Escape the crowds and (if you’re lucky) mingle with the monkeys at Arashiyama’s lovely hilltop park, Kameyama-koen Park.
Japanese macaque in Arashiyama
Few foreign tourists every make it to Arashiyama’s Kameyama-koen Park, which is a shame, since it’s one of the nicest parts of the area and it is a brilliant refuge from the crowds that plague the rest of Arashiyama during busy seasons. You can reach it by two ways from the main street of Arashiyama (the one that runs in front of Keifuku Arashiyama Station and Tenryu-ji Temple).
Either walk up the river on the northern bank, past the ryokan and restaurants, and then climb one of the flights of stone steps that lead up into the park. Or, after walking through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, take a left at the T-junction at the top of the hill and you’ll soon find yourself in the park. Make your way uphill and to the west to get some fine views down to the Hozu-gawa River and across Kyoto. Cherry blossoms bloom here in late March and early April and troops of wild monkeys occasionally patrol the park.
English address: Kamenoo-cho, Saga, Ukyo-ku
Japanese address: 右京区嵯峨亀ノ尾町
Opening hours: 24hrs
Admission: Free
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
9 min walk from Arashiyama Station, Keifuku dentetsu, Arashiyama line
15 min walk from Saga Arashiyama Station, JR Sagano line
11 min walk from Arashiyama Station, Henkyu railway
Telephone: 701-0101
Website: None

Where Is This Place Located?
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Near To Here:
Kameyama-koen Park is located in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
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- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
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- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help