Stunning Day Trips from Kyoto: Arashiyama, Uji & Miho Museum in Focus

Want to explore Kyoto's surroundings or need a change in scenery? Here are three convenient day trip suggestions to spice up your trip!

If you are templed out from Kyoto downtown or need a change in scenery, it might be worth considering going onto a day trip to one of Kyoto's surrounding neighbourhoods. A visit to the world famous Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama is probably the most common and famous suggestion you will come across when doing research or scrolling through social media- and yes, it is integrated into my day trip suggestions! But have you ever considered visiting Uji, a picturesque town only 20min. away by train, world famous for its green tea (matcha) production? Or what about something more exotic and surreal, such as visiting an arts museum whose architecture interweaves into its mountainous environment to emphasise blissful harmony between arts and nature?

Let me introduce three enjoyable yet very different day-trip options from Kyoto to think about:

Arashiyama: One possibilities is visiting one of Japan's most scenic areas, located in the western outskirts of the city, namely Arashiyama. A cultural district, where you will be able to walk through the viral Bamboo Forest, pass the famous Moon-crossing Bridge, experience well-preserved ancient temple premises, such as the famous Moss Temple, and stroll around the bustling streets of the old town.
Uji: Next to Arashiyama, Uji is a stone's throw aways from Kyoto's center, situated right between Kyoto and Nara. It's the surreal paradise for matcha lovers, exceptional green tea and a perfect blend between cultural heritage and scenic beauty. Everything, literally everything here is matcha-themed and/or green-tea infused. From chocolates to coffee specialties, ice cream and desserts to even savoury dishes, like Udon, Soba or Ramen noodles, Uji has it all!
Miho Museum: Last but not least, the Miho Museum embodies an exceptional museum experience due to its spectacular blend of modern architecture integrated into the natural surroundings of Shigaraki mountains. Inspired and built by the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, who is mostly known for the creation of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, 80% of the museums premises are built underground to protect its natural environment, emphasizing harmony between arts and nature. Next to an exquisite selection of arts, the architecture of the museum itself is a must-see one should definitely consider, even though getting there takes a bit longer!

Curious to learn more? Let's jump right into it!

Arashiyama

On the Western outskirts of Kyoto, only 30 minutes by train, you will find the beautiful district of Arashiyama. This place if mainly known for its cultural landmarks, historic temples and mesmerising natural scenery, which is especially enchanting during fall or cherry blossom season. Depending on what you are planning to see, half a day up to a full day of sightseeing will give you plenty of time to explore Arashiyama in depth.

Things to Do & See in Arashiyama

Sagano Scenic Railway: the romantic way of traveling to- and from Arashiyama!

A unique way to get to Arashiyama is by taking the Sagano Scenic Railway, also known as Sagano Romantic Train. This is a sightseeing train line operating between Arashiyama and Kameoka along the Hozugawa River at slow pace for passengers to see, soak in and take pictures of the beautifully surrounding landscape they are passing through. The interior of the train is designed in an old-fashioned vintage-style, featuring old wooden benches. Each train hosts a total of four closed carriages (windows can be opened), plus one open-air car to sit in.

Trains usually operate every 30 - 60min, starting from 9am in the morning (timetables might underly seasonal changes). Trains do not operate on Wednesdays and during end of December to end of February! One way usually takes around 25min for 880JPY/person. You do not need to purchase a back- and forth ticket, as you can simply hop on any JR line for taking the metro back to Kyoto.

Tickets for Sagano can either be purchased online, through service providers, such as Klook, or at Torokko Kameoka Station. Ensure to reserve your tickets in a timely manner, as reservations usually are booked out in no time- I did not manage to hop on the train myself unfortunately, but at least saw it passing by with a crying eye.

Click here to check on fares and timetables.

Arashiyama's icon: the famous Bamboo Forest

One of the most iconic spots in Arashiyama is the Bamboo Forest, also referred to as Bamboo Grove. Its walk stretches for around 500m and slightly moves uphill. It'll take you no longer than 20min. to pass the trail along the shimmering green bamboo stalks. The entrance to the forest is located near Tenryu-Temple and leads you towards Okochi Sanso Villa. Several walking trails around the area can be explored by foot.

