When I visited Kyoto, I was looking forward to exploring all the truly out of this world temples that it had to offer, but ultimately, visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove was by far the unbeatable highlight of my time in Kyoto.
I remember first discovering the existence of this bamboo forest several years ago in a Buzzfeed post, and ever since then it had been an ever-present feature on the seemingly never-ending list of places that I want to see before I croak. So when I finally made it to Japan, I was most definitely going to be finding this glorious forest!
As it turned out, much like everywhere else in Japan, getting to Arashiyama was surprisingly easy.
From Kyoto Station, catch the JR San-In line bound for Sonobe and get off at Saga-Arashiyama Station. If you are using a JR Pass (something I highly recommend) then this trip will not cost you a single extra cent.
From Saga-Arashiyama Station it is a 1.9km (around 1.2 miles for my readers who aren’t on the metric system) walk to the entrance to the bamboo forest. This walk is not particularly well signed (at least not in English) but it is still fairly simple to work out where you need to go. When in doubt, the google maps recorded location of the forest is pretty spot on.
Along the way you will be treated to some lovely views of local Japanese houses – some of which are really cute.
After going straight down this quiet street for 800 metres or so, you will come across a slightly busier looking street and in particular, a little ice cream and snack stand. Next to this stand is another little road, and from there you pretty much just have to follow the road and you will find the forest with ease, even if you are like me and have truly horrible navigational skills.
As you follow this smaller street, you will pass numerous temples which will more than likely be closed. However, despite being unable to enter said temples, you can certainly still enjoy them from the outside.
Before too long, you will start to find that the area becomes more and more ‘forest-y’ and less and less urban. This is another good sign that you are headed in the right direction.
The fences will then start to disappear and your first views of the bamboo will be absolutely gorgeous, but rest assured in that the best is still just around the corner…
I mean seriously, how fricking gorgeous is this place?!
I really do love this next shot. Without having a person in frame (in this shot it is myself) the grandeur and sheer size of the bamboo would definitely be less obvious.
I must admit, I had been mildly worried that Arashiyama would be one of those places that looks absolutely spectacular in pictures only to be a letdown when seen in real life, but that was definitely not the case. It was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined it to be, possibly even more so.
The forest isn’t overly massive, and the two most beautiful pathways are connected to each other. However, despite the place not being enormous, its beauty kept me pretty mesmerised for well over an hour. Honestly, it probably would have kept me entertained even longer, but a group of Japanese school kids showed up and the zen vibes the place had been giving off kinda disappeared.
If you are planning to visit Arashiyama, I have two pieces of advice that you would be wise to pay attention to.
Firstly, either wear long pants or bring mosquito repellent.
Secondly, if you want to see the forest at its most peaceful, go as early in the morning as you possibly can. My mate Kaisha and I had a pretty damn early start and other than seeing one or two other duos, we pretty much had the place to ourselves…
At least until the Japanese school kids rocked up at around 9am.
There are no entrance fees to enter the forest, so if you make the trip using your JR Pass, visiting this totally bucket-list worthy place will not cost you a thing. This is especially appealing when you are a budget backpacker who has already blown too many Yen on sushi!
Once we left the confines of the forest and emerged out under the harsh Japanese sun, both Kaisha and myself were seriously craving something to eat and something to cool us down. The little snack booth that we had seen on the way to the forest was now open, and they were serving some seriously delicious mango juice – the perfect thing for a hot and humid day.
Mango juice just wasn’t enough though. Ice cream was also a requirement – because ice cream is pretty much always a requirement. By the time my chocolate gelato was settling nicely in my tummy we had arrived back at the Saga-Arashiyama Station and began the onwards journey to our next destination for the day – Kinkaku-Ji – also known as the Golden Pavillion. As always, stay tuned!
T H E L O W D O W N
Getting to Kyoto: Though Kansai airport is the closest airport to Kyoto, it is often cheaper to fly into Shin-Osaka airport and catch a short 30 minute train to Kyoto
Getting to Arashiyama: From Kyoto Station, catch the San-In line towards Sonobe and get off at Saga-Arashiyama station, then walk for approx 1.9km
Arashiyama: Entrance to the forest is free and open 24/7, but pay attention to the opening hours at local temples
Threads: Both my white top and colourful pants are by the amazing Tigerlily Swimwear
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8 lens
Remember: The early bird gets the worm (and beats the crowds)
Don’t forget to add me on Snapchat and Instagram – @wwellend – for more foolishness and travel adventures!
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Cool post and thanks for the info., wasn’t aware of the Forrest. Lovely pictures too.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Although I wasn’t hugely sold on Kyoto as a place, I loved Arashiyama – getting there early is essential if you want a chance at having the place to yourself though! Slightly envious of all the Japanese schoolchildren who wander through the bamboo grove every day on their way to school, wouldn’t mind a commute like that myself!
