GOD ROAD JAPAN

A half-day walk in Sagano and Arashiyama

About 850 m between the three mapped locations, plus walking within the sites. Distances are measured between map points, not between gates.

This route starts at Tenryu-ji, continues to Jojakko-ji and finishes at Nison-in. Tenryu-ji's garden opens at 8:30 and the other two open at 9:00.

1
Tenryu-jiBuddhist temple
about 9 minutes on foot
2
Jojakko-jiBuddhist temple
about 5 minutes on foot
3
Nison-inBuddhist temple

This shows the order of the walk. It is a diagram, not a map, and not to scale. Walking times are map-route estimates between the listed locations.

How long to allow

Tenryu-ji60–90 minour estimate
Walk via the bamboo grove laneabout 9 minmap-route estimate
Jojakko-ji40–60 minour estimate
Walk via the lane below Mount Oguraabout 5 minmap-route estimate
Nison-in30–50 minour estimate

Walking times here are map-route estimates between the listed locations. Actual time varies with crowds, slopes, traffic signals and which entrance you use.

Distances are measured between the map's representative point for each site, not between gates. We have not confirmed which exit you leave from, or whether the shortest way passes through a ticketed area.

Two ways to start

Early start — from 8:30

Who it suits. Travellers who prefer an 8:30 start at Tenryu-ji's garden.

Worth knowing. Jojakko-ji and Nison-in do not open until 9:00. Starting at 8:30 means Tenryu-ji is open when you arrive and the other two are not yet.

Typical finishabout 11:30
If you take your timeabout 12:05

Standard start — from 10:00

Who it suits. Travellers arriving from elsewhere in the city. All three stops are open by the time you reach them.

Worth knowing. Nison-in closes at 16:30 and Jojakko-ji stops admitting visitors at 16:30. Starting at 10:00 leaves a wide margin against both.

Typical finishabout 13:00
If you take your timeabout 13:35

Underfoot

These estimates cover travel between the mapped locations, not walking within the temple grounds. Accessibility within the sites has not been assessed for this guide.

Sources

Tenryu-ji hours and admissionTenryu-ji — visiting hours and fees
Jojakko-ji hours and admissionJojakko-ji — official site
Nison-in hours and admissionNison-in — visiting information

Information checked: September 4, 2026.