Togetsu Bridge and Riverside Area

Boating, hiking, food, temples, and wedding photos spot

Larry Knipfing Apr 19, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>It was a windy day, and the boatmen were struggling to pole their boats upriver</p>

<p>You can rent your own rowboat (up to 3 people per boat) for 1,400 yen per hour</p>

<p>A view of the cherry trees, the river, and Togetsu Bridge from my seat in the cafe - perfect!</p>

<p>The little riverside cafe where I spent a delightful hour watching the sights</p>

<p>From here, you can sit and relax, or walk along the river, or hike up into the hills</p>

<p>I enjoyed a hot cup of amazake - basically a thick, hot, sweet, spiked rice drink that is very tasty</p>

<p>That's famous Togetsu Bridge in the background</p>

<p>A handsome Chinese couple posing for wedding photos right in front of my cafe</p>

<p>Later, the happy couple moved to Togetsu Bridge</p>

<p>View from Togetsu Bridge of cherry trees dotting the hillside along the Katsura River on a wet cold day that was enjoyable nonetheless!</p>

<p>Two young ladies in kimono near the river</p>

The Arashiyama district of Kyoto is one of its most famous and one of its loveliest. Togetsu Bridge is where most people head first. From the bridge, you have many options: Visiting temples in the area, hiking along the river or up into the hills, taking a boat ride, or sitting and relaxing between doing all of the above. After crossing over to the opposite side, I eventually opted for the latter (it was early April), and spent a pleasant hour or so people watching and enjoying a hot drink of amazake while sitting at a little riverside cafe amongst a bunch of cherry trees.

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...