Overview
South of the Katsura River, Hankyu Arashiyama Station serves visitors arriving from central Kyoto or Osaka on the Hankyu network. In Kyoto-Arashiyama, it is close to south-bank hotels and the approach to Togetsu-kyo Bridge.
The location favors plans on this side of the river. Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove are across the bridge, while JR and Randen passengers arrive at separate stations on the opposite side of the district.
Lines and connections
Hankyu Arashiyama is HK98, the western endpoint of the Hankyu Arashiyama Line. Regular trains run toward Katsura via Matsuo-taisha and Kami-katsura. At Katsura, change to the Hankyu Kyoto Line for Kyoto-Kawaramachi, Karasuma, or Osaka-Umeda.
From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma subway line to Shijo, change to the connected Hankyu Karasuma Station, then change again at Katsura. This involves more changes than the direct JR train to Saga-Arashiyama Station, but it leaves you on the south bank beside the hotel.
Station area
The station has one main ticket gate, coin lockers, a waiting room, and rental bicycles. A slope and wheelchair-accessible toilet are also available. Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho is about one minute away on foot, so guests arriving with luggage have very little street distance to cover.
What's nearby
Togetsu-kyo Bridge is the first major landmark on the walk north. The monkey park entrance is on the same side of the river, while Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove are across the bridge in the busier sightseeing core.
The station is also a starting point for the quieter south-bank side of Arashiyama. Most visitors, however, will cross the river during a wider walk through the district.
Good to know
The stations aren't interchangeable. Hankyu Arashiyama is separate from Randen Arashiyama and Saga-Arashiyama Station, the JR stop east of the main sightseeing area.
There is no direct train from Kyoto Station. JR may be simpler if minimizing rail changes matters most. If your hotel is beside Hankyu Arashiyama, the Hankyu route avoids a long final walk.
