Sagano temples at a glance
North and west of the bamboo path, the hills of Sagano hold a string of small temples. They are quieter than the central sights, each has its own character, and each charges its own entry fee. This page covers Jōjakkō-ji, Giō-ji, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji and Seiryō-ji, plus the old street of Saga-Toriimoto that links some of them.
If you only have a few hours for Arashiyama, Kyoto day tours cover the bamboo path and Tenryū-ji, and this page is for a longer stay. Jōjakkō-ji is a walk of 15 to 30 minutes from the stations, Ōtagi lies further uphill, and opening hours differ, so plan the order of your stops.
The temples compared
Prices for adults, as of 2026. Hours are the opening hours, with the last entry earlier.
| Temple | Adult entry | Hours | Closed days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jōjakkō-ji | JPY 400–600, check before you go | 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30 | None regular |
| Giō-ji | JPY 500 | Entry 09:00–16:30, stay until 16:50 | Check around 1 January |
| Adashino Nenbutsu-ji | JPY 500 | From 09:00, last entry 16:30; 15:30 in January, February and December | Storm warning, snow or ice |
| Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji | JPY 1,000 | 09:00–16:00 | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Seiryō-ji | JPY 500 | 09:00–16:00 | None regular |
For most visitors with one afternoon, Jōjakkō-ji is the simplest start: no regular closed days, no reservation and hours until 17:00. Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji needs a day that is not a Wednesday or Saturday.
Our pick: the hidden temples of Sagano
This tour visits two of the temples on this page with the entries paid.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Arashiyama tours and day trips
Guided walks, rickshaw rides and Kyoto day trips that include Arashiyama, with live prices and availability.
Jōjakkō-ji
Jōjakkō-ji is known for its autumn leaves. The colour starts around the second week of November, peaks in mid to late November and lasts until the first week of December. It is open 09:00–17:00 with last entry at 16:30, has no regular closed days and needs no reservation.
- Entry: listed between JPY 400 and JPY 600. Check before you go.
- Photos: no monopods or tripods, and the ticket desk does not store them.
- Access: stairs limit the areas a wheelchair can reach.
- Getting there: about 15 minutes on foot from JR Saga-Arashiyama, 20 minutes from Randen and 30 minutes from Hankyu. There are 5 car spaces, and no access for large buses.
Giō-ji and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Giō-ji charges JPY 500 for adults and JPY 100 for elementary, junior high and senior high school students. Entry is 09:00–16:30 and you can stay until 16:50. A combined ticket with the halls of Daikaku-ji costs JPY 1,000 for adults, but it does not cover the Ōsawa pond area. Tripods and monopods are not allowed, and you may not photograph the statues in the thatched house. There is no visitor toilet and only 3 car spaces. It may be closed on 1 January, so check before you go in the New Year period.
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji charges JPY 500 for adults and JPY 400 for middle and high school students, and elementary school children and younger enter free with an adult. Groups of 30 or more pay JPY 400 and JPY 300 in one cash payment. Stone figures and towers in the Sai-no-Kawara area remember the dead. At the back there is a separate bamboo path with stairs, which is not the free main bamboo path.
Ōtagi, Seiryō-ji and Saga-Toriimoto
Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji
JPY 1,000, 09:00–16:00, closed Wednesday and Saturday. Children aged 10 and under are free, and the exact cut-off at age 10 is worth checking at the gate. Groups of 10 or more get 20 percent off. Bus 94 toward Kiyotaki stops at Otagi-dera-mae. A taxi from Saga-Arashiyama takes about 5 minutes and costs about JPY 1,500. On foot uphill it is about an hour.
Seiryō-ji
Since 1 April 2025: JPY 500 for adults, JPY 400 for middle and high school students and JPY 300 for elementary school children. The main hall with the Reihōkan costs JPY 900, 700 and 500. Open 09:00–16:00 with no regular closed days apart from ceremonies, and the grounds are free. The Reihōkan opens specially in April and May and in October and November. Parking is JPY 800 per day for cars and JPY 2,000 for 2 hours for buses.
Saga-Toriimoto
A preserved historic street between Ōtagi and central Arashiyama, with traditional machiya houses, some now shops and restaurants. Many are private homes and not open to visitors. There is no entry fee for the street.
A downhill route through Sagano
Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji suggests a route on foot that starts uphill and runs down. Visit Ōtagi first, walk downhill through Saga-Toriimoto, join the bamboo path and finish at the bridge. Opening hours do not all match along the route, so check each stop before you set out.
Link it with Ōkōchi Sansō at the end of the bamboo path, and keep time for Tenryū-ji. The gardens and temples that close at 16:00 set the pace for the afternoon, so go to them first.
Sagano temples: frequently asked questions
How much does Jōjakkō-ji cost?
Entry is listed between JPY 400 and JPY 600. Check the amount at the gate before you go in.
Which temple is closed on Wednesday and Saturday?
Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji. It is open 09:00–16:00 on the other days and costs JPY 1,000.
Can I use a tripod?
Not at Jōjakkō-ji or Giō-ji, where monopods and tripods are not allowed. At Giō-ji you also may not photograph the statues in the thatched house.
How do I get to Ōtagi Nenbutsu-ji?
Take bus 94 toward Kiyotaki to Otagi-dera-mae, or a taxi from Saga-Arashiyama, about 5 minutes and about JPY 1,500. Walking uphill takes about an hour.
When is the autumn colour at Jōjakkō-ji?
Colour starts around the second week of November, peaks in mid to late November and lasts until the first week of December.