愛宕念仏寺

To reach Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, take a taxi from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (around 5 minutes) or bus 62, 72, 92, or 94 to the Otagi Dera Mae stop. The hillside location makes walking from central Arashiyama impractical. Weekday mornings are the best time to visit; the temple sees very few tourists and you may well have the grounds to yourself.

The 1,200 stone rakan statues are the main draw, each carved by a different amateur between 1981 and 1991. Look closely and you'll spot figures clutching tennis rackets, sharing sake, or sticking out their tongues. A running game among visitors is finding the one that looks most like them.