Cycling Kyoto Tenryuji Temple

自転車で嵐山の天龍寺へ

This week's Arashiyama route is a really short ride from the main drag of Arashiyama to Tenryuji Temple.

Tenryuji Temple is a World Heritage site close to the Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Line. It is one of the Five Great Zen temples of Kyoto.

The temple was established in 1339 C.E. by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji and is known for its gardens and views of the surrounding mountains.

It was the residence of Emperor Go-Saga in 1270.

When Go-Daigo, yet another resident Emperor, died in 1338, Muko Takauji, a zen priest, had a dream in which Go-Daigo rose from the Oi River in Arashiyama. The late emperor rose in the form of a gold dragon.

To appease the spirt of the deceased emperor, Takauji ordered the building of Tenyuji Temple.

Tenryuji expanded over time, numbering 150 sub-temples and spreading almost to Koryuji Temple in Uzumasa.

It is most crowded in the autumn when the fall colors are at their peak.

Directions

From the street in front of the Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Line, turn right and head north. Tenryuji is on the left a short distance.


Information

The most direct way to get from central Kyoto to Arashiyama is to head west on Marutamachi Dori - for about 30 minutes.

For those with a bike bag, the most pain free way is to take the train to JR Saga Arashiyama is a 15+ minute from Kyoto Station.



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Bicycle Parking Sign Tenryuji Temple Kyoto

天龍寺駐輪場看板

Just off the main drag in Arashiyama, the temple-filled area in western Kyoto, is the World Heritage site Tenryuji Temple.

To the left, or south, of the main entrance is a lot for bicycles and motorcycles.

It is noted with a monolingual sign that, thanks to the image at the bottom, is clear enough.

On a geeky linguistic note, the sign reads: 駐輪場 (churinba). This is instead of the more common 駐輪所 (churinjo). The bike lots in town tend toward the latter, perhaps more modern, reading.

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Cycling Tenryuji Temple Kyoto

自転車で天龍寺へ

Cycling in Arashiyama offers so many sites and places to see - and some serious obstacles - that choosing a route is key.

Above all, stay off the main drag as much as possible. The street that runs from roughly the JR tracks down to the Katsura River at Togetsukyo Bridge is packed, year round, with tourists and those catering to their whims.

Except when crossing the bridge, it is best to stay off.

Once away, though, the fun starts. Even Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site located on the main drag that is very popular, can be approached from side streets which are pedestrian and cyclist friendly.

If you are coming from the Hankyu Railways side, cross the Togetsukyo Bridge, turn left at the first street. After you pass Kitcho - a three-star Michelin restaurant - and a few other fabulous buildings head north into the neighborhood that borders the temple.

Get lost. Find the statuary in front of a temple wall. Keep pedaling. Go into an old antique shop. Find the temple.

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Arashiyama
Kyoto
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Tenryuji