Rakushisha
Arashiyama, Kyoto
1 Dec to 29 Feb
- Daily
- 10:00 to 16:00
Rest of the year
- Daily
- 10:00 to 17:00
Closed from 31 December to 3 January.
Source: ja.kyoto.travel, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Rakushisha is the thatched hut of Mukai Kyorai (1651 to 1704), the disciple Matsuo Basho trusted most. Basho stayed here three times, and in early summer 1691 he used it as his base for touring Saga and Arashiyama and wrote his Saga Diary here.
Insider tip
It's a few minutes' walk from Jojakko-ji, so pair the two. It's closed from 31 December to 3 January.
What's on near Rakushisha
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Rakushisha, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Saga Dainenbutsu Kyogen Autumn Performance
嵯峨大念佛狂言 秋季定期公演
Time 13:30 to 16:30 (former members' show from 11:30) Station Saga-Shakado-mae bus stop (City Bus 28, 91), 2 min walk
Masked players act out plays without a word on Seiryo-ji's kyogen stage, one of Kyoto's three great nembutsu kyogen and an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This autumn it's Hashi Benkei, Shibari Bozu and Tsuchigumo from 13:30, after a show of Momijigari by former members at 11:30, and it's free and goes ahead in rain.
Mti, CC BY-SA 3.0 Arashiyama Tsukitouro Bamboo Light-up
嵐山月灯路
Time 18:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:40) Station Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 10 min walk
The bamboo grove path is lit every evening, with a 30-metre bamboo corridor hung with 1,500 woven bamboo balls and mist drifting through the grove. In 2026 it was ¥1,500 cash at the ticket booth in the grove or ¥2,000 online, and free for 12 and under.
dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 Arashiyama Tsukitouro Bamboo Light-up
嵐山月灯路 Arashiyama Bamboo Light-up
Time 18:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:40) Station Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 10 min walk
Bamboo lanterns, some made by local residents in workshops, line the Bamboo Grove path and about 1 km of lit walkways. At the gate it's ¥1,500 in cash, online tickets with guaranteed entry cost ¥2,000, and children 12 and under go free.
dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 Saigu Procession
斎宮行列
Time Procession from 12:00 Station Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 10 min walk
A Heian-style procession re-creates an imperial princess setting out to serve at Ise Shrine, walking from Nonomiya Shrine to Togetsukyo Bridge from noon after a rite at the shrine. A purification rite at the river's north boat landing is planned for about 14:00.
Seven010, CC BY-SA 3.0 Saga Otaimatsu Fire Festival at Seiryo-ji
涅槃会とお松明式（清凉寺）
Time Kyogen from 15:30, torches about 20:00 Station Saga-Shakado-mae bus stop (City Bus 28), 2 min walk
Three giant torches are lit in front of the main hall around 20:00 to recall the Buddha's cremation. Before that, from 15:30, you can watch Saga Dainembutsu Kyogen, one of Kyoto's three nembutsu kyogen, masked plays without words, for free.
Mti, CC BY-SA 3.0 Nearby
Around Arashiyama
Bamboo at first light, then the maple temples under Mount Ogura
Arashiyama is on Kyoto's north-western edge, where Togetsukyo Bridge crosses the Oi River with wooded hills right behind it. You'll want the bridge, Tenryu-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and so will everyone else. Go early. Then walk north into Sagano. Its temples line the foot of Mount Ogura, and it's quieter at the far end, which Kyoto's official tourism site calls Okusaga.
Arashiyama has 30 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 14 shrines and temples, 4 landmarks, 3 parks and gardens, 2 restaurants, 2 bathhouses, 1 cafe, 1 museum, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop and 1 neighbourhood. Read the Arashiyama guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Rakushisha?
- 20 Saga-Ogurayama Himyojin-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市右京区嵯峨小倉山緋明神町20).
- What are the opening hours of Rakushisha?
- 1 Dec to 29 Feb: Daily 10:00 to 16:00. Rest of the year: Daily 10:00 to 17:00. Closed from 31 December to 3 January.
- How do I get to Rakushisha?
- The nearest station is Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line). Rakushisha is in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
- How much does Rakushisha cost?
- Rakushisha is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Rakushisha?
- Plan for 20 min.
- When is the best time to visit Rakushisha?
- Weekday mornings.
Stay near Rakushisha
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