Saga Arashiyama Station luggage storage

About the station 

If you’re taking a trip to Kyoto and Osaka, you shouldn't overlook the surrounding towns. Depending on how much time you have, you can utilize Japan’s extensive train network to reach some of the more remote cities and excellent side trips. One of Kyoto’s best day trip destinations is the Arashiyama district, which is situated just north in the densely forested hills. 

The town itself is delightful, with certain streets designated preservation areas that feature centuries-old traditional Japanese architecture. There’s also the Tenryu-ji Temple and its revered gardens. The town is lined with traditional tea houses along with quaint little cafes and traditional Japanese restaurants. While it may feel like a time capsule, there are still plenty of modern amenities, especially when it comes to transportation. 

It’s a scenic town along the Hozu River with a full mountain range in view. The town’s most iconic landmark is the Togetsukyo Bridge, which leads up to the hills. The dense bamboo forests of Arashiyama are famous around Japan, and they bring in thousands of tourists every year. While the bamboo groves are popular, the sprawling landscapes offer a tranquil escape for travelers, as the crowds never reach overwhelming numbers. 

Saga-Arashiyama Station is the primary transportation hub for the town, with direct connections to Kyoto and Osaka. It’s operated by the JR Network, which means travelers can use the JR Pass to reach Arashiyama and its beautiful natural surroundings. It’s not the biggest train station, but it features modern amenities and charming traditional Japanese architecture that only adds to the enchanting atmosphere of the town. 

Does Saga-Arashiyama Station have storage lockers? 

Arashiyama Station is a relatively small transportation facility, so the coin lockers here are limited. You'll need 100 Yen coins to access the loggers, but there's a money changer at the station. Locker capacity is pretty limited, so you'll only be able to store smaller items. If you have larger bags and full luggage, you'll want to look into a luggage storage service like Bounce.   

Are there coin lockers at Kyoto Station? 

Like most Japanese train stations, you'll be able to find lockers throughout Kyoto Station. These are coin-operated and will cost less than $5 per day. You will need 100 Yen coins, but there's a money changer at the information desk and ticket gate in the main hall. There's also a full baggage room on the B1 Level of the train station. This is not a bad option if you're taking a day trip out to Arashiyama, but you won't have access to your belongings, and space in each locker is limited to smaller items and bags. Heavy luggage should be stored with a proper luggage service.

How can I store luggage in Arashiyama? 

Being a smaller town, options are limited in Arashiyama. Most of the attractions and landmarks are either historic temples or outdoor destinations, so you won't be able to rely on lockers or a cloakroom like you would in bigger cities. If you're staying in town, you can probably drop the bags off at the concierge desk of your hotel, but this can be inconvenient as well. If you want a foolproof plan, looking into Bounce luggage storage is your best bet. You'll be able to arrange luggage storage ahead of time, so there is no guessing once you get into Arashiyama Station. 

Are there trams from Arashiyama Station? 

The train station is also a hub for the local tram service, which serves commuters heading to Kyoto. One of the more delightful offerings of the train station is its Sightseeing Tram, also called the Sagano Romantic Train, which is operated by a third-party company. The company organizes amusing and whimsical tram rides on vintage 19th-century carriages through the most scenic parts of Arashiyama. This is particularly appealing during cherry blossom season as well as autumn when the leaves change. It’s also convenient as it runs directly out of Saga-Arashiyama Station and costs less than $5 per passenger. 

Things to do near Saga-Arashiyama Station

Tenryuji Temple

This magnificent Zen temple is easily the town’s most important landmark and is widely revered for its school teaching the ways of the Rinzai Zen sect, one of the more niche corners of Japanese Buddhism. It was built in the 14th century by Ashikaga Takauji (the reigning shogun at the time) and dedicated to the recently deceased emperor Go-Daigo. While shogun come and go (as you’ll learn when studying Japanese history), the temples and shrines they build tend to stick around, and Tenryuji has gone on to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can visit the temple, which is situated right in the middle of Arashiyama, and its gardens. There are multiple buildings in the complex, including the main hall (Hojo), drawing hall (Shoin), and kitchens (Kuri). There's a small tower that was added on during the Meiji Period that allows you to see the temple from other parts of the city. The garden is impeccably well preserved, with almost all of the original design and layout still intact. You'll find a central pond surrounded by pine trees and large boulders. It’s not a massive place, but it’s well worth taking a stroll through the gardens. 

Togetsukyo Bridge

Arashiyama’s iconic "Moon Crossing Bridge" was built back in the 19th century during the Heian Period. It’s since been rebuilt, most recently in the 1930s, making it safe to use. The architecture remains faithful to the initial structure, so it's attractive and historic. Walking across, the views are astoundingly beautiful, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. You’ll get to see the full scope of the surrounding mountains along with the full breadth of the river.  

Arashiyama’s bamboo groves

Once you’ve crossed the bridge from the town, you’ll get to hike around the various trails up to the surrounding hills. The best route will lead you up to the thick groves of bamboo, so follow the easy-to-comprehend signs. Once you’re there, you can wander around admiring these fascinating plants, if it’s a windy day, you’ll get to appreciate the surreal wave effect when the bamboo stalks start to sway back and forth. Just remember to be respectful of the plants and not try to snap off segments as a souvenir. This will get you in trouble with the locals!

Views and monkeys at Iwatayama

If you’re hiking around, you might as well head up to the highest point at Iwatayama. This point overlooks the whole town. There’s also a park on-site where you’ll find dozens of monkeys. They’re friendly and generally keep to themselves, but you’ll want to keep the picnic to a different part of the city. The park only costs $3 to enter and includes the view. 

Airport travel from Saga-Arashiyama Station

In all likelihood, you’ll be flying into Kansai International Airport to Saga-Arashiyama Station and then staying in Kyoto before taking the train out to Arashiyama for the day. It’s definitely possible to travel directly from the airport to the town. First, you’ll take the Haruka Limited Express from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station. This takes just shy of 90 minutes to get to central Kyoto. From there, you’ll transfer to the JR Sagano Line on a train heading towards Sonobe. Saga-Arashiyama Station is just a few stops away and the ride only takes 20 minutes. Altogether, the trip will cost $18, and you can use the JR Pass if you’ve invested in one.

While there are taxis you can hail, the convenience isn’t worth the additional cost ($80 minimum) and you won’t save time due to traffic in Kyoto.  

Getting around the city from Saga-Arashiyama Station

How to get to Saga-Arashiyama Station from Kyoto Station 

Arashiyama is highly accessible from Kyoto, and you’ll arrive right at Saga-Arashiyama Station in as little as 15 minutes by taking the JR Sagano Line (sometimes referred to as the JR Sanin Line). It costs less than $3 for the short trip from Kyoto Station. 

How to get to Tenryuji Temple from Saga Arashiyama Station 

Tenryuji Temple is very walkable from Saga-Arashiyama Station at about 10-15 minutes. It’s right in the city center, and on the way to the bridge, simply follow signs for the temple.

Luggage storage near Saga-Arashiyama Station

If you’re taking a day trip from Kyoto to this superb town, you’ll want to be able to get around while exploring the hills and natural beauty surrounding Arashiyama. Because your storage options will be limited at the train station and attractions, looking into a dedicated luggage storage service is the best way to help your trip run smoothly. Luckily, Bounce has locations serving the town, with the best ones near Sara-Arashiyama Station, along with highly useful features that set Bounce apart from the rest. Heading back to Kyoto? Bounce has luggage storage locations all over Japan, with cities like Kyoto and Tokyo well-served with the top storage spots.