bucket list for Kyoto. This handy guide will tell you how to travel from the bamboo grove to the temple.
Planning a trip to Kinkaku-ji Temple and the Golden Pavilion? Visit our Kinkaku-ji Temple home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Japan, check out some of the top things to do in Japan, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Kinkaku-ji Temple by Train
By the JR Sagano Line
In Arashiyama, head to the Saga Arashiyama Station, about a 10 to 12 minute walk.
From Saga Arashiyama Station, travel on the JR Sagano Line to Enmachi Station (sometimes spelled as Emmachi Station). The train ride takes about 7 minutes and there are frequent trains.
Rapid trains stop at both Saga Arashiyama and Enmachi stations. You can use your Japan Rail pass, if you have one, for this journey.
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Once you alight at Enmachi Station, catch the local bus to the Kinkakuji-michi bus stop, from where the temple is a quick walk.
By the Keifuku Railway (Randen)
From the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, it is about a 10-minute walk to the Randen Arashiyama Station.
Take the Arashiyama Line from the Randen Arashiyama Station to Katabiranotsuji Station, where you will transfer to the Kitano Line. The journey takes about 8 minutes.
From Katabiranotsuji Station, travel by the Keifuku Railway (Randen Tram) Kitano Line to Kitano-Hakubaicho Station. This train ride takes about 11 minutes.
Once you alight at Kitano-Hakubaicho Station, take the bus to the Kinkakuji-michi bus stop. You can also choose to walk the 20-minute stretch.
With transfer time, expect the station-to-station journey to take about 25 minutes.
You cannot use your JR Rail Pass on the Randen Tram.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to Kinkaku-ji Temple by Taxi
If you aren’t on a strict budget, a taxi is the quickest way to get from the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Kinkaku-ji Temple.
The journey is about 8 kilometers and will likely cost around 3,500 yen (about USD 23.00). The ride lasts about 10 minutes in normal traffic.