Looking for the quiet side of Kyoto? Arashiyama and Sagano offer a peaceful escape, where bamboo groves whisper and temples hide in the hills. Get ready to leave the city behind and take a stroll through Kyoto’s magical west.
In the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan, tucked along the base of the Arashiyama Mountains, lies the wonderful district of Arashiyama-Sagano. If you’ve been planning a trip to Japan, chances are you’ve probably seen pictures of the stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This is one of the most photographed sights in Japan, and for a good reason – standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo truly feels like stepping into another world.
The tall bamboo trees create a natural tunnel to walk through, together with a play of lights and shadows that is mesmerizing. A refreshing scent of clean, wet wood and damp earth perfumes the air. The sound of the wind moving through the bamboo is so distinct that it has been voted as one of the “one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan” by the Japanese government.
If you happen to visit Kyoto, you simply must put this place at the top of your bucket list. To help you organize your visit, below is your essential guide to the Sagano Bamboo Forest.
How to get to the Sagano Bamboo Forest
If you’re staying in Kyoto, you can take the JR San-in or Sagano line from Kyoto Central Station to the Saga-Arashiyama Station. The train ride lasts about 20 minutes and is included in the JR Pass. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the Sagano Forest. Alternatively, to avoid walking, you can take a bus that departs from the Sa-Arashiyama Station every 7 minutes.
Opening Hours
The Sagano Bamboo Forest is open every day, 24/7 and admission is completely free. The only real recommendation is that during peak season (Spring & Summer) you should visit the forest very early in the morning if you wish to avoid the crowds.
How big is the Sagano Bamboo Forest?
The pathway of the Sagano Bamboo Forest stretches through about 300 meters (0.18 miles), while the entire groove is approximately 800 meters long and 200 meters wide, covering an area of 16 square kilometers (or 4.000 acres).
What to do around the Sagano Bamboo Groove?
The Sagano Bamboo Forest lies right next to the World Heritage site of Tenryu-ji Temple.
The temple was built in 1339 by Takauji Ashikaga, the first Ashikaga shogun, and at its peak ranked as the largest Zen monastery in western Japan. The temple’s exquisite pond garden dates back to the Heian period.
The current layout of the garden was designed by Muso Soseki, one of the most respected Zen monks of the 14th century. Here you will find every distinct feature of a Japanese landscape garden: paths leading to gorgeous views, a brook, ponds with cute carps, waterfront plants, stones, bridges, lanterns, seasonal flowers, and exotic trees. The pond is shaped like the Chinese character 心, “Kokoro” in Japanese, which means “enlightened Heart”.
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