My personal advise: if you are planning on taking photos of the natural scenery of Bamboo Forest, come here early in the morning (anytime before 9, some people even arrive between 6 - 7am) to have a rather empty space to walk through and enjoy. Everything after 9am, especially once tourist bus companies start coming into Arashiyama, will leave you stranded in huge masses of people without being able to move.

Top or flop? If you are familiar with bamboo and cultivated areas, as to be found in other areas of Asia, this place might not be as captivating as oftentimes hyped on e.g. Social Media. However, it delivers a beautiful contrast to the bustling busy city life of Kyoto and is appreciated by both locals and tourists as a recreational area to recharge their batteries.

Practical Information

Address: Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

How to get there: Take the JR Sagano Line towards Saga-Arashiyama Station. Alternatively, take either the Keifuku Randen Tram Line to Arashiyama Station, or take the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Katsura Station, transfer to Hankyu Arashiyama Line and head towards Arashiyama Station.

In all cases, you will only need to walk 10 - 15min. maximum

Opening Hours: open all year around

Admission: free of charge

Togetsukyo Bridge: moon-crossing bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge is another great and historic landmark of Arashiyama, connecting the southern and northern shore of Arashiyama above Katsura River, whilst offering wonderful panoramic views onto the mountain . Originally built during the Heian period (794 - 1185), the bridge has burnt down several times, though been reconstructed (latest establishment from 1934). Emperor Kameyama, who used to rule during the Heian period, once noted during a moon viewing party that the moon seems to wander the bridge at night, which is why Togetsukyo is oftentimes referred to as "moon-walking bridge". If you have the chance to stay until dawn, you might want to validate this statement by finding out yourself whether and to what extent the moon wanders across Togetsukyo at night. Let me know in the comments about your experiences, if you fancy; I'd be curious to find out!

The northern shore, the so-called "Arashiyama side", contains most of Arashiyama's tourist attractions, including the Bamboo Forest, Tenryu Temple, several souvenir stores and restaurants, as well as the Randen-Arashiyama Station. On the southern end you will find Iwatayama Monkey Park, Hankyu Arashiyama Station and a more quiet environment with plenty of beautiful walking trails to enjoy.

Interestingly, the name of the river flowing beneath the bridge changes depending on its location. For instance, the upper course of the river is called Oigawa, the middle course is names Hozugawa and the lower course goes by the name Katsuragawa.

Practical Information

Address: Saga, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8383, Japan

How to get there: a few minutes walk from either Hankyu- Arashiyama or Randen-Arashiyama Station

Arashiyama's Temples and Shrines: discovering holy grounds

Uji: Japan's finest Green Tea

Uji- a funny name, isn't it? I firstly stumbled across this place whilst scrolling Social Media for some insider tipps around Japan and clicked on an appealing reel, in which cozy cafe locations alongside a mind-calming river and a cup of warming matcha latte were shown. And matcha is the key word, my friends, because this is what Uji is all about!

Prior to continuing, let's quickly have a look onto one of the most commonly asked questions when talking about green tea, namely:

What is the actual difference between green tea and matcha?

The actual difference between green tea and matcha comes down to its growing procedure, processing and preparation.

Green tea, e.g. sencha, is usually grown under the sun. Picked leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. When consuming, the dried leaves are poured with hot water and discarded after a short period of time. The taste is light, slightly bitter and contains a moderate content of caffeine (30-50mg/cup).

Matcha, in comparison, is mainly grown in the shades, at least several weeks before harvesting. Compared to the green tea leaf processing, matcha is neither rolled nor dried, but directly ground into powder. Preparing a tea, matcha powder is carefully whisked into hot water. The taste is creamy, yet strong & bitter, with a high content of caffeine (60 - 80mg/cup) based on the fact that you consume the entire tea leaf in one cup.

Considered as Japan's birthplace for finest green tea, Uji features an overwhelming offer of tea-infused and tea-flavoured goodies to eat and drink your way through. With approximately 180.000 inhabitants, it is a rather small city to visit, however, surrounded by beautiful nature, rivers and Japanese gardens that invite for an afternoon walk.

Being located in proximity to the former imperial cities Nara and Kyoto has made Uji a popular destination for nobility in former times during the Heian Period (794 - 1185). Due to this, most historical sightseeing attractions, including temples and shrines, tea houses, as well as the famous Uji-bashi bridge, originate from this era.

