Bamboo Forest Forest

Address: Sagano Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Hours: Open 24 hours (Arashiyama area)

Admission: Free (no formal admission; nearby temples may charge)

The Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, commonly called the Sagano or Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, is a tightly planted stand of tall bamboo in western Kyoto near the Arashiyama district and Tenryu-ji temple. It is one of the city’s most photographed natural scenes and a frequent stop on western Kyoto itineraries.

A paved path runs through the grove for several hundred metres where visitors walk between towering stalks of bamboo that commonly reach 15 to 20 metres in height; the combination of scale and the sound of wind in the culms is a defining feature. Paths link the grove to nearby attractions such as Tenryu-ji and Okochi Sanso, so visits are often combined with temple gardens and viewpoints.

The grove has been managed and maintained as a cultivated landscape adjacent to historic temple grounds; over time it has become a major visitor attraction and is managed to balance access with conservation. Facilities and signposting are oriented to high visitor numbers, and local rules ask for quiet and respect for the planted environment.

Located in the Arashiyama district on the western edge of Kyoto city, the grove is a short walk from Arashiyama station and the Katsura River area, making it easily reachable from central Kyoto by public transport.

• Best time to visit: The grove is busiest mid-morning to afternoon; early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds and for softer light on the tall bamboo.
• Bamboo height: Bamboo culms in the grove commonly reach heights of around 15-20 metres, creating the characteristic towering corridor effect along the path.

What to See#

• Sagano Bamboo Grove (Arashiyama) path: The main paved walkway through the grove in western Kyoto, running roughly north-south and commonly used by visitors to Arashiyama.
• Tenryu-ji temple: Tenryu-ji temple and its gardens lie directly adjacent to the grove and are frequently visited on the same route.
• Okochi Sanso garden: Okochi Sanso and other private gardens and viewpoints slightly uphill from the grove, offering curated gardens and paid-entry viewpoints over the area.

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano (Sanin) Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 15 minutes), then walk 10-15 minutes west toward Tenryu-ji Temple and the bamboo grove. Alternatively, the Randen tram (Keifuku Arashiyama Line) stops near Arashiyama station; it’s a short walk from there.

• Arrive before 7:00am to walk through the grove with dramatically fewer people and softer light for photos.
• Combine the walk with a visit to nearby Tenryu-ji Temple (World Heritage site) to understand the grove's cultural setting.
• Avoid afternoons and golden hour when tour buses and cruise-ship day-trippers concentrate in the area.