Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Introduction

The grove covers about 16 hectares in the Arashiyama district on the western edge of Kyoto and holds several bamboo species, mostly moso bamboo, which can reach 20 to 30 metres. A paved walkway runs roughly 500 metres from the main entrance near Tenryu-ji Temple through dense stands to a small shrine at the far end. The area has been a celebrated landscape for centuries and appears in Heian-period literature; Arashiyama was a retreat for aristocrats during the Heian period, 794 to 1185. It forms part of a larger scenic area that also includes the Togetsukyo Bridge, the Iwatayama monkey park and several temples. Walking through is free at any hour, while the temples, monkey park and boat rides charge separately. The path is busiest from mid-morning to late afternoon, so come before 8:00 or after 17:00; JR Saga-Arashiyama and the Randen tram are each a five- to ten-minute walk away.