Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama (嵐山 Storm Mountain^?) is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district. Arashiyama is a nationally-designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.^[1]

The Togetsukyō is a bridge across the river. The river changes names on either side of this bridge. West of the bridge it is the Hozu River and east of the bridge it is the Katsura River.

• The Iwatayama Monkey Park on the slopes of Mount Arashiyama. Over 170 monkeys live at the park. While the monkeys are wild, they have become accustomed to humans. The park is located on a small mountain not far from the Saga-Arashiyama rail station. Visitors can approach and photograph the monkeys. At the summit is a fenced enclosure, from within which visitors can feed the monkeys.
• The romantic "Moon Crossing Bridge" (渡月橋,Togetsukyō), notable for its views of cherry blossoms and autumn colors on the slopes of Mt Arashiyama.
• The tombstone of the Heike courtesan Kogo of Sagano.
• Tenryū-ji, the main temple of one the 15 branches of the Rinzai school, one of the two main sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan.
• The hamlet of Kiyotaki, a small scenic village at the base of Mt Atago, the home to a notable Shinto shrine.
• Matsuo Shrine, half a mile south of the area, which is home to a blessed spring. It is also one of the oldest shrines in the Kyoto area, founded in 700. The alleged restorative properties of the spring bring many local sake and miso companies to the shrine for prayers that their product will be blessed.
• Kameyama koen has a stone commemorating Zhou Enlai's visit to Arashiyama. He was moved by the cherry blossoms and mountain greenery. The four poems Zhou Enlai wrote about his visit are engraved on a stone monument: "Arashiyama in the Rain."
• Ōkōchi Sansō, the Japanese-style home and gardens of the film actor Denjirō Ōkōchi.