The bamboo forest in the Arashiyama area is one of the most photographed places in all of Japan. The tall, slender bamboos create a narrow path that feels almost surreal - as if you've suddenly left the city and found yourself in a completely different world.

The forest is located just a few dozen metres from Tenryu-ji Temple, and most visitors visit it in one walk around the Arashiyama area.

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Bamboo forest

Is it worth visiting the bamboo forest?

✅ Yes, if:

you want to see one of the most iconic places in Kyoto
you are planning a trip to the Arashiyama area
you come early in the morning or evening

❌ Not likely if:

you hate large crowds of tourists
you expect long walks through deep woods
you prefer cultural monuments and temples

💡 Alternative :

For a quieter atmosphere, try the smaller bamboo grove near Kōdai-ji Temple in the Higashiyama area much closer to the historic centre.

Reality vs. expectations

The main path between the bamboo trees is approximately 1-1.5 km long and runs between Tenryu-ji Temple and the northern part of Arashiyama.

The bamboos here grow up to several tens of metres high and make a characteristic noise when the wind blows, which is considered one of the most pleasant natural sounds in Japan.

It is this narrow path between the bamboos that has become one of the visual symbols of Kyoto.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Admission and opening hours

The Bamboo Forest Trail is open 24/7.

Until 2015, there was an entrance fee to enter the trail, but since this year the bamboo forest is free of charge.

The most common mistakes

1️⃣ Come here around noon
The Bamboo Forest is one of the most visited places in Kyoto and tends to be very crowded during the main part of the day.

2️⃣ Expect a large forest
It's actually a relatively short bamboo alley, not a large forest.

3️⃣ Turn right off the main trail
Beyond the bamboo grove continues a beautiful area of parks and temples that many visitors miss.

Accommodation nearby

The area around the Bamboo Forest is full of tourist attractions and good for accommodation if you are heading here from Osaka or Fukuchiyama City, for example.

We recommend the following hotels:

Hotel Binario Saga Arashiyama **** - Affordable hotel near JR train station
MUNI KYOTO by Onko Chishin ***** - one of the most luxurious hotels in Kyoto with a river view

View hotels in Arashiyama

How to get there

The trail through the bamboo forest starts about 20 meters north of the entrance to Tenryu-ji Temple.

The bamboo forest is located on the very western edge of Kyoto, and it will take about 20-25 minutes to get here from the centre.

JR trains - to Saga-Arashiyama Station (580 metres from the forest)
- JR Pass and JR-WEST Pass valid here / no day passes for subway + bus or Kansai Railway Pass
- Direction Kyoto Station, journey time 19 minutes, frequency 12 minutes, price 240 jpy
- Nijo direction (about 1 km from Nijo Castle), journey time 10 minutes, frequency 12 minutes, price 200 jpy
Randen Tram - to Arashiyama Station (200 meters from the forest)
- JR Pass, JR-WEST Pass, all-day subway + bus passes and Kansai Railway Pass are not valid here
- Flat price 220 jpy
- Tenjingawa direction (transfer to the Red Line subway), Shijo-Omyia
Hankyu trains - to Arashiyama station on the other side of the river (1,200 meters from the forest)
- Kansai Railway Pass valid here, JR Pass, JR-WEST Pass not valid here
- Katsura direction, where you change to another Hankyu train in the direction of Osaka
- Price to Osaka 410 jpy
City buses
- On all lines, a full day metro + bus pass or flat single fare applies 230 jpy
- Line 11 - direction Tenjingawa (red metro line) and Yamagoe-Nakacho (transfer to bus 59 direction Kinkakuji Temple)
- Line 28 - direction Daikakuji Temple, Nishioji Shijo, Shijo-Omiya, Kyoto Station (total journey time to Kyoto Station is about 45 minutes)
- Line 92 - direction Kiyotaki
- Line 93 - direction Nijo Castle, Marutamachi (green subway line towards downtown), Higashi Tennocho
- Line 94 - direction Daikakuji Temple, Kiyotaki