Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is very close to Randen Arashiyama Station and JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. From Randen Arashiyama Station, walk in the opposite direction of Togetsukyo Bridge for about 5 minutes. From JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, walk towards the Randen Arashiyama Station for about 15 minutes.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Togetsukyo Bridge make up the central part of Arashiyama. Enjoy a stroll along the 400-meter-long promenade through the tall, lush bamboo trees.

The towering bamboo trees cover the sky, and are green all year round, creating a refreshing yet breathtaking scene that you can see in any season.

The rickshaw is a popular transportation method unique to Japan and great for sightseeing. You can even enjoy a ride around the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in one of these retro carts!

Today we will take a 30-minute rickshaw tour through the bamboo forest. Tours cost 9,000 yen for one person, 10,000 for two, and 19,000 for three (tax included).

Within that time, the driver can either take you around to see the sights or take you to a specific destination. Today we decided to see the quiet backstreets and the path through the Bamboo Forest.

We started our tour from Togetsukyo Bridge, where we met our rickshaw driver or 'shafu'. It was amazing to see how strong and well-trained he was to pull the cart effortlessly!

Our shafu, Mr. Sato, was not only a professional Arashiyama tour guide but also an expert in explaining the areas we passed. "I might not be very good with foreign languages, but I'll try my best to be your guide! We actually have many foreign customers," he said.

Once you enter the back alley, the atmosphere becomes very quiet. Arashiyama may seem lively at first, but there are many peaceful places like this, too.

During the ride, the guide will also introduce you to the many shops and famous attractions in the area. It's exciting to see what other places you can go to after the rickshaw ride is over!

We finally arrive at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest path! The rickshaw path is slightly more narrow than the regular footpath. Here you feel even more engulfed by the bamboo trees. It's as if you have entered a completely different world!

We passed in front of Nonomiya Shrine, located along the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest path. The shrine has a rich and harmonious atmosphere, with its wooden torii