Experiencing Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Kyoto, Japan’s Favorite Photography Spot
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous places in Kyoto, and is also one of the most popular Instagram spots in Japan for tourists. Strolling through towering bamboo stalks while the sunlight filters through the leaves feels completely different from exploring busy streets elsewhere in the city, and this little corner of the city has more to it than just this one site.
That being said, there are a few things we wish we had known before visiting. The Bamboo Forest can get extremely crowded, and the experience can be very different depending on when you go.
In this guide, we’ll cover why the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is so famous, where it is, how to get there, what the experience is actually like, and our best tips for making the most of your visit.
Want to save the article for later? Pin it!
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we’ve used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
Basic Info About the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
First, let’s talk about what makes this bamboo forest so famous, and where in Japan it’s located.
⭐️ Why Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Famous?
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is famous for its enormous bamboo stalks that create a natural tunnel through the forest. The combination of the bright green bamboo, narrow paths, and towering trees makes it one of the most recognizable landscapes in Japan.
It has also become one of Kyoto’s most photographed attractions, so you’ve probably seen photos of it all over Instagram and travel guides. The area itself is much more than just the bamboo, though, with temples, gardens, traditional streets, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
📍 Where Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
The Bamboo Forest is located in Arashiyama, on the western side of Kyoto. It’s part of a larger area filled with some of the city’s most famous attractions, so it’s easy to combine your visit with other things to do in Arashiyama.
The main bamboo grove is located near Tenryu-ji Temple, and the paths through the bamboo eventually connect with other parts of the neighborhood.
How to Get to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Getting to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is actually pretty easy from central Kyoto, and taking the train is usually the simplest option.
🚆 Getting to Arashiyama By Train
One of the easiest options to getting to Arashiyama is taking the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station. From there, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to the Bamboo Forest.
Another popular option is the Randen Line, which takes you to Arashiyama Station. This puts you closer to many of the attractions in the area and makes it easy to explore the neighborhood on foot.
🚕 Getting to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest By Taxi
You can also take a taxi directly to Arashiyama, which can be convenient if you’re traveling with luggage or a group. However, traffic can be an issue, especially during busy seasons, so we generally prefer the train.
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
What Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Experience Like?
The Bamboo Forest itself isn’t a huge attraction that takes an entire day to explore. The main paths through the bamboo can be walked fairly quickly, but the experience is really about taking your time and enjoying the atmosphere.
The bamboo stalks tower above you on both sides of the path, creating a completely different environment from the rest of Kyoto.
The path itself is quite short, so there’s really not need to rush.
📸 Is the Bamboo Forest Worth Visiting?
We definitely think the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is worth visiting, especially if it’s your first time in Kyoto. Just don’t expect to have the entire forest to yourself because this is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
The biggest mistake is treating it like a quick photo stop and immediately leaving. Arashiyama is one of those areas where you should plan to spend several hours exploring everything around the Bamboo Forest.
While the bamboo forest is pretty, there are other ones you can enjoy (even right nearby!). We honestly only thought the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was worth it because of all of the other great attractions surrounding it.
🌅 What Is the Best Time to Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
The best time to visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is early in the morning. The earlier you arrive, the better chance you’ll have of experiencing the paths with fewer people.
Sunrise is especially beautiful if you want photos with softer light and fewer crowds. By late morning and throughout the afternoon, the area can become extremely busy.
Even as early as we went, there were quite a few people there already. We tried waiting for them to walk further, but the path itself is not as long as you’d probably think.
Nearby Attractions in Arashiyama
One of the best things about visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is that you can easily turn it into a full day of sightseeing. There is plenty to do and see in the area, making every minute of the journey to get there worth it!
🛕 Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Find it crowded at Arayashima Bamboo Forest? Well, our favorite little secret is there is anothe nearby bamboo forest!
The temple has a few different areas you can walk around and enjoy, along with a small staircase through a much more quiet bamboo forest – we had it practically all to ourselves!
🗿 Otagi Nenbutsuji
Just past the Adashino Nenbutsuji temple is another great temple you won’t want to miss out on. It’s away from the crowds, and features 1,200 stone heads, dating back to the 8th century.
🏯 Tenryu-ji Temple
Tenryu-ji is one of the most important temples in Arashiyama and sits right next to the Bamboo Forest. The temple grounds and gardens are beautiful, making this one of the easiest attractions to combine with your visit.
👘 Kimono Forest
Located right next to the train tracks is a free art exhibit! You’ll find 600 colorful pillars – we recommend going at night when they are all lit up!
🌉 Togetsukyo Bridge
The famous Togetsukyo Bridge crosses the Katsura River and is one of the most iconic sights in Arashiyama. The surrounding mountains make the area especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and autumn, so don’t forget your camera!
🐒 Arashiyama Monkey Park
One of the best things to do in Arashiyama is the Arashiyama Monkey Park to see Japanese macaques. Do keep in mind it’s a good 20 minute walk up to the monkey park from the entrance. Once you get to the top you get to enjoy seeing monkeys, as well as stunning panoramic views over Kyoto.
🍵 Arashiyama Streets
Make sure to leave some time to simply wander around Arashiyama. There are traditional shops, cafés, restaurants, souvenir stores, and plenty of places to stop for Japanese snacks.
We definitely underestimated the area, as we would have left a few more hours to simply hang out and enjoy the town more.
🎋 Okochi Sanso Garden
Located at the end of the Bamboo Forest, Okochi Sanso is a beautiful former villa with traditional gardens and views over Kyoto. It’s a great place to continue exploring once you’ve walked through the bamboo.
🏞️ Hozugawa River
The Hozugawa River runs through the mountains around Arashiyama and offers beautiful scenery away from the busiest tourist areas. Depending on the season, you can also take a scenic boat ride through the surrounding landscape.
Our biggest recommendation is to treat the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as one part of an Arashiyama day rather than the entire attraction. The bamboo is beautiful, but the surrounding temples, river, gardens, and streets are what make this one of our favorite areas to explore in Kyoto.
Tips for Visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
There are a few things we highly recommend keeping in mind before visiting.
🌅 Go early: This is our biggest tip if you want to actually enjoy the bamboo without huge crowds.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking quite a bit around Arashiyama.
📸 Be patient with photos: Getting a completely empty bamboo path in the middle of the day is unlikely.
🚶🏻♀️ Don’t only visit the Bamboo Forest: There is so much more to see around Arashiyama.
🍵 Leave time for food: Arashiyama has plenty of traditional restaurants, cafés, and Japanese sweets to try.
🗓️ Expect crowds during peak seasons: Cherry blossom season and fall foliage can be particularly busy.
🌧️ Don’t automatically cancel because of rain: The bamboo can actually be beautiful and a cool mood on an overcast or rainy day. Just bring an umbrella!
Final Thoughts About Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto & What’s Next
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is definitely a place to put on your Japan bucket list. That being said, we found it to be a bit overhyped.
What we actually loved most were all of the nearby attractions, and the fact that it can easily be made into an entire day trip to temples, parks, shopping, and dining.
We recommend starting your day early, and making sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking quite a bit!
Want to save the article for later? Pin it!
👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know what to expect visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – but don’t go yet! Here are some other places you can enjoy.
Our other Japan travel guides:
⭐️ Is Osaka worth visiting?
🗼 30 things to do in Osaka, Japan
✈️ How to get to Osaka, Japan
🚗 How to get around Osaka, Japan
📖 Ultimate Osaka travel guide
🍴 Osaka food guide
🚌 How to get to Nara, Japan
🏮 Nara Lantern Festival
🦌 What to do in Nara in one day
📖 Nara travel guide
📆 The best time to visit Japan
🇯🇵 The ultimate guide to planning a trip to Japan
Now you know everything you need for visiting one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions! If you have any other questions about Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, feel free to drop your questions in the comments below!
Want to learn more about visiting Kyoto? We have more guides coming up, as well as several other Japan Travel Guides for you! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you’re able to stay up to date with our most recent articles, and get special discounts on our shop.
Ready to start planning an incredible trip to Kyoto, Japan? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning, so you can skip all the tedious work, and simply enjoy your trip. Take a look at our travel planning packages we have, or simply email us to get started today!
Here are some other guides you’ll love:
