Recommended sightseeing courses for couples and students when renting kimono in Arashiyama

When renting a kimono in Arashiyama, do you ever find yourself thinking, “I don’t have enough time!”? Especially in the Kyoto and Arashiyama area, there are so many things to see, eat, and buy!

And since you’re renting a kimono, you’ll also want to take lots of photos, which can eat up your time.

This time, we’ll introduce you to a recommended “Sightseeing Course in Arashiyama After Renting a Kimono” for those of you who may be facing this dilemma!

Conquer Arashiyama Sightseeing with Food Tasting After Kimono Rental

What would you like to do after renting a kimono in Arashiyama?

First, you’ll want to see the sights that are typical of Kyoto and Arashiyama.

Of course, you’ll also want to take photos in your kimono at spots that suit it.

And, of course, you’ll want to eat something delicious!

There are so many tourist spots to see in Arashiyama, places where your kimono rental attire will look great in photos, and delicious restaurants! But time is limited…

At times like this, we recommend food tasting!

Arashiyama has plenty of delicious food that you can take away.

By satisfying your hunger and taking photos, you can make the most of your time.

This time, we will introduce you to a sightseeing course where you can take photos and enjoy delicious food in Arashiyama after renting a kimono.

Depart on an Arashiyama Sightseeing Course in Rental Kimono

First, after transforming into a beautiful kimono at Rental Kimono Rikawafuku Kimono Arashiyama Shop…

You can arrive at the must-visit spot in Arashiyama, “Togetsukyo Bridge,” in about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.

The name “Togetsukyo Bridge” comes from Emperor Kameyama in the Heian period, who gazed at the moon moving across the sky from the bridge and marveled, “The moon crossing resembles a bridge.” That’s why it’s called “Togetsukyo Bridge.” The bridge, built during the Heian period, is now an important traffic route that cars also use, but its railing is made of wood to blend in with the scenery of Arashiyama.

To take photos in a kimono, the best position is to stand in front of Togetsukyo Bridge, with the wooden railing and stone pavement of the bridge in the foreground, against the backdrop of Arashiyama. Of course, there may be some competition for this position depending on the season, so do your best to capture beautiful photos!

After taking photos at “Togetsukyo Bridge,” take a short break.

How about enjoying delicious coffee at “Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama” just across the bridge? You’ll have a spectacular view of the Katsura River and Togetsukyo Bridge right in front of you. This stylish cafe serves authentic espresso and lattes in a chic white-themed space. However, this time, it’s a food-tasting sightseeing course. Yes, this is a takeaway coffee shop. You can either enjoy your coffee while gazing at the view and sitting on the benches along the shop’s outer wall or continue your journey with coffee in hand. Don’t forget to take a photo with the shop’s logo-marked cup (“%”)!

Once you’ve recharged with coffee, head to the next spot, “Randen Arashiyama Station.” It’s only about a 5-minute walk away, but…

On the way, you might want to stop by “Arashiyama Yoshuya Hon-dori Shop.” For food tasting, we recommend their freshly fried “Musubi Tempura.” The most popular is the “Yuba Cheese,” and they also offer seasonal limited-time menus. Be sure to check it out!

While enjoying the tempura, you might come across a shop selling “Arashiyama Croquettes.” If they have the “Gold Award Croquette” that won first place at the “National Croquette Contest,” you can’t miss it!

So, while you’re keeping an eye on whether the croquette breadcrumbs have stuck to your kimono…

You’ll arrive at “Miffy Sakura Kitchen Arashiyama Store.”

This bakery is a must-visit, especially for Miffy fans. It offers freshly baked bread that will make anyone peek inside. They also have plenty of Miffy goods, making it a great place to choose souvenirs. While it might be a little sad, don’t forget to take a photo of the Miffy-shaped bread before taking a delicious bite!

As you continue on, you’ll eventually reach “Randen Arashiyama Station: Hannari Hokkori Square,” located in front of Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But why is there a station here?

Well, this is not just any station! It’s a comfortable space with shops, foot baths, and even a park.

Inside this area is a place you must visit if you’ve rented a kimono in Arashiyama: “Kimono Forest.”

There are 600 acrylic poles, each about 2 meters high, covered with Kyoto Yuzen fabric. These poles are installed all around the station area, creating a landscape reminiscent of a forest of Kyoto Yuzen kimono. It’s the perfect spot to capture photos of yourself in your kimono!

“Randen Arashiyama Station” doesn’t have ticket gates, so anyone can enter and exit freely. Since it’s a retro tram station, taking photos with the train can also be a good idea. If you have time, be sure to visit again in the evening when the area is beautifully illuminated.

Oh, wait! We’re not done with our journey yet.

On the first floor of “Hannari Hokkori Square,” there’s the “ARINCO Kyoto Arashiyama Main Store,” where you can find “Arinco Sandwich,” a perfect treat for food enthusiasts. It’s a roll cake sandwich that will satisfy your cravings.

And just across from it is the “Mall-Blanche Arashiyama Store.” While “Mall-Blanche” is popular for Kyoto souvenirs, the Arashiyama store offers a unique takeaway treat called “Chacha Bo,” which consists of an éclair topped with matcha soft-serve ice cream. It has gained media attention and is highly recommended.

Now, after indulging in sweet treats that satisfy your stomach and heart, it’s time for a 5-minute walk to “Tenryu-ji Temple,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Tenryu-ji Temple” was founded in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji to honor the late Emperor Go-Daigo. Although it once had a vast temple area and magnificent buildings, it suffered from numerous fires, leading to multiple reconstructions. The current temple grounds were established in 1935, and it was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.

While there are many attractions at “Tenryu-ji Temple,” one place you must visit if you’ve rented a kimono is the temple’s garden. The garden offers picturesque views in every season, perfect for taking plenty of photos.

A Sightseeing Course for Kimono Rental in Arashiyama: Enjoy Food and Photography

After thoroughly exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Tenryu-ji Temple,” you’ll return to the entrance of the “Bamboo Grove” by retracing your steps, which takes about 6 minutes on foot.

Now, when you’re heading to the bamboo grove, you’ll find plenty of shops along the way that are perfect for your kimono rental, food-tasting, and sightseeing adventure…

First, at the entrance, there’s “Saga Tofu Sanchu,” where you can try a spicy curry bread when you’re feeling a bit peckish.

Then, there’s a traditional Japanese confectionery shop called “Koto Imo Honpo,” known for “Koto Imo” sweets made from Japanese sweet potatoes. While their “Koto Imo” and “Odamaki” are popular choices, when you’re in your kimono…

The generous amount of mitarashi sauce is quite tempting. Especially, since these dango dumplings are large, be careful not to stain your kimono when eating them.

If you want to enjoy a treat without worrying about stains, I recommend trying the “Arashiyama Le Mont Danish Taiyaki.” These taiyaki have a crispy yet chewy texture and come in various flavors. They also have an adorable shape, so make sure to capture them in photos.

Further down the path, you’ll find the “Kyoto Kudzu-an Sagi Kyoto Saga Arashiyama Store,” a shop specializing in soybean milk sweets. Their “Upside-down Soft Serve Ice Cream” is something you’ll definitely want to photograph while holding it upside down.

With a light soybean milk soft-serve ice cream in hand, let’s continue to the Bamboo Grove.

After exploring the gourmet spots, you’ll reach the highly popular “Bamboo Grove” in Arashiyama, a place where tourists from all over the world come to visit. However, this place is always crowded.

The “Bamboo Grove” extends for about 10 minutes on a straight path to the Okochi Sanso Villa. Along the way, you’ll find the “Nonomiya Shrine,” and on the north side from there, there’s a “Bamboo Grove Walking Path” that was established in 2015.

Since the “Bamboo Grove Walking Path” is a relatively new promenade, it’s less crowded. It’s a great option if you want to take your time and capture photos in your kimono. However, please note that the “Bamboo Grove Walking Path” is one-way (clockwise) and does not allow food tasting, so be sure to enjoy your delicious treats before reaching this area.

There are many excellent lunch and café options in the vicinity of Arashiyama, but this time, we specifically recommended a food-tasting route. Capturing yourself in a kimono against the backdrop of Arashiyama’s beautiful scenery with delicious food in hand is a unique experience that you can only enjoy in this picturesque location.

Couples’ Kimono Rental in Arashiyama with Narihana Kimono

If you plan to rent kimonos as a couple in Arashiyama, we recommend visiting Narihana Kimono Arashiyama Store. It’s conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the Hankyu Arashiyama Station, making it ideal for exploring Arashiyama.

We offer a Kyoto Kimono Couple Plan that allows couples to enjoy kimono rental easily. This plan includes all kimono dressing services for two people and even includes hairstyling for women, all for 7,000 yen (excluding tax).

We also have a Kyoto Kimono Hairstyling Student Discount Plan for students, which includes hairstyling and costs 3,500 yen.

If you plan to visit Arashiyama for kimono sightseeing, please consider visiting Rikawafuku Kimono Arashiyama Store!