Morning
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
The famous towering bamboo forest. Yes, it will be crowded by mid-morning — that's the reality of visiting one of Japan's most photographed spots. It's still beautiful and worth seeing! The bamboo towers overhead and the light filtering through is impressive even with crowds.
Walk through: The grove itself is a short walk (10-15 min), but the surrounding area has more to explore.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Hike up a hill to hang out with wild Japanese macaques. You can feed them from inside a hut (they roam free, you're "caged")!
The hike: ~20 minute uphill walk. Worth it for the monkeys AND the view of Kyoto.
Tip: Don't make eye contact or show teeth — monkeys see it as aggression!
River Area + Kakigori
The Arashiyama area along the river is pleasant for strolling. Find a cafe, get some kakigori (shaved ice), rest before heading back to central Kyoto.
Midday
Nintendo Museum
A museum dedicated to Nintendo's history — from playing cards to Game Boy to Switch and beyond. Interactive exhibits let you play with Nintendo's inventions through the decades. Located in Ogura (southern Kyoto), about 30 minutes from central Kyoto by train.
Highlights:
- Hands-on exhibits with classic and modern Nintendo games
- History of Nintendo from 1889 to today
- Exclusive merchandise at the museum shop
Getting there: Take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Ogura Station (~15 min), then walk ~5 min.
Afternoon
Kyoto International Manga Museum
A whole museum dedicated to manga! Great for the teens. The building is a converted elementary school with walls of manga you can actually read.
Highlights:
- 300,000+ manga volumes
- Read manga on the lawn or in reading rooms
- Exhibits on manga history and culture
- Portrait artists who'll draw you manga-style
Evening
Riverside Walk + Rest Night
As it cools down, take a relaxed walk along the Kamogawa River. Locals sit on the banks to enjoy the evening breeze.
Tomorrow: Gion Matsuri parade morning, then on to Osaka! Consider doing laundry tonight and packing up.
Getting to Arashiyama
From central Kyoto, several options:
- JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama (~15 min)
- Hankyu Line to Arashiyama Station
- Keifuku Randen tram line (scenic, old-school)
Reservations
Nintendo Museum — Lottery Tickets (Book in April!)
Tickets are sold via a lottery system, not standard reservations. For July visits, enter the lottery April 1-30, 2026 on the Nintendo Museum ticketing site. Results announced ~May 1. If you don't win, leftover tickets go on first-come sale mid-May.
Requirements: Nintendo Account (free), credit card for payment, ID checked at entry. Tickets are date+time specific.
Action: Create Nintendo Accounts now, enter lottery April 1!
Manga Museum: No reservation needed — just show up!
Why This Day Works
- Arashiyama is best early morning before peak heat
- Monkey park has tree cover for shade
- Nintendo Museum is a unique midday stop between outdoor and indoor activities
- Manga Museum is the perfect AC escape for afternoon heat
- Teens get monkeys, Nintendo history, AND 300,000 manga volumes in one day
- Evening is light — good pace before tomorrow’s big festival day
Family Notes
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