6-Hour Nature Walk in Arashiyama to Mizuo with Yuzu Dining

• The guide will meet you at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, North exit. From there, you will proceed to Gohodo Benzaiten, a hidden temple in the woods behind the bus stop of the same name.

• The next stop is Adashino-Mayumura, a shop selling souvenir craft items made from cocoons.

• As you journey up the hill, you will come across an old house with a thatched roof called the Saga Toriimoto Townscape Archive Hall. This house preserves the historical landscape of the surrounding area through various projects. You are welcome to visit, as it is open to the public, allowing you to casually explore the interior of this ancient house, which was constructed in the 1890s.

• To reach Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, follow the path up the hill. The temple boasts a vast collection of stone statues, each with a unique facial expression. It is said that this one spot houses approximately 1,200 of these statues.

• After passing through a tunnel, you will discover a beautiful village called Kiyotaki. Before continuing on the trail, take a walk around the village.
• From Kiyotaki, head southwest, following the Kiyotaki River and Katsura River. You will reach the point of Ochiai, where the Kiyotaki River meets the Katsura River. This part of the trail lies between the Nishiyama 1 and Nishiyama 5 points of the Kyoto Circuit Trail.

• You will come out to a point called Ochiai, which is about a 30-minute walk along the Kiyotaki River. Since this part of the river is a natural habitat for a rare species called the Giant Salamander, look into the water along the way to try to spot one.

• Upon arriving at the village, you will drop off your belongings at a facility where you will return later for dining and bathing.
• After a brief tour of the village, you will return for the final part of the tour. During this time, the guide will explain the village, including its background, agriculture, and the local production of yuzu citrus in English. The Village of Mizuo is renowned for its production of yuzu citrus and is considered the town of yuzu.

• Enjoy an all-day dining experience at a village restaurant serving a local specialty: yuzu citrus chicken hotpot. The restaurant is located in a classic kominka house, an ancient Japanese house style not commonly seen in the city. To make a reservation, please note that a minimum group of 4 is required.

If you are making a reservation for a group of 2 or 3 people, an additional fee of 12,000 yen will be charged for full guide service inside the restaurant. The guide will assist you by translating everything while you interact with the people in the restaurant.

A car will be requested to take you back to JR Hozukyo Station from the restaurant.