Togetsu-Kyō

Save
  • Address
    Saga Tenryū-ji, Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō-ku
  • Transport
    underground rail: 5min walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Station, Keifuku Arashiyama line

Let us know if these details are incorrect

Lonely Planet review

This bridge is the dominant landmark in Arashiyama and is just a few minutes on foot from either the Keifuku line or Hankyū line Arashiyama Stations. The original crossing, constructed in 1606, was about 100m upriver from the present bridge.

On 13 April jūsan-mairi, an important rite of passage for local children aged 13, takes place here.

Boys and girls (many in kimono), after paying respects at Hōrin-ji and receiving a blessing for wisdom, cross the bridge under strict parental order not to look back towards the temple until they've reached the northern side of the bridge. Not heeding this instruction is believed to bring bad luck for life! From July to mid-September, this is a good spot from which to watch ukai (cormorant fishing) in the evening. If you want to get close to the action, you can pay extra to join a passenger boat. The TIC can provide more details.

You can also rent boats from the boat rental stall just upstream from the bridge. It's a nice way to spend some time, and kids love it.