12 Tips for visiting the Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan

The Bamboo Forest in Kyoto

This week I wish to share with you our trip to the Bamboo Forest, Kyoto. This place was on my bucket list and I was so happy to visit here. We visited in April, on a Monday, in the middle of Cherry Blossom season. It was already very busy by 10am. 

However, there were areas of the Bamboo Forest which were very tranquil and serene in spite of being one of the busiest places in Japan that we visited. The further you walked into the bamboo forest the less crowds there were. The sounds of the tops of the bamboo colliding was very relaxing and it was a very calming place to visit. The air smelt ‘fresh’. All you could hear were the birds, the rustling leaves and the crashing of the tops of the bamboo. We were so glad we visited. It was also close to some other attractions in Arashiyama so it was a great place to make a day of it.

Here are my 5 tips to get the most out of your visit to the Bamboo Grove:

1. How to get there

Get there by Train – its so easy from Kyoto station. Catch the JR Sagano Line to Saga Arashiyama Station. The journey will take less than 20 minutes and if you have a JR pass the train ride is free and the train station is very close to the Bamboo forest.

2. Out of the train station – turn right and keep walking

Follow the people and you will eventually, within 5-10 minutes get to the entrance of the bamboo grove. I can’t say that I thought it was well signed at all– but there are so many people you can literally just follow them (!) as they are all heading there.

The entrance to the Bamboo Forest

This is a bit further into the Bamboo forest

You can hire a Rick-Shaw

3. Don’t go weekends and go as early as possible

We went during the week, on a Monday about 10am. You really need to go earlier in the day as it was unbelievably crowded even at 10am. The first 100 metres I would say was crowded and certainly around the entrance. However, the crowds tapered off the further you go inside the Bamboo forest. I am not entirely sure where they went and suspect many were on bus tours and did a U-turn and headed back to their bus after getting photos.

4. Keep walking the bamboo trail to the end

If you keep walking along the bamboo trail, it will take you past some interesting scenery and eventually loop back to the 400 Togetsu-kyō Bridge (which if you cross the bridge, takes you to the Monkey Park and if you keep walking instead, takes you into central Arashiyama. Keep walking and follow the pathway to the left when you leave the bamboo forest. This will take you past the scenic turquoise river (where you can also hire boats if you have the time to do so).

Picture map of the area - you can kind of do a loop from the bamboo forest to the monkey park

The turquoise Hozu river

An area around Torokko Arashiyama Station has some very dense Bamboo to see. We got some good photos from here – and there were less crowds too. I noticed on the maps there are trellises of Wisteria too near to this Train station (which were not flowering in April whilst we were there), but seeing some of the photos of Wisteria in Japan – may be worth a look if they happen to be flowering whilst you are visiting Japan.

 

There is also a famous coffee shop (% Arabica) alongside the river (near the bridge) if you love your coffee. I do not know what the coffee is like – but it is always commented on social media that there is always a queue for this place. The coffee must be good! Note you cannot sit inside to drink your coffee.

The line for the coffee! %Arabica - consistently gets rave reviews on Tripadvisor

5. We were able to see many sites in one day

We combined the Bamboo forest trip with the Monkey Park and wandering around Arishiyama. This was a very easy day trip to do. We had some time afterwards to look in the shops of Arishiyama and view the Kimono Forest.

6. Take water. There aren’t many stops along the way for snacks and drinks

Make sure you take your own water bottle and snacks to the Bamboo forest – although there are signs food and drink is not to be consumed inside the bamboo forest. When you emerge at the other end there are some really nice parks where you can sit and have your lunch. Also, there is a lack of toilets within the forest. There are however toilets in the train station and in the parklands after the Bamboo forest. This is a nature trail – so come prepared.

This is where we had lunch, once we left the Bamboo Forest. An extremely peaceful setting.

7. There also isn’t much shelter there, so don’t go on a rainy day

If it does happen to rain, there isn’t much shelter within the bamboo forest. There is one temple and a few outdoor market shops about halfway along the bamboo forest. However I have also read reviews on the internet saying that the bamboo forest was even more serene in the rain. Probably because there were less people too. 

A temple within the Bamboo forest

An outdoor market shop, near the temple that is within the Bamboo forest

8. The bamboo forest walk probably takes about 30 minutes

Its not very long! And it depends how often you stop to take photos.

9. Too many people? Take photos ‘upwards’

I was astonished just how many people flocked to this site. Its hard during the middle of the day to get a photo by yourself. One thing you can do is keep walking (the crowds thin out as you go along the path) or take photos ‘upwards’. This worked for us!

Some interesting photos if you just shoot upwards

10. Its hard to get a good photo inside the Bamboo forest

Photos don’t seem to do this place justice at all. It really is more of an experience involving all the senses, rather then a photograph. Its difficult to photograph the ‘mood’ of this place. 

The contrast between the bright sun and the dark forest make for a difficult scenescape to photograph also. If you go earlier in the day or at sunset, you might find less people in your photos - but your photos may be 'darker'. If you go around the middle of the day- you won't be able to escape all the people in your photos.

11. Listen.

As you walk along, further away from the noisy crowds of people, you will actually hear the bamboo crashing together at the tops of the bamboo trees. It does sound really nice.

Did you know that the Ministry of Environment put the Sagano Bamboo Forest on its list of “100 Soundscapes of Japan.”  This lists Japanese everyday noises/sounds that represent Japan.

12. No Tripods!

Something you might not know before you leave home – tripods are not allowed.

Regularly being in nature is good for your health and soul. A stroll in nature decreases your blood pressure and reduces stress. The Japanese have a word for this 'Forest Bathing' or Shinrin-yoku.

Hoping you have enjoyed reading these 12 tips for visiting the Bamboo Forest of Kyoto, Japan!

I would love to hear any comments from you - what are your tips regarding the Bamboo Forest?

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Until next week,

KJ

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