A train running along Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan

© Alvin Huang/Getty Image

Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan

Step off the train at Arashiyama Station, Kyoto, and you'll immediately feel as if you've stepped into a Studio Ghibli frame. Located, just west of the city centre, this district has long been the go-to spot for scenic walks and historic temples. The river winds gently beneath the wooden Togetsukyō Bridge, originally built during the Heian era (794 to 1185) and rebuilt in 1934. Further in, you'll find Tenryū-ji, once the residence of shoguns and now a peaceful Zen temple.

A short walk ahead leads you into the famous Bamboo Grove, a surreal corridor of towering stalks that hum with every breeze. This landscape has inspired numerous anime scenes and even appeared in Studio Ghibli films such as 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya,' acting like a magnet for anime lovers. For those up for a light hike, Iwatayama Monkey Park offers panoramic view of Kyoto—with over 170 monkeys accompanying you. Grab a matcha ice cream, hop on a train ride from the Sagano Scenic Railway through the valley carved by the Hozugawa River and make a day of it.