Exploring Rurouni Kenshin Pilgrimage Spots in Kyoto

Since the manga series began in 1994, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story has gained popularity in a variety of forms, including anime and live-action film adaptations.

Known as “Ruroken” in Japan, it is also called Samurai X in some foreign countries such as the U.S., because of the cross-shaped scar on the cheek of the main character, Kenshin. This work is loved by people all over the world.

This article, we will introduce some spots in Kyoto that are associated with Rurouni Kenshin.

If you are a fan of Rurouni Kenshin, you should definitely visit these places.

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1. Arashiyama (Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove, Atago Nenbutsu-ji temple)

Arashiyama, a popular sightseeing spot in Kyoto, is a popular pilgrimage spot for fans of Rurouni Kenshin as it appears in the opening and ending images of the original Rurouni Kenshin anime (broadcast from 1996 to 1998).

1-1 Togetsukyo Bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge, which was used for the title backdrop of the 2nd opening (songname: “1/2”) of the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin, is a representative sightseeing spot in Arashiyama.

It is also known as a beautiful spot for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and you can feel the four seasons of Japan.

Many fans will say that the Togetsukyo Bridge will automatically remind them of Rurouni Kenshin.

Especially if you have seen the original anime (broadcast from 1996 to 1998), you should definitely visit the bridge.
▼ Togetsukyo Bridge
Address: 1-5 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Fee: Free (free to walk around)
Access: 2 min. walk from Arashiyama Sta. on the Keifuku Line (Randen), 8 min. walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Sta. and 11 min. walk from Saga-Arashiyama Sta. on the JR Line.

1-2 Bamboo grove path

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Lane is rumored to resemble the bamboo grove used in the scene where Yahiko appears in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin’s “2nd Opening (Song: 1/2 by Makoto Kawamoto)”. It is rumored to resemble the bamboo grove used in the scene where Yahiko appears in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin.

It would be a good idea to take a picture with the bamboo grove in the background to make your pilgrimage to the holy place memorable.
▼ Arashiyama bamboo grove path
Address: Saga-Okurayama Tabuchiyama-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Fee: Free (open only from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Access: 10 min. walk from Arashiyama Sta. on the Keifuku Line (Randen), 13 min. walk from Saga-Arashiyama Sta. on the JR Line, 21 min. walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Sta.

*Note: The bamboo grove in the movie version of Rurouni Kenshin is located in Wakayama Farm in Tochigi Prefecture.

The bamboo grove that appeared in the training scene between Kenshin and Seijuro Hiko in the third live-action movie Rurouni Kenshin: The Last Days of the Legend (2014) is not in Kyoto, but at Wakayama Farm, Wakatake no Mori Wakayama Farm in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. .

Wakayama Farm is a famous filming location that also appears in the live-action movie version of Kingdom, so movie fans may want to consider visiting Tochigi Prefecture, although it is a long way from Kyoto.

Tochigi Prefecture is far enough away from Kyoto that you will have to travel more than half a day by bullet train or car, so please plan your visit well in advance.
▼ Wakatake Forest Wakayama Farm
Address: 2018 Takaragihonmachi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi
Admission: Adults (16 years and older) 750 yen, elementary and junior high school students (6-15 years) 500 yen, preschool children (3-5 years) 250 yen, children under 2 years free
Hours: [Weekdays] 9:00 am – 5:00 pm [Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays] 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (*Closes at 9:00 pm from June to August)
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, other irregular holidays
Access: 40 minutes by bus from JR Utsunomiya Station, 10 minutes from the Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway, 30 minutes by car from JR Utsunomiya Station
Official website:https://www.wakayamafarm.com/

1-3 Atago Nenbutsuji Temple

“Atago Nembutsuji Temple (Otagi Nembutsuji)” is the sacred place in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin’s “5th Ending (Song: It’s gonna rain!, BONNIE PINK) ” is a sacred place that appears in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin.

Located far from the station and not so famous in Japan, it is not a temple that attracts many worshippers, but in recent years, many foreign tourists who saw the Rurouni Kenshin anime have begun to visit the temple, making it known as a holy place pilgrimage spot for fans.

The 1,200 stone arhats (Jizo) are a sight to behold, and a sight that is hard to find at other temples and shrines.