Things to Do & See in Uji

Byodo-in Omotesando Street: Matcha Heaven

Getting out the subway and walking into Uji Town, you will hardly miss Byodo-in Omotesando Street. Here, you will find plenty of tea- and souvenir stores where you can pretty much buy everything related to matcha or matcha-flavoured delicacies. From sweets and desserts, such as ice cream, rice cakes, candies, chocolates, hot & cold matcha drinks up to savoury matcha soba, matcha udon noodles or curry sauces, this street truly offers matcha-related goodies you have not even thought about in your wildest dreams. Some of the stores even offer a glimpse of the traditional tea leaf processing demonstrations, which typically include the grinding of freshly dried green tea leafs.

Due to its high level of antioxidants and rumored superfood, green tea and matcha have drastically increased in popularity during the last years, especially in the Western world (Starbucks iced matcha lattes for example are a trend for its own, I suppose). This is also why more and more tourists bustle around stalls and souvenir stores, tasting different varieties of green tea creations. The fact that matcha is served in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies once more underlines its rooting in Japanese culture.

Practical Information:

Address: Renge Uji, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan

How to get there: Take a subway line to JR Uji Station; from here it is a quick 10min. walk

Opening Hours: vary per stall & store, most commonly opening times start between 9am -10am and last until 5pm - 6pm)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Byodo-in Temple & Ujigama Shrine

As almost every place in Japan, Uji hosts several temples and shrines, out of which the Byodo-in Temple and the Ujigama Shrine are especially worth mentioning, since they both belong to the UNESCO World Culture Heritage Sites.

The already mentioned Uji-bashi Bridge is another landmark to not miss out on, as it counts to one out of the three oldest bridges in Japan, offering scenic views onto Uji River Uji-gawa.

River Promenade, Botanical Garden & Chazuna Tea Facility

It's Mario! Nintendo Museum for big and small!

If you thought Uji is all about green tea experiences, you are wrong. Uji features another really cool attraction, namely the Nintendo Museum: an interactive 3-building exhibition experience with a nostalgic touch when reflecting back on your first Super Mario Kart game ever played. The exhibition features several interactive gaming opportunities, workshops and of course the history of one of the world's most famous video game producers, Nintentdo.

!Please note!

Tickets must be reserved & purchased 3 months prior to your planned visit!

Find more information here.

Practical Information:

Address: Kaguraden-56 Oguracho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0042, Japan

How to get there: Take any subway line (e.g. Kintetsu Railway starting from Kyoto or the JR Nara Line) towards Ogura Station. Walk between 5 - 22min.

Opening Hours: 8am - 6pm, closed on Tuesdays

Admission: 3.300JPY

Miho Museum: heavenly utopia of arts & nature

A totally different, unique and certainly enchanting option to spend a day outside of Kyoto's districts is the Miho Museum- a mesmerising space that does not only feature an exquisite collection of up to 500 Asian and Western antiquities, but moreover combines a perfect blend of art, nature and architecture through its location in the beautifully enclosed nature of the Shigaraki mountains. I got this recommendation from a lovely Norwegian girl whilst chatting in our room over different sightseeing spots and experiences and I can only warm-heartedly pass her recommendation onto you for a magical experience you won't regret!

Designed by the famous architect I. M. Pei, who is mainly known for his architectual wonder of the Louvre museum in Paris, Pei's work was inspired by the so called "heavenly utopia", which is manifested in the ancient work "Taohua Yuan Ji" (Peach Blossom Spring) by the Chinese poet Tao Yuanming. The result speaks for itself.

When walking towards the entrance of the museum, you will bypass a rather long tunnel walk prior to passing a suspension bridge prior to reaching the main entrance. Roughly 80% of the museum are built underground to protect the natural surroundings of nature and therefore not visible to the eye at first glance. A simple, yet modern and angular architecture with plenty of glass surroundings embrace time for personal self-reflexion whilst experiencing an immersion between art and the seemingly infinite expansion of surrounding mountain panoramas. An experience of a different kind, which requires a relatively complex journey to and from the destination, but is nevertheless enchanting.

Get some first impressions about the beauty of this place here.