TOGETSUKYO BRIDGE

Togetsukyo Bridge, located in Kyoto, Japan, is a picturesque landmark renowned for its breathtaking views of the Arashiyama district. Spanning the Hozu River, this iconic bridge translates to "Moon Crossing Bridge," reflecting the ethereal beauty of the surrounding landscape. Constructed in the 9th century and later reconstructed in the 1930s, the bridge seamlessly blends traditional Japanese architecture with modern engineering. Surrounded by lush bamboo groves and cherry blossoms, Togetsukyo offers a captivating panorama of the changing seasons, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The Togetsukyo bridge is one of the most sought after landmarks in Arashiyama district in Japan’s Western Kyoto. This bridge is more than 400 years old and is built over the Katsura river. The bridge is located in front of the ARashiyama mountain and comes with the best views too. During the spring season, the Togetsukyo bridge comes alive with cherry blossoms and continues to attract tourists from around the world. A visit to this iconic bridge is a must on any Japan trip, offering breathtaking scenery and a glimpse into the country’s rich history.

This bridge has been featured in a lot of historical films. The locals consider this place holy as it is used for the important initiation ceremony. In this ceremony, young boys and girls would be blessed from the nearby temple and would walk across the bridge. They are not supposed to look back otherwise bad luck will follow. So it is quite evident that this bridge is of great importance for the people.

Highlights

• Try out the traditional wooden boat ride at Yakatabune boat ride and travel up stream of up to one kilometre.
• Take a three seater boat at the Yakatabune boat ride and enjoy the pleasant ride that lasts for up to 1 kilometre.
• Satisfy your craving for adrenaline and witness the best of nature by trying out the Hozugawa Kudari boat ride.
• Unwind and spend some of your leisure time at the Arashiyama park after a long day of exploring Togetsukyo bridge.
• Witness the best of cherry blossoms near and around the Togetsukyo bridge during the summer season.

How To Reach

1. By Car: The Togetsukyo bridge is 10 km from the city centre, it will take 28 min via the Route number 111.

2. By Train/ metro: Take a train to Saga Arashiyama station which is 850 metres away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 11-minute walk

Best Time To Visit

Togetsukyo bridge is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year. 

1. The best season to visit Togetsukyo bridge will be the summer season from March to June because this is the time when the climate is pleasant. 

2. The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year. 

3. The best time of the day to visit the Togetsukyo bridge will be morning due to less crowds and a favourable temperature.

Other Essential Information

• You can visit the Togetsukyo bridge even by taking a boat ride.
• Visiting the Togetsukyo bridge during the summer season will give you the best view of the cherry blossoms near the bridge. 
• Many of the old style houses on the way to the Togetsukyo bridge are actually cafes that you can check out. 
• Download Google translate to help you get around, especially in places where the locals do not know English.
• Get a Japan Rail Pass to help you get around in the city of Kyoto in a hassle-free way.