Okayama Castle
This castle was created by Warlord Hideie Ukita in 1597. The main castle was built on top of a hill named Okayama, and the Tensyu (castle tower), was built in front of the Asahikawa River. The adjacent castle town was created with merchants and craftsmen.
Okayama Castle is right across from Korakuen Garden, so it's really convenient to visit both spots together. The ticket price isn't too expensive, and the combo ticket with Korakuen is an even better deal.
MUNI KYOTO
Located next to the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto, this luxury hotel under the concept of “One and One Scenery” has been offering an ultimate healing and supreme stay experience since August 2020.
The afternoon tea here is amazing! All the egg dishes and French desserts are so beautifully made. Plus, the location is perfect—you get a direct view of the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Tennoji Zoo
Tennoji Zoo opened on January 1st, 1915 and had its 100th anniversary in 2015. Almost 170 species and 1000 animals are kept in about 11 hectares of the zoo. In the reptile house, "Ifar," and in “African Savanna Zone” where hippopotamus, giraffes, and lions live, the ecological exhibition introduces reproduced scenery of animals’ habitats as closely as possible.
The ticket is only 500 yen, so it's really not expensive at all. I definitely didn't regret going in—in fact, I thought it was a great deal.
Sagano Romantic train
The Sagano Kanko Railway's trolley trains operate on a revived part of the former San'in Main Line, which was closed down. Classical Art Deco style coaches coupled to a diesel locomotive travel 7.3 km one way from Torokko Saga Station, adjacent to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, to Torokko Kameoka Station, taking about 25 minutes.
The ride is only 25 minutes, so it's not that long, but the scenery along the way is absolutely fantastic!
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Fushimi, located at the south gate of Kyoto City, is one of Japan’s three major areas producing Sake; the others are Nada in Hyogo Prefecture and Saijo in Hiroshima Prefecture. Many brewers’ buildings have white colored-walls around this area, which gives the area a traditional brewer’s atmosphere from the Edo period.
The sake from Gekkeikan here is really tasty!
It's perfect to buy some as a souvenir.
Boating down Hozugawa
Hozu River starts from Tanba Plateau. A small boat with a flat bottom will go down the River for 16km from Kameoka to Saga Arashiyama in two hours. Experienced three boatmen steer the vessel through the rocky gorge. A truly dynamic boat tour on the current.
The boat ticket is a bit pricey,
but it's still pretty worth it.