When people think of places to see autumn leaves in Kyoto, Arashiyama is one of the first names that comes up. Above all, Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River, and the mountains rising behind it are known as the view that represents Arashiyama.
In this article, I introduce the autumn leaves around Togetsukyo Bridge with photos from my visit to Arashiyama around November 10, 2022. I have also summarized the usual peak season for the leaves as checked on Kyoto City’s tourism website, access from Kyoto Station and Shijō-Kawaramachi, and things to watch out for during the crowded season.
That day, I headed to Arashiyama after visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijō Castle, and then went on to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The full day is described in “Kansai Trip Day 1: Kyoto” (Japanese).
Note: The access and peak-season information was checked on October 28, 2026, on Kyoto Kanko Navi (the official website of the Kyoto City Tourism Association).
About Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge
Togetsukyo Bridge is in Arashiyama, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto City, and spans the Katsura River. According to Kyoto Kanko Navi, its address is “京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町1-5” (1-5 Saga-Tenryūji Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto City).
The name (“moon-crossing bridge”) is said to come from Retired Emperor Kameyama, who described the sight of the moon seeming to cross over the bridge as “like a cloudless moon crossing over” (Kyoto Kanko Navi also notes that there are several theories).
Around the bridge, riverside paths and buildings line the banks, and mountains covered in autumn colors rise close behind. Kyoto Kanko Navi introduces Arashiyama as a famous spot for autumn leaves, selected as one of “Japan’s 100 Best Autumn Leaf Spots.”
Togetsukyo Bridge seen from the riverbank. On the mountain beyond the bridge, red and yellow trees are beginning to appear.
When the Leaves at Togetsukyo Bridge Peak, and the Colors Around November 10
The Usual Peak Season for Autumn Leaves in Arashiyama
According to the autumn leaves information on Kyoto Kanko Navi, the leaves in Arashiyama usually peak from mid to late November. The peak shifts earlier or later depending on that year’s temperatures, so it is a good idea to check the latest autumn leaves report before you go.
Around Togetsukyo Bridge on About November 10, 2022
I took these photos around November 10, a little before the peak. Looking at the photos, the mountain as a whole was still mostly green, with red, orange, and yellow trees scattered here and there.
Zooming in on the mountain with a telephoto lens makes the colored trees easy to see. On the bridge, you can see lines of people and a light blue bus driving across.
The mountain behind Togetsukyo Bridge. It was the early part of the season, with red, yellow, and green mixed in patches.
When I visited, my impression was that there was a bit more green. Even so, some of the trees had changed color, so it was beautiful.
Seeing Togetsukyo Bridge Up Close
When you get close to the bridge, you can clearly see the wooden railings and the many piers standing in the river. In front of the bridge, the river flowed down over a step in the riverbed, foaming white, and sunlight was reflecting off the water.
Togetsukyo Bridge up close. Many people are walking across on the bridge’s sidewalk.
The View Upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge
Looking upstream from the riverbank near Togetsukyo Bridge, the scenery changes completely. A weir runs in a straight line across the river, and above it, where the water is calm, many rowboats and roofed boats were floating.
Near the bank, clusters of red and yellow trees could be seen, with clearer colors than on the upper part of the mountain.
The weir upstream and the river with boats floating on it. The trees on the bank had changed color earlier than those on the mountain.
Stepping back a little from the riverbank, you can see buildings lining the river and, far away, the mountains in the distance. The sky was clear and blue that day, and the surface of the river looked blue too.
Buildings with tiled roofs line the river, and you can also see people walking along the bank.
Walking the Riverside Path
A stone-paved path runs along the river, so you can walk while looking up at the mountain. The mountain on the left is covered with trees all over its slope, and in autumn the colored trees seem to come right down to the river.
The riverside path. You can take in the mountain slope and the river at the same time.
How to Get to Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge
These are the routes I checked on Kyoto Kanko Navi (checked on October 28, 2026; travel times do not include time for transfers).
From Kyoto Station
- Take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 11 minutes by rapid train). From the station, it is about an 8-minute walk to Togetsukyo Bridge.
- If you use the subway, take the Karasuma Line to Karasuma-Oike Station, transfer to the Tōzai Line, and go to Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station. From there, take the Keifuku Electric Railroad (Randen) Arashiyama Main Line to the last stop, Arashiyama Station.
From Shijō-Kawaramachi
- Take the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Katsura Station, transfer to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line, and ride to the last stop, Arashiyama Station.
- If you use the Randen, take the Arashiyama Main Line from Shijō-Ōmiya Station to Arashiyama Station. From the station, it is about a 4-minute walk to Togetsukyo Bridge.
According to Kyoto Kanko Navi, from Hankyu Arashiyama Station you walk from the station square through a park and over an arched bridge to reach Togetsukyo Bridge. If you use one line on the way there and another on the way back, you can walk without retracing your steps.
Togetsukyo Bridge Gets Crowded in Autumn Leaves Season
Even on the day I took these photos, people were walking in lines on the bridge’s sidewalk. During the peak of the autumn leaves, it is best to expect even more people.
Kyoto Kanko Navi’s access guide also notes that the road from the stations to Togetsukyo Bridge gets very crowded, and asks visitors to stay on the sidewalk. Cars and buses also cross Togetsukyo Bridge, so be careful not to step into the roadway when taking photos.
As expected, there were a lot of people. You can take photos, but you need to be careful, because stopping too long to take pictures gets in the way of people passing by.
Also, every November Arashiyama holds the “Arashiyama Momiji Festival,” with an event on the river upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge that recreates the boat outings of the Heian period. On the festival day, the area around Togetsukyo Bridge gets even more crowded.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the autumn leaves at Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge peak?
According to Kyoto Kanko Navi, the leaves in Arashiyama usually peak from mid to late November (checked on October 28, 2026). Around November 10, when the photos in this article were taken, the colors were just starting and there was still a lot of green.
How long does it take to get from Kyoto Station to Togetsukyo Bridge?
It is about 11 minutes by rapid train on the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, and about an 8-minute walk from the station to Togetsukyo Bridge (not including transfer or waiting time).
Which stations are closest to Togetsukyo Bridge?
According to Kyoto Kanko Navi, it is about a 4-minute walk from Randen Arashiyama Station and about 8 minutes from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. From Hankyu Arashiyama Station, you walk from the station square through a park and over an arched bridge.
Summary
Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama is a classic Kyoto spot for autumn leaves, where you can take in the bridge, the river, and the mountains behind them all at once. According to Kyoto Kanko Navi, the leaves usually peak from mid to late November. Around November 10, 2022, when I took the photos, the colors were only just starting.
You can get there on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station, or on the Hankyu or Randen lines from Shijō-Kawaramachi, so it is easy to combine with other sights in Kyoto. For more on sightseeing in Kyoto, please also read “Complete Access Guide to Kiyomizudera” and “The History and Highlights of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto” (Japanese).
References (checked on October 28, 2026)
- How to Get to Saga-Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge) | Kyoto Kanko Navi (Japanese)
- Arashiyama Autumn Leaves Information | Kyoto Kanko Navi (Japanese)
- 3 Spectacular Sunrise Spots That Feel Truly Kyoto | Kyoto Kanko Navi (Japanese)
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