Kyoto W · ArashiyamaNo.177★★★Open in map →
Togetsukyo Bridge
A 155-metre wooden-railed bridge spanning the Katsura River in western Kyoto, with the forested slopes of Mount Arashiyama as its backdrop. The scene shifts dramatically with each season.
Togetsukyo — Moon Crossing Bridge — takes its name from a story about Emperor Kameyama during the Kamakura period, who watched the moon appear to travel across the bridge and gave it that name. The 155-metre crossing sits where the Katsura River narrows between the Arashiyama and Kameyama mountains; the current structure's railings are hinoki cypress, though its structural beams are reinforced concrete, completed in June 1934. The river floods and the view greys in winter; it bursts into blossoms in late March and early April along the banks, and the mountain slopes behind the bridge turn amber and red from mid-November. Crossing the bridge takes you directly toward the Tenryuji garden and the bamboo grove beyond.
Background & history
A bridge at this crossing is recorded since the 9th century, said to have been first constructed between 834 and 848 on the orders of a Buddhist monk. The name 'Togetsukyo' was bestowed by Emperor Kameyama during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), who thought the moon looked as though it was crossing the bridge. The structure was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over the centuries, including damage during the Sengoku civil wars. The current form, completed in 1934, keeps a traditional appearance with its cypress wood railings while using modern concrete supports below water.
What to look for — in walking order
- The bridge view from the south bank
- the classic angle: bridge in the foreground, Mount Arashiyama's forested slopes rising behind — best in cherry blossom season or autumn foliage
- Katsura River boat landing
- rowboats and cormorant fishing boats moored on the north bank; cormorant fishing trips run in summer evenings
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove approach
- a 5-minute walk north from the bridge leads into the narrow bamboo corridor behind Tenryuji
- Togetsu-kyo from the bridge itself
- walking across gives a river-level view of the mountains in both directions; the upstream gorge is visible to the north-west
How to enjoy it
The bridge is free to cross and open around the clock. The area is busiest in cherry blossom season (late March–early April) and during autumn colour (mid-November to early December), when crowds fill the approach. Early morning arrivals — before 8:00 — give you the bridge and riverside largely to yourself at any season. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, follow the main road south-west; the bridge is about an 8-minute walk. Combine the crossing with a walk to the bamboo grove and Tenryuji to complete the Arashiyama loop.
How to actually get there
- Kyoto Station → Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line, ~11 min, rapid or local).
- From the station, follow the main road south-west through the souvenir street for ~8 min; the bridge appears ahead.
- Cross the bridge for mountain views in both directions; continue north for the bamboo grove and Tenryuji garden.
- Kyoto Station → Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line)
- From Kyoto Station (Sagano Line platform, tracks 31–34), take a rapid or local train on the JR Sagano/San-in Line bound for Kameoka or Sonobe. Ride about 11 minutes to Saga-Arashiyama Station (the stop after Hanazono). From the station, follow signs south through the small shopping street — the bridge is about an 8-minute walk. Rapid trains are faster; local trains stop at all stations but also serve Saga-Arashiyama.
- Return from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kyoto
- Walk back to Saga-Arashiyama Station and take the JR Sagano Line back to Kyoto Station (~11 min). Trains run roughly every 15–20 minutes. No booking needed — buy a ticket at the machine or tap an IC card.
Before you go
- Cash
- Crossing the bridge is free. There is no admission charge for the riverside area. Tenryuji garden admission is separate (1,000 yen for the garden, more for the buildings). JR trains accept IC cards (ICOCA, Suica) or paper tickets from the machine.
- Closing days
- The area around the bridge and bamboo grove becomes very crowded at weekends during cherry blossom and autumn foliage season — arriving before 8:00 makes a significant difference. The river can flood and paths may close after heavy rain.
- Another way
- From Shijo-Kawaramachi (Gion area), the Keifuku Arashiyama Line from Shijo Omiya Station runs to Arashiyama Station, about a 5-minute walk north of the bridge. From Umeda (Osaka), take the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Katsura, transfer to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Station (~20 min walk to the bridge).
- After you get off
- From Saga-Arashiyama Station exit, walk straight south along the main Arashiyama road for about 8 minutes; the bridge comes into view above the rooftops of the small souvenir street.