Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
If you walk from Arashiyama toward the Oi River—which connects to the Hozu River upstream of the Togetsukyo Bridge—the bustling atmosphere of the tourist area gives way to a serene landscape.
This area holds a rich history; in the Heian period, nobles would float boats on the river to compose *waka* poetry and admire the scenery—a tradition that lives on today, as sightseeing *yakatabune* (roofed pleasure boats) can still be seen here.
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The Mitarashi Festival, commonly known as the “Ashitsuke Shinji” (Ritual of Dipping Feet), involves immersing one’s legs up to the knees in the spring water of the shrine’s Mitarashi Pond while offering a lantern and praying for good health and freedom from illness.
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Seiryo-ji—also known as Saga Shakado—stands on the former site of the mountain villa of Minamoto no Toru, who is said to be the model for Hikaru Genji, the protagonist of *The Tale of Genji*.
The temple’s principal image, a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, is designated as a ational Treasure.
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This was the Hataeda Detached Palace, constructed by Emperor Go-Mizunoo and also known as the Hataeda Kogosho.
The garden, which incorporates Mount Hiei—visible from the front of the guest hall—as “borrowed scenery,” offers a unique charm in every season: *satsuki* azaleas in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter.
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Ajirogi-no-Michi is a charming, stone-paved promenade situated between Byodo-in Temple and the Uji River, offering scenic views that change with the seasons.
Byodo-in Temple itself boasts a thousand-year history and is a World Heritage Site; it houses numerous National Treasures and cultural assets, most notably the Phoenix Hall (Ho-o-do).
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