Arashiyama lies on the western edge of Kyoto where the Hozu River emerges from a steep wooded gorge to become the Katsura River. The district is essentially a single small town clustered around the Togetsukyō Bridge, with the famous Sagano bamboo grove climbing the hillside, the major Zen temple Tenryū-ji a short walk inland, and a string of smaller temples (Jōjakkō-ji, Gioji, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji) scattered up the slopes to the north.
A relaxed full day in Arashiyama would start at Tenryū-ji and the bamboo grove, walk north through the temples toward Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, return to the bridge for lunch, and finish with a boat ride down the Hozu or a ride on the Sagano scenic railway. The riverside cafés are the best place in Kyoto for a long lunch with a view; sit on the open terrace at one of the Togetsukyō restaurants and watch the cormorant fishermen.