渡月橋一直是西部京都的嵐山地區的地標，已有四百多年的歷史了。這座木橋橫跨嵐山山前的桂河。風景秀麗，春天的櫻花和秋天的色彩吸引了大批人潮。

 

The bridge has often been used in historical films.  It is also the site of an important initiation for local children. Young boys and girls (the latter clad in kimono) first receive a blessing from a local temple and then make their way across the bridge under orders to do so without looking back. If one ignores this instruction, it is said to bring bad luck as a result, so the stakes are high!