Totally agree- it was SO well worth the early rise 🙂
Lovely snaps and writeup doutlets thumps up
Thanks so much! 🙂
A beautiful, peaceful, inspiring place in what for me is one of the greatest cities on earth. Kyoto dazzles the optic nerve, and is culinary heaven. Thanks for taking me back there for a few moments.
Wow, thank you so much David. I love comments like this one!
Wow wow wow! Definitely pinning this for my Japan trip one day….
Awesome! Well worth the pin, I promise you!
Sick photos!
Before I croak, I’d love to visit Japan also! I’m very envious of you. I hope it can be possible at some point! Wow, I’ve never heard of this forest before. I can only imagine how zen this place must be… Everyone should travel around the world like you, so that they can expose themselves to different cultures, lifestyles, and environments. The best thing is for people to be open-minded, and I find travel accomplishes that. Beautiful pictures! And very entertaining blog. Love it. 🙂
Thanks so much Roxi! I love to get comments like this one 🙂 I hope you get to visit Japan soon!
Wow bamboo forest looks amazing
a beautiful place!!
Impressive!
I have heard that the Japanese have something called “soft-serve Gelato” (Jiratu). The Bamboo Forest indeed looks bucket-list worthy.
Maybe that is what I had, it certainly was a very soft kinda ice cream!
I love Kyoto, I love Arashiyama and I really loved your post. You got amazing photos from the place. Having photos without other people is almost impossible there 😀
Really? I must have really lucked out with having it so empty! Thanks for reading 🙂
We loved Kyoto – it’s an incredible inspirational place and the Bamboo forests are a key part of that
It was definitely my favourite part of Kyoto for sure 🙂
Oh I think the Geisha’s were mine that area is just so mysterious
Great post! Going early great advice
Looks great! I’m in Japan next month so will follow your Japan series with great interest.
Awesome! How long are you going for?
A month, although skiing in Naeba over NY so only really 3 weeks of exploration time.
I was in Kyoto in September. I ventured there on my second to last day visiting Tokyo and took the bullet train over and found myself alone in Kyoto and loving it. I only wish I had known about this amazing bamboo forest. These shots are amazing! I’m going to ask you for the millionth time HOW DO YOU TRAVEL LIKE THIS SO MUCH?!? lol. Amazing shots.
Hard work and a lotta luck! 🙂
This is beautiful. I did not know such place exist. And the bamboo just go up and up. Amazing!
Thank you – it really is an amazing little pocket of Kyoto 🙂
Hey that was superb!! Like your narration and the pictures. I admire bamboo and like being surrounded by them, sort of gives me a good feeling. Recently, I went to Nisargadama in Coorg (India). This place is famous for the little bamboo park near river Cauvery. But I really can’t compare them to the tall trees in your pictures….they are simply amazing. I agree that, a place like this is better experienced in silence. Thanks for sharing them. Keep them on.
I shall have to add Nisargadama to my India list!
Well if you are in love with bamboo’s..definetly…but there’s good Buddhist temple nearby….I would recommend that…for the early morning peaceful atmosphere:)
Great pics…. and the funny triangle ice cones *lol*
Haha they are a little counter productive!
My bf and I want to visit Japan one day and I cant wait to show him this cool forest! Thx :))
I hope you both can get there very soon 🙂
Thank you :))
Arashiyama was one of my favorite places when we went! I really wish we had hit it earlier, and I’d love to see it at night. Did you go see the monkeys, too?
If you’re curious about our day there: https://lotsasmilesphoto.com/2016/01/12/japan-day-12-arashiyama/
I didn’t see monkeys! Maybe they were all still asleep 🙂 I will definitely check out your post!
Nah, the monkeys are across the river from the bamboo grove. Worth the detour if you’re in the area!
Note that if you don’t have a JR Pass (I travel too slowly for one to be cost-effective) you can reach Arashiyama on the private Kaifuku line, which will deliver you much closer to the bamboo. You can buy a one day Randen Pass for 500 yen which gets you unlimited rides on the line, which can also get you to within reasonable walking distance of Kinkaku-ji.
I didn’t get there early enough to avoid the crowds, but I did find a lot of peace and quiet in the beautiful garden of Okochi Sanso, right next door.
Thanks for the tips!
Laughing. I was wondering whether the ice cream place would make a reappearance. Beautiful photos. And a class of kids can pretty well disturb the peace anywhere in the world. 🙂 –Curt
The ice cream place always makes a reappearance ha! 🙂
Nice post and great pics. Since you were in the are, did you get a chance to go to Monkey Park Iwatayama? It was so much fun when I was there 2 years ago.
No I didn’t! Will have to add it to my list of things to do when I return to Japan!
amazing, beautiful, never 👂 about this place . Thank you.
My pleasure – I hope you see it for yourself one day 🙂
I’m visiting Tokyo and Kyoto in April for the Easter holidays! Reading your Japan Series has got me so excited. The pictures you have taken in the forest are stunning, looks like a magical place to visit, hopefully I will see it too!