Arashiyama isn't a mountain!! 3 little-known facts about Arashiyama that only Kyoto locals know

Reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Reported from Kyoto

With its spring cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, and the Sagano Romantic Train that winds down through the mountains along the Hozugawa River, Kyoto’s Arashiyama has become one of the most beloved destinations for travelers worldwide. But even though Taiwanese visitors are already very familiar with this place, there are still some lesser-known tidbits that only locals know. Here are three interesting facts shared by Arashiyama rickshaw drivers—see how many you already know?

▲ When you see Togetsukyo Bridge, you know you’ve arrived in Arashiyama. (Photo / Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

1. Arashiyama isn’t a mountain—it’s a place name
This is less of a piece of knowledge and more of a frequently asked question. Rickshaw drivers in Arashiyama say that the question they’re most often asked by foreign tourists is: “Which mountain is Arashiyama?” In fact, Arashiyama isn’t a mountain but a district name. Nowadays, the area is generally considered to be centered around Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River, including the surrounding areas on both banks of the river.

▲ The Nyoigatake Shrine, famous for bringing good romantic fortune, also boasts Japan’s No. 1 black torii gate. (Photo / Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

▲ The left image shows the main deity of Nyoigatake Shrine. Although many visitors pray to yB for love, it’s actually the god of scholarship. The right image shows the deity you should pray to for true romance. (Photo / Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

2. Praying for love at Nyoigatake Shrine—but many people pray to the wrong deity
Located within the Bamboo Grove Path, Nyoigatake Shrine is famous for granting romantic blessings. Many visitors enter the shrine and first pray to the main deity for good fortune in love. However, locals point out that the main deity here is actually the god of scholarship, and the shrine where you should truly pray for romance is on the left. So next time you visit Nyoigatake Shrine to wish for love, don’t pray to the wrong one again.

▲ The Bamboo Grove Path is also a filming location for the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha." (Photo / Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

3. What Kyoto locals say about the Bamboo Grove Path...
Locals say that when it comes to the Bamboo Grove Path, most Kyoto residents describe it as: “Once you step into the Bamboo Grove Path, it gets cool, and in summer there are even negative ions!” The origin of this saying is unclear, but next time you visit the Bamboo Grove Path yourself, give it a try and experience it.

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