It takes about 5 minutes by cab from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, so if you visit Arashiyama, be sure to stop by.
▼ Atago Nembutsu-do
Address: 2-5 Sagani-Fukatani-cho, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Admission: 400 yen (free for elementary and junior high school students)
Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (last admission at 4:15 pm)
Access: 5 minutes by cab from the north exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, 25 minutes by bus from Hankyu Arashiyama Station (take Kyoto Bus #94 for Kiyotaki to Atagoji-mae (Get off at “Atagoji-mae” bus stop, #94 for Kiyotaki), 40 minutes from JR “Kyoto Station” by car.
Official website:https://www.otagiji.com/

2. Nanzenji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple, which is designated as a national historic site and visited by many people every year, is also a sacred place for the original anime version of Rurouni Kenshin.

2-1 San-mon Gate

The San-mon Gate of Nanzenji Temple is the main gate of the temple and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

At 22 meters high, it is one of the tallest gates in Japan and one of the Three Great Gates of Kyoto, so it is definitely worth a visit for a closer look.

“Sanmon” appears in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin’s “5th Ending (Song: It’s gonna rain!, BONNIE PINK)”.

2-2 Suirokaku

Suijikaku, located in the precincts of Nanzenji Temple, is also a sacred place that appears in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin’s “5th Ending (Song: It’s gonna rain! (song: It’s gonna rain!, BONNIE PINK)” in the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin.

The Suirokaku is an artificial canal that was built in Shiga Prefecture, next to Kyoto, to draw water from Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, to Kyoto City.

The bridge is still in use today. Its brick and granite arched piers are well known for their beauty, and every year many tourists visit the bridge to see its Western-style retro architectural beauty and the water flowing through the upper canal.

Incidentally, the bridge also appears in the hit anime K-ON!, an anime about high school girls in a music club.

Please be sure to visit this temple along with the San-mon gate.
▼ Nanzenji Temple
Address: 86 Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Fee: Free admission to the precincts of the temple (* Admission fees of 600 yen for adults, 500 yen for high school students, and 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students are required for the Sanmon gate, Hojo Garden, and Nanzen-in Temple).
Hours: [December – February] 8:40 am – 4:30 pm [March – November] 8:40 am – 5:00 pm
Access: 10 min. walk from Keage Sta. on the Tozai Line, 30 min. by city bus from JR Kyoto Sta.
Official website:https://nanzenji.or.jp/

3. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto, is also a popular sacred place for Rurouni Kenshin.

In the “2nd opening” of the old anime version of Rurouni Kenshin (music: 1/2, Makoto Kawamoto), the scene where Kaoru Kamiya looks at Kiyomizu Temple is used in the opening, and many fans have posted on SNS, taking pictures as if they were Kaoru, or taking videos with their own Kaoru figures, etc. Many fans have posted on social networking sites, taking photos of themselves as Kaoru, or taking videos of themselves with Kaoru figurines and other items.

The Kiyomizu-no-butai (stage of Kiyomizu), which extends out from the main hall of the temple, a national treasure, is approximately 12 meters above the ground, the height of a four-story building.

Built using traditional Japanese construction methods, it is not only beautiful but also surprisingly earthquake-resistant, with latticework of timbers supporting each other without the use of a single nail.

It is also a beautiful spot with a spectacular view whose atmosphere changes with the seasons, so even if you have been there once before, why not visit again?
▼ Kiyomizu-dera
Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm (closes at 9:30 pm when the temple is illuminated)
Admission: 400 yen for adults and high school students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students
Access: Approximately 19 minutes on foot from Kiyomizu Gojo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Line, approximately 15 minutes by city bus from JR Kyoto Station, approximately 8 minutes on foot from the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, approximately 15 minutes by cab from JR Kyoto Station.
Official website:https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/

Kyoto is full of Rurouni Kenshin holy places!

As you can see, there are many Rurouni Kenshin holy places in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto.

From October 2024, a new anime series, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story – Kyoto Disturbance, which will be the second anime adaptation, will be broadcast on TV and distributed on Amazon Prime Video.

Please take this opportunity to enjoy the Rurouni Kenshin Holy Land Pilgrimage in Kyoto!

(Source: PR TIMES)

＞ Click here for the official website of the new anime series Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story – Kyoto Disturbance.

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