Sagano Bamboo Forest

Pretty place. We came here early morning (around 7:30am) and beat the crowd. There were only a few people in the forest, so we got plenty of good pictures. By the time we left arashiyama after lunch, the whole area got extremely packed. Come early! but most nearby shops open around 10am? 11am?

The bamboo forest is seriously beautiful — as well as a fair bit cooler than being out in the sun! We took a wander through around 1pm and it was really busy but that didn’t bother me too much. There’s people having photo shoots done as well as about a gazillion selfies but just look up into the bamboo and appreciate the beauty.
There’s temples along the way, and overall it’s a nice, easy walk. Maybe no more than 30 minutes from one end to the other and back again. I really loved it and thought it was a lovely area to visit.

SAGANO BAMBOO FOREST
3.5 STARS
This was our sixth stop in Kyoto. We were still trying to get to one more temple before they all closed at 5pm, so we did a very quick walk through. We got to the Sagano Bamboo Forest on Tuesday, April 12^th around 3:45pm.
The entrance of the forest is fenced, so you don’t really see the bamboo very well. I was a little disappointed as I’d seen pictures of people surrounded by bamboo. I felt removed from it. But just keep walking. You’ll find little areas where the bamboo isn’t fenced and you can get a feeling of really being in a bamboo forest.
The forest is free (no entrance fee), so if you’re in Kyoto, I’d definitely suggest going. But after a while, it gets boring just looking at bamboo. I found myself wishing there was a panda to entertain and amuse me.
Pretty forest. The town itself is really cute as well. Definitely worth checking out.

I fell for it. From the photos, I believed.
We’d run the hidden bamboo of the forest; we’d taste the sun-​sweet berries of the earth; we’d roll in all the riches that surround us, and for once never wonder what they’re worth.
There has to be a syndrome for this. Like the Eiffel Tower, or the most photographed barn in the America, or sunset at the beach. Everybody wants to say they’ve been there, done it. But no one’s ever really there.
We have to show the proof of our romanticized moment in a self-​facing camera format. The trick is figuring out how you can take the pic without anyone in the background, sliding alongside the fencing that keeps you a safe distance from the beauty, dodging selfie sticks and strollers, rickshaws and touring cars, brides and their photographers, so you can prove to the world how beautiful and zen and peaceful it was. Leave only footprints; take only selfies.
Perhaps if I could visit in the winter, or get up with the sun at 5am, I’d feel we’re all connected to each other, in a circle, in a hoop that never ends. But as it was, I felt herded like cattle through a very brief, albeit very beautiful, bamboo chute.

The bamboo forest is an amazing place to visit when you’re in Japan. This was one of our top destinations we wanted to go to. It was so beautiful and really cool — an incredibly unique sight to see. It’s a great place for photos as well (do it for the ‘gram). I really wish you could have actually gone innnn to the forest, but unfortunately, it’s a paved path with fencing so you can’t walk into the bamboo (probably for safety).
You don’t need too much time to visit the bamboo forest because it’s just a short stretch that you walk through, and the trip to Arashiyama from the city area is maybe 40 minutes, so I’d definitely say you should take the trip there to visit both the bamboo forest AND the monkey park nearby.
Keep in mind, there are LOTS of people that like to come check this place out, so the path is usually pretty crowded — if you want to get a good picture, come at non-​peak hours but during the day. I’d say maybe in the morning.

It’s free and very pretty, so have to recommend a visit. Unfortunately it was full of people (weekend in Sakura season), and not super long. Lots of birds singing pretty songs, combined with the sound of wind blowing in the leaves was very nice.
very serene, and you can kinda fool yourself into believing you’re in medieval Japan, and a samurai duel is just around the corner.
We started at the tenryuji side. It leads to some famous actor’s house and to the nearby park, which is where we headed next.

This bamboo forest is one of the big reasons that a lot of folks visit Arashiyama. While I originally thought that the bamboo forest must be old because the bamboo is SO TALL, I overheard a tour guide saying that these bamboo actually grow ridiculously fast and they have to chop it down every 3 – 4 months. Anyways, it is rather nice and peaceful walking through the bamboo forest. They have the path paved really well so it’s easy to walk around.

The bamboo trees themselves were a sight to behold. I felt like an ant crawling around a large pot of bamboo that you buy at a Chinese flower shop.
Sadly, this little ant was not alone. It’s very hard to lose yourself in this forest because it’s one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions. There will always be crowds of people surrounding you while in the forest.
We were able to go off the path at one point and lose the crowd. We walked past roads of traditional homes in the surrounding area and even a bamboo factory! It felt surreal to be the only ones in an unfamiliar yet serene setting.

The Sagano Bamboo forest is synonymous with Arashiyama. It’s a pathway running from the main street into the woods. You’ll have to resist the temptation of geishas whistling at you as you make your way to the end of the path for your final samurai showdown. The final boss will be there kneeling down and slowly raise his head as you walk up. As you draw your sword for battle, he screams out «Daniel-​san, never put passion before principle! Live or die, man?!»
Overall, it’s a must see when in Kyoto and one of my fondest memories of Japan. I would have to say Japan easily ranks in my top 3 countries in the world I’ve visited from the food to the culture to the food. Everything in Japan is amazing.

Here’s what you need to know: the bamboo trees are GORGEOUS. The sheer spectacle and symmetry of thousands upon thousands of über tall trees stretching out to sky in uniformity gives you peace and joy.
The grove has a generous paved walking path — where one car can pass but is kind of annoying given the inconvenience they cause all the pedestrians who are walking down in serenity. This isn’t a place for excitement and frenzy, it’s designed to calmly enjoy nature in all its splendor.
We went in mid-​January and it was COLD, so be prepared to bundle up in the winter months, especially if you have kids.
The grove is only a 15 minute walk from the Arashiyama JR train station. A must see if you are in the Kyoto area.
The grove by itself is part of the splendor of this area, which has some of the most gorgeous gardens and temples anywhere in Japan.

