What This Half Day Actually Looks Like
Walking Routes in Arashiyama
Hands-On Vegan Cooking Experience
Dietary and Practical Info
This page explains the practical details of the experience, so you can decide calmly whether it fits your journey.
It is meant to be read after the main page, once you feel that the atmosphere may suit you.
Overview
This experience is a half day in Arashiyama, designed around a simple and natural flow:
Walk → Cook → Eat freshly made food
Rather than separating sightseeing and meals, we connect them into one continuous rhythm.
【Total time】
Approximately 5 hours
【Structure】
1:00 PM - 3:50 PM A quiet, self-guided walk in Arashiyama
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM Meet your host in front of the station → Walk to their home (3 minutes) Meeting location: In front of Arashiyama Station (Hankyu Line)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM A hands-on cooking session in our home. Eating your freshly made ramen and gyoza
This is not a guided tour.
You walk at your own pace and meet us at the end of the walk.
【Note】
Reservations for the cooking experience are required in advance.
The Walk
If you come to Arashiyama, we believe it is worth experiencing what makes this area feel like Arashiyama.
At the same time, we avoid routes where large numbers of tourists gather.
The walking route connects places that we, as locals, regularly visit and genuinely enjoy.
If your goal is only to be in untouched nature, there are many other places in Japan that may suit you better.
But if you are visiting Arashiyama, we hope you will feel its unique balance of history, daily life, and landscape.
Route Maps (Reference)
To help you decide whether this walk suits you, we provide three simple reference maps.
These maps are not routes you must follow exactly.
They are guides to help you understand distance, terrain, and how the walk can be adjusted.
・Route ① – Main Walk
The standard route connecting quiet temples and residential paths.
・Route ② – With Bamboo Grove
Includes the bamboo grove if you wish to experience a well-known Arashiyama landscape.
・Route ③ – With Kameyama Park Viewpoint
Adds a short but steeper climb with a scenic viewpoint. This is the most physically demanding option.
You may skip any section depending on your energy level, weather, or preference.
Route structure and flexibility
The walk is designed as a flexible route.
You do not need to visit every location.
Depending on your energy level, the weather, or your mood, you may skip certain sections.
Starting point: Seiryo-ji Temple (Saga Shakado)
This is where the walk begins.
The location is easy to reach by public transportation and on foot.
Nison-in Temple
You walk toward Nison-in along a stone-paved path.
This section is about the pleasure of walking itself rather than reaching a destination.
Rakushisha (The Hut of the Fallen Persimmons)
This is a quiet place that still carries the atmosphere of old Japan.
Many people feel naturally inclined to slow down here.
Jojakko-ji Temple
From the upper part of the grounds, the view opens up.
There is some uphill walking, but the scenery makes it worthwhile.
Ogura Chaya (optional stop)
If you would like to take a short break, you can stop here for tea or traditional sweets.
You may also skip this stop and continue to the next section.
Bamboo Grove Path (optional)
If you would like to experience a well-known Arashiyama landscape, you may choose to pass through the bamboo grove.
If it is crowded, there is no need to force yourself to go.
Kameyama Park Observation Point (optional)
This is a small hill, but from the top you can enjoy views of the Hozu River and surrounding scenery.
Reaching the top offers a clear sense of hiking-style accomplishment.
This section requires the most physical effort.
Please feel free to skip it if you prefer a gentler walk.
Togetsukyo Bridge
After crossing Togetsukyo Bridge, the walk enters its final stage.
From here, the meeting point is close.
Meeting point:
Park in front of Arashiyama Station Hankyu Line
We meet at the small park in front of Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
The Cooking Experience
After meeting, we walk about three minutes to our home.
It is an ordinary Japanese house, around 50 years old.
This is not a cooking studio or a restaurant.
Here, you will make:
・Vegan ramen
・Vegan Gyoza
We chose these dishes because they are familiar, comforting, and easy to recreate after your trip.
This is a hands-on experience.
Rather than watching a demonstration, you will cook step by step.
Once the cooking is finished, you will enjoy the food while it is freshly made and hot.
Dietary Notes
Vegan / vegetarian: supported
・Gluten-free: partially possible (please consult us in advance)
・Mild allergies: may be accommodated depending on details
・For safety reasons, we may not be able to accept guests with severe allergies.
Who This Is For / Not For
This experience suits people who:
・Enjoy walking in quiet environments
・Prefer traveling at their own pace
・Feel tired of highly efficient, checklist-style sightseeing
・Value small, personal experiences
This experience may not suit people who:
・Want to see many places in a short time
・Prefer guided tours
・Find long walks physically difficult
Reservation
This experience is offered in very small groups.
If this half day feels as though it would fit naturally into your journey,
please choose a date that works for you and make a reservation.
This reservation will be handled on Airbnb, our booking partner.
Please check availability there.
If you are interested in our cooking classes, click here