Rent a Bike for ¥100 ($1) per day?!? The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Day in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the few places in Japan that escaped destruction during World War II because of their exceptional historical significance. That's why myriads of temples, shrines, and other historical monuments remain perfectly preserved to this day for us to enjoy. But did you know that Kyoto is also known for its natural scenic beauty?

Arashi-yama, a nature-abundant district located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, has grown to become a popular tourist destination throughout the years. I come here occasionally, but this past summer, I was able to spend a full day in Arashiyama to experience the full extent of its beauty. 

We first wanted to rent a bike to explore the city. The place we found was amazing, called Green Flag Rental Bike, where you *literally* get to rent a bike for $1/ day! This is THE cheapest rental bike store you will find in Arashi-yama, trust me. The website is in Japanese, but I have translated their address in English: 

2 Saganonomiyachō, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan 

Just make sure to bring ID to the place (i.e. passport), because they check it prior to renting out their bikes. 

Here is the map of the Green Flag Rental Bike: 

With our newly-rented bikes, we first biked to the bamboo grove -- this was an amazing idea, as it was probably one of the hottest days to be in Kyoto and we were drenched in sweat. The shaded bamboo grove provided us a temporary shelter away from the sun, and the breeze, although warm, felt like a godsend to our skin. 

We then biked to Gio-ji (祇王寺), a temple many tourists stream right past, but actually has one of the finest sights in all of Arashiyama. Its moss-covered Japanese garden alone makes it a valuable experience.  Just look at how beautiful their garden is! 

We then biked to Daikaku-ji (大覚寺), another photogenic temple in this area. This temple is commonly referred to as a "flower temple", because ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) originated in this place. What's more impressive though, is this outdoor corridor that surrounds their naka-niwa (courtyard) --  itis simply beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

This is how the temple looks from the outside↓

We took a break from the heat in this (↑) air-conditioned room, where they sell cold tea and snacks. Feeling better and recharged, we left the temple to visit our last destination of the day. 

Iwatayama Monkey Park, a park located on top of Mt. Arashiyama, was a little hard to get to but well worth the trip. Entry fee was ¥550 for adults (16 years and older), and ¥250 for children. The hike itself took around 20 minutes, but you have to go up 120 steps, followed by a gentle upward slope that takes you to the peak of the mountain. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during the summer season! 

There are around 120 wild Japanese monkeys on this mountain, and they're all so adorable! You can also feed them apples (¥100/bag) that you can purchase at the resting area at the peak of the mountain. This is me feeding them apples: 

Aren't they adorable?! 

Also at this park, you get a magnificent view of Kyoto city. Weather permitting, you might be able to see Kyoto's most famous landmark, the Kyoto Tower. 

... And this completes my full-day experience in this beautiful city of Arashiyama. Overall, my day here was well-spent, and I will definitely go back in a heartbeat.