I’ve been super excited about visiting this place for the longest time but when we finally got here, it was crowded and full of loud people. I mean really loud!!! It kinda ruins the whole experience. I was expecting a quiet, serene walk along the tall bamboos but nooooooo. A few taxis even went through this tiny road. Is that even allowed!!! Cmon!!! Anyways, we’ll try again next week and go there super early. Maybe less crowds and quieter people…

If you want one of the most tranquil, beautiful, and serene spots you’ll ever see, take a walk through this forrest.
We wandered here on a rainy day and my god, if you think there’s nothing more beautiful than walking through a misty, moody, bamboo forrest, than you are right. Because it was beautiful.
We didn’t stay for long and I’m sure there was more to see than we saw, but we saw bamboo that shot into the sky so high it was hard to see anything but bamboo and that was enough. Also entrance was free, so quality all around. Do not miss it.

We came here in early May 2015, and the bamboo forest was so green and tall… felt as though it was reaching for the sky. This is the first stop once you enter Arashiyama, and you can’t miss it. There’s just one path, with bamboo to your left and to your right. Amazing sight to see, and so glad we came!
Can get very crowded, walk at your own leisure and avoid the masses to get some great photos.

Eigentlich ist der Wald nicht gar zu groß, aber dennoch etwas sehr spezielles und in eine insgesamt ausgesprochen liebliche Landschaft eingebettet. Zu empfehlen sind auch die Bahnfahrt mit der historischen Bahn, eine Flussfahrt am Hozu, Arashiyama insgesamt. Japanischer geht’s fast kaum!

Un des lieux de Kyoto à faire par temps nuageux, humide ou très chaud.
À travers un chemin sinueux, on s’enfonce à travers la forêt de bamboo. On se sent très petits au milieu de ces perches géantes qui doivent dépasser les 20 mètres!
On arrive dans un autre japon, si il n’y avait pas ces nuées de chinois, on se prendrait presque à être totalement en dehors de la ville dans un autre temps.
Cet endroit est à faire très tôt le matin pour être tranquille et profiter pleinement du calme et de la sérénité du lieu!

We came here on a rainy day in January. (Bring umbrella just in case, most hotels let you borrow umbrellas). You’ll have to take bus or taxi from JR train station.
Entrance is free. The bamboo trees are calming, the path is clean, a good hike for all ages. Worth visiting if you’re around the area, (our main purpose was to see the snow monkeys at Arashiyama which is walking distance from the bamboo forest).

This bamboo forest is in Arashiyama in Kyoto! It was huge bamboo that stretches for miles and throughout the forest there are temples! You can also stop for some cool street art or snacks before entering the forest!
If you love greenery this the the place to be! Lots of tourist so it was really hard to get a picture of a empty bamboo path, but totally worth going. It was also free to get in so why not!

Un lugar bastante espectacular y curioso en esta zona de Arashiyama es el paseo por el bosque de bambú.
Aquí es fácil recordar el cuento popular nipón de Taketori Monogatari (El Cortador de Bambú) y darse cuenta de que esta planta crece que da gusto. La sensación es la de estar en un túnel verde muy poco habitual para el ojo occidental. Como todo en Japón, destaca la belleza de la repetición (Sanjusangendo o el Fushimi Inari, por citar algún ejemplo de objetos repetidos mil veces), aunque esta vez se trate de una obra natural.
Después de la visita a la villa contigua, es muy refrescante pasear por esta especie de jungla, bastante llena de gente, todo sea dicho. Aunque no podía esperar otra cosa en un sábado soleado en Kioto.

I loved this place, the little windy roads leads you to endless bamboo trees and great images for us to view years later. It was one of my favorite stop in Arashiyama. This place is absolutely stunning and definitely worth a stop!

There was some bamboo where we lived in Bethesda, Maryland, but rarely do you see native bamboo, so this is pretty cool to walk through in Kyoto. The bamboo is very sturdy and plentiful. There’s some worship sites. People can go on rides through the park.

The bamboo groves was something we looked forward to. It was gorgeous and breathtaking. Definitely a good area to snap some photos. On either end of the groves, you can also visit other attractions. On the west, you’ll see Okochi Sanso Villa. On the east, you’ll see the north entrance to Tenryuji Temple.

I saw some women in kimono taking a walk on this short-​course bamboo path several times. They went well with this tasteful nostalgic grove. It seems to be dark in a photograph, but entirely not at all. The soft light comes in through the foliages of bamboos soaring to the sky. It is cool and comfortable even if I come in summer. A jinrikisha is sometimes passing through. It is good to walk the short distance of approximately 100m or to get on a jinrikisha. If you choose either of them, you feel taste of Kyoto. But do not forget insects spray because mosquitoes fly in the summertime.
Note: If you are a young lady, avoid walking at night. It is sparse contrary to the day time.

The Bamboo Grove is quite spectacular and did, for us, live up to the many photographs we’ve seen over the years. Can’t say I have ever previously walked among 100 foot tall stalks of bamboo, nor do I expect to again. So I am happy that we visited, and would definitely recommend making this stop during a visit to Arashiyama.
In terms of expectation setting, however, first timers may want to know that the path:
a. Is relatively short — maybe a 15 – 30 minute stroll if I recall correctly — so the grove is not as large or consuming as it may appear in the photos
b. Is very popular with tourists, so you’re unlikely to experience a «lost in the forest» sort of feeling unless you come off-​hours and/​or off-​season