Togetsukyo Bridge
渡月橋
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Where the Moon Crosses the Water — Arashiyama's Iconic Bridge
Togetsukyo Bridge is a spot famed for its autumn colors. We've gathered 6 videos so you can explore it across the seasons on screen.
Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Katsura River in Arashiyama, western Kyoto, with the wooded slopes of Mt. Arashiyama rising behind it. A view celebrated for centuries, it is framed by cherry blossoms in spring and blazing maple leaves in autumn — one of Kyoto's most photographed scenes.
Source: Wikipedia「ウィキペディア」 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Season
- AprCherry blossoms line the riverbank
- NovKyoto's most famous autumn leaves
- DecArashiyama's winter light festival
Cherry blossoms usually peak in late March to early April; autumn leaves peak from mid-November to early December. Both draw large crowds, so an early morning visit is calmer.
History & Culture
The Bridge Where the Moon Crosses
According to legend, 13th-century Emperor Kameyama watched the full moon glide across the sky here and remarked that it looked as though the moon itself were crossing the bridge — giving Togetsukyo ('Moon-Crossing Bridge') its name.
A Bridge Shaped by the River
The Katsura River has flooded many times over the centuries, and the bridge has been rebuilt again and again — most recently in 1934 in reinforced concrete, designed to echo the wooden bridges of earlier eras. A major 2013 typhoon once again submerged the riverside walkways, a reminder of the river's power.
Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
- Hankyu Arashiyama Line — Arashiyama Station, about 4 min walk
- Randen (Keifuku) Arashiyama Line — Arashiyama Station, about 5 min walk
- JR Sagano Line — Saga-Arashiyama Station, about 13 min walk
- Nearby parking is limited; expect heavy congestion during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons
Always open (outdoor public bridge)
Free
Hours and fees are a guide and may change — please check official information before your visit.
