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A guide for visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto
When looking for the best things to do in Kyoto, it is likely that a trip to the Arashiyama Bamboo forest will come up somewhere on the list. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most popular places to visit in Kyoto. But, what is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and is it worth visiting?
What is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
The Bamboo Forest is a 400m long pedestrian path which cuts through a thick forest of tall bamboo trees in the small town of Arashiyama, just outside of Kyoto.
There are many magical photos of the Bamboo Forest (or Bamboo Grove as it is also known). Walking through the grove of tall bamboo trees, and the way that the sunlight catches the tops of the trees, is quite beautiful. Sounds tranquil doesn’t it? The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is many things, but unfortunately tranquil is not one of them!
As with any popular place, it does get very busy with other visitors, so unless you arrive first thing in the morning or at the end of the day as the light goes, you won’t be alone. That being said, I still think it is worth a visit. As long as you don’t mind sharing the path with other tourists, the bamboo Forest is beautiful. In fact, the whole area of Arahiyama is really quite charming and it is a great place to spend a few hours outside of Kyoto city.
When is the best time to visit the Bamboo Forest?
Try to avoid visiting the bamboo forest in the middle of the day. Between the times of 11am and 3pm, the forest and also the main street of Arashiyama gets very busy. During this time it is most crowded with visitors enjoying a stroll through the forest either side of lunch.
For the best chance of enjoying the forest without too many other people, it is best to arrive early morning or right at the end of the day as most of the crowds start to thin out. You can also get some beautiful photos of the forest during sunrise, especially on a sunny day when the rays of sunshine glow between the tall trees.
The Arashiyama bamboo forest is open year-round, even in the winter months. In fact, the bamboo forest after snow has fallen can look quite magical. As you might expect, the peak summer months in Japan are when the forest receives the most visitors, so I would try to avoid this time if possible, or at least steer well clear of midday during these months.
How to get from Kyoto to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
The town of Arashiyama is located 10km outside of Kyoto, on the western outskirts of the city. You can easily reach the scenic town by car or using public transport.
Kyoto to Arashiyama by train
The easiest and fastest way to travel to the town of Arashiyama from Kyoto is by train. From Kyoto station, take the JR Sagano line train direct to Arashiyama. The train journey takes 25 minutes and costs 240 yen (£1.30) each way. If you have a JR pass, you can use it on this train, as long as your pass covers this region.
Not sure whether a JR pass is worth it? Read more about having a JR pass, here
Kyoto to Arashiyama by tram
The tram is the most scenic way to get to Arashiyama. The tram departs from Sai station in Kyoto and takes 18 minutes. This is the most expensive option, with one way tickets costing 480 yen (£2.60), which is still very reasonable.
Kyoto to Arashiyama by bus
Bus no. 28 will take you from Kyoto station to Arashiyama if you prefer to take the bus. However, it can take anywhere from 40 minutes to one hour and costs the same as the train, so I personally wouldn’t recommend the bus.
Tip: If you’re short on time, then make the most of your limited time in Kyoto and book onto a day trip, combining a visit to Arashiyama with some of the best sights in Kyoto.
Arashiyama Travel Guide
The small scenic town of Arashiyama is most well known for the Bamboo forest, however there are several other points of interest in the town that are worth taking note of.
The Arashiyama Bamboo forest is the main reason most visitors come to Arrashiyama, however, the scenic path through the main bamboo grove is short and it won’t take you long to wander through. So, after you have seen the forest, it’s definitely worth sticking around to explore the neighbourhood and see some of the other great attractions in Arashiyama.
Here’s some of the best things to do in Arashiyama:
Arashiyama Park
The bamboo forest connects nicely to Arahiyama Park. When you come to the end of the bamboo forest path, instead of turning around the going back the same way through the grove, turn left and continue into Arahiyama Park. There are several trails that criss-cross through the small park. Head to the edge of the park to check out the viewpoints over the Katsura river.
Tenryu-Ji temple
The Tenryu-ji temple sits on the edge of the Arashiyama Park. So after you have visited the Bamboo grove and wandered through the park, stop by the temple before heading back into town.
The Tenryu-ji temple is surrounded by pretty landscaped gardens and a tranquil pond. Entry to the gardens is 500 yen (£2.70). If you want to also access the main template building, there is an additional fee of 300 yen (£1.70). It is not a large temple complex, so you won’t need long here.
If wandering through traditional Japanese temples surrounded by sprawling gardens is your thing, make sure that you take a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto to Nara Deer Park.
Kimono Forest
The name of this point of interest is slightly deceiving, as it is not actually a forest. It is, in fact, an art installation, made up of 600 pillars, each covered in brightly coloured Kimono textiles. At night, the pillars are illuminated, creating a really pretty walkway. This installation is located in the train station, so you can pop by whilst waiting to catch you train back to Kyoto.
Arashiyama town
The small town of Arashiyama is a great place to wander and enjoy a spot of lunch or afternoon tea. The main high street is lined with cafes, restaurants and street food stalls. There is also a small covered courtyard near the train station which has several food kiosks. You can also find several small souvenir shops along the high street, too.
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Located across the Togetsukyo bridge, on the other side of the Katsura river is the Arashiyama Monkey Park. After a short but steep 20 minute hike up to the top of Iwatayama Peak, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of Arahiyama and the outer edge of Kyoto city. The Monkeys are free to roam, so care must be taken to not get too close to them.
Entrance to the monkey park is 600 yen (£3.30) for adults and 300 yen (£1.65) for children aged 4-16. During the winter, I’d also recommend paying a visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park near Nagano in central Japan to see the famous Japanese Snow Monkeys.
