Situated in the far west of Kyoto, Arashiyama is the second-most famous sightseeing district in the area. Renowned for its majestic and otherworldly towering bamboo forest, it also has numerous fabulously scenic temples and shrines. If your travels were limited to the main street which is overcrowded with tourists, it may not have been such a special experience, but if you were able to escape the din of the crowd and explore the true beauty of Arashiyama, chances are it became one of the most memorable excursions in your trip to Japan.

Now, there's a way you can bring home the highlights of Arashiyama with a new series of capsule toy miniature landscapes made by Heso Production Co., Ltd. These landscapes convey the famous sights and experiences of the Arashiyama and Sagano areas, some of them captured in the seasons which are most popular to visit.

There are five miniatures in all:

The Keifuku Randen tram line amidst cherry blossoms

The last remnant of a network of tramlines which formerly covered the city, the Keifuku Randen tram line slows down during peak cherry blossom viewing seasons as it passes through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Descending the Hozu River

Recommended as one of the best ways to discover the Arashiyama area, riding a traditional boat and descending the lower Hozu River is another memorable experience you can have. Exciting rapids, deep pools and beautiful scenery await.

Sagano Scenic Railway amidst fall colors

Also known as the Sagano Romantic Train, the Sagano Scenic Railway takes you on charming, old-fashioned trains winding through the mountains. In fall, the beautiful auburn and crimson colors of the leaves make for a stunning backdrop.

Arashiyama Bamboo

Look carefully, and you'll see a rickshaw taking passengers along the path flanked by towering bamboo, in this iconic Arashiyama scene.

Hokusai's "Yamashiro Arashiyama Togetsukyo" bridge

This miniature is a bit different than the others in that it reproduces a scenery from a famous woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, 『山城あらし山吐月橋』Yamashiro Arashiyama Togetsukyo. The Togetsukyo Bridge (literally, "bridge of the relected moon") is now crowded with tourists, but it's still beautiful to behold.

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Availability

The Arashiyama Miniature Landscape capsule toy series will be available from July 15th at Sagano Sta. on the Sagano Scenic Railway, from July 18th 12 PM (JST) on Heso Production's online store, and from July 23rd at Arashiyama area gift shops, Sagano Scenic Railway shops, Keifuku Randen Tram Line shops, Hozu River boat tour shops and JR Kyoto Sta. shops, etc.

Each miniature landscape costs 500 JPY + tax, and will be available in the following formats:

Blind Box

At stores with no capsule toy dispensing machine, you'll find them in "blind boxes," in other words, one of the five landscapes are contained but you don't know which one before you buy it.

Capsule Toy Dispensers