Bridge · Arashiyama

Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋

The symbol of Arashiyama, a 155 m wooden-railed bridge over the Katsura river with forested mountains behind, named by an emperor who thought the moon seemed to cross it.

About

A bridge has crossed the Katsura river (called the Oi river here) since the 9th century; the name Togetsukyo, "moon-crossing bridge", came from Emperor Kameyama, who in the 13th century remarked that the moon looked as if it was crossing it. The current bridge was built in 1934 in steel and concrete with wooden railings that preserve its historic look. Behind it rise the slopes of Arashiyama, pink with cherries in spring and red in autumn, and the scene is one of Kyoto's great views. Rowboats can be rented on the river upstream, and in summer cormorant fishing (ukai) is held at night from boats. In December the Hanatouro lantern illumination lights the bridge and mountains.

Highlights

• Bridge with the Arashiyama mountains behind
• Cherries in spring and maples in autumn
• Summer cormorant fishing at night
• Rowboat rentals upstream
• December Hanatouro illumination

Tips

• Best view is from the south bank near Nakanoshima Park, or from upstream.
• Children are told not to look back when crossing after the Jusan-mairi ceremony at Horin-ji, or they lose their wisdom.
• Dawn mist on the river is magical.
• Free.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Arashiyama Nakanoshima RiverbankBeach & Waterfront · 140 m away
• Ebisuya Arashiyama RickshawActivities & Experiences · 210 m away
• Arashiyama YoshimuraRestaurant · 210 m away
• Coin Lockers · Randen Arashiyama StationLuggage Storage · 240 m away
• Randen Arashiyama Station & Kimono ForestTransit Hub · 240 m away
• Arashiyama Station Information (Randen)Tourist Info · 250 m away
• Fukuda Art MuseumMuseum · 280 m away
• Arashiyama Main StreetShopping Street · 280 m away