Often missed by the majority of travelers, Saga Toriimoto is a quaint village some twenty minutes walk from Arashiyama’s bamboo forest. The main street is lined up with restored townhouses dating back to the Meiji period. These townhouses used to be private residences though some of them were transformed into shops and restaurants over time. The main attractions are its two magnificent temples, Adashino Nenbutsuji and Otagi Nenbutsuji dotted with hundreds of unique stone statues often covered in moss. There are also some impressive thatched roof houses at the very end of the main street. The entire street usually feels almost deserted and the lack of crowd helps to enhance its “old-town” feel. A welcomed break from the tourist-packed areas in central Arashiyama.
