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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Getting around: Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 15-20 minutes), or the Randen (Keifuku) tram to Arashiyama Station; the grove is a short walk from either.
Hours: Open 24 hours as a public path, though it's most atmospheric and least crowded very early morning; free to walk through.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a short path cutting through a dense stand of towering bamboo, with stalks so tall and closely packed they filter the light into a green-tinted glow overhead. It's one of Kyoto's most photographed spots and, as a result, one of the most crowded — visiting right at opening time or early morning is the main way to see it without a wall of people.

The grove itself only takes 10-15 minutes to walk through, but it sits within the wider Arashiyama district alongside Tenryu-ji temple, the Togetsukyo bridge, and numerous smaller temples and shops, making it easy to build a half-day around.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove FAQs

How early should I go to avoid crowds?

Before 8am is best; by mid-morning the path fills with tour groups and gets difficult to photograph without people in frame.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, the bamboo grove path itself is free and open to the public.

How long does it take to walk through?

Only about 10-15 minutes for the grove itself, though most visitors linger for photos.

What else is nearby?

Tenryu-ji temple sits right next to the grove, along with the Togetsukyo bridge and central Arashiyama's shops and restaurants.

How do I get there from central Kyoto?

JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 15-20 minutes) or the Randen tram to Arashiyama Station, both followed by a short walk.

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