一般社団法人日本観光自動車道協会 一般社団法人日本観光自動車道協会

Drive Guide

Arashiyama-Takao Parkway

Invited by the winds of the four seasons. This is a ancient capital road where you can relax.

Arashiyama-Takao Parkway is a 10.7-kilometer toll road that connects from “Arashiyama”, there are many “Historic Properties of Ancient Kyoto (the World Cultural Heritage Sites)” a mecca of Kyoto sightseeing and, to “Takao,” an area richly endowed with nature.
※Click here for the highlights of Historic Properties of Ancient Kyoto
Along the parkway, there is not only an observation space, from which the beautiful scenery can be enjoyed, but also leisure facilities, such as an amusement park where families can have a enjoyable time! The parkway is a leisure area equipped with a large parking lot convenient for strolling the surrounding area. The parkway’s greatest charm is the foliage season in autumn. The blazing red leaves that appear as autumn deepens cannot be expressed in words. The sunlight through the autumn leaves and the sunset produce a road beautifully.
We also recommend stretching your legs a bit and taking in the view of Lake Biwa from Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple in Lake Biwa Quasi-National Park. ※Click here for the highlights of Lake Biwa Quasi-National Park

Located on the west side of Kyoto City, Mt. Ogura may be well known due to Japanese traditional card game “Hyakunin Isshu (the Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)”. The observation space on Mt. Ogura overlooks the entire Kyoto City. If you look at Kyoto Tower through binoculars, you can see the Shinkansen running through Kyoto Station. On the opposite side, you can look down at the stream of the Hozu-gawa River and see a boat sailing down the fast-moving river. In the silence, the sounds of train whistles and trains running on the Sanin Main Line and the chirping of birds make music together. There is also a cafe in the observation space. At Ogurayam Café, you can have a relaxing time while watching an incredible landscape.
Now that you are deep in the mountains, you can see the stream of the Hozu-gawa River that originates in the Tanba region spreading out below you. Sheer gorges on both banks create a stern impression that no one can enter them. If you look at a boat that left Kameoka sailing down the Hozu-gawa River in the mountains and gorges, you can see boatmen setting courses using poles while avoiding colliding with large rocks and oddly-shaped rocks. Besides, you can see the Torokko train (freight car for passengers) running spreading out below you and, if you listen carefully, you can hear a departure bell ringing at the departure time from Hozukyo Station.
There is Mt. Atago that towers high in the back of the parkway. It is the highest mountain in Kyoto with Atago Shrine enshrining the god of fire situated on the mountaintop. You can see the tall mountain with an altitude of 924 meters up close. It is said that it is quite hard to climb Mt. Atago, but you may receive blessings of the god of fire if you worship the summit from here. On the opposite side of Mt. Agato, there is an observation space overlooking Kyoto City. Before you, Mt. Hihei rises high, you can also see Mt. Daimonji with a geoglyph depicting a Chinese character “大” on the mountainside. On the parkway, divination “Kawarake Nage,” a unique custom of Jingo-ji Temple in Takao, is available. If you visit the shrine with your partner, why don’t you try the love divination?
At a large pond called Shobudaniike, you can play with a rental boat and have a barbecue (reservation required) on the shore of the pond. Leisurely swimming Wild Ducks will welcome you. In the large parking lot available for events where car enthusiasts gather, they enjoy talking about their cars beside their beloved cars. In the foliage reason in autumn, bright red leaves at the tunnel near the parking lot welcome visitors. Please thoroughly enjoy a beautiful landscape, which is well known all over Japan as Takao Autumn Leaves.

Contact

  • Company：Nishiyama Driveway Co., Ltd.
  • TEL：075-871-1221
  • address：11 Umegahata-hinokiyashirocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
  • Email：jidousyadou@parkway.hankyu.co.jp
  • Click here for the official site

Section

Starting point
8 Sagatoriimoto-sennocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
 
end point
11 Umegahata-hinokiyashirocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Fee

Motorcycle (over 125cc)
1,500 yen(Closed on weekends and holidays)
Light / Ordinary car
1,800 yen
Minibus
4,000 yen
Large car
6,000 yen

Access

Kyoto Jukan Expressway Kyotango-omiya IC   20km
（40min）		   Arashiyama-Takao Parkway
   
Arashiyama-Takao Parkway   San’inkaigan National Park
 

Recommended drive route 1

Point1
Arashiyama – Takao Parkway (Kiyotaki Gate)
 

1.4km
(3min)

Point2
Ogurayama Lookout
 

1m
(2min)

Point3
Hozukyo Gorge Lookout
 

5km
(8min)

Point4
Shobugaoka Lookout

Recommended drive route 2

Point1
Takao Gate
 

45km
(50min)

Point2
Historic Properties of Ancient Kyoto  (Ninna-ji, Ryoan-ji, Kinkaku-ji etc.)
 

30km
(40min）

Point3
Enryaku-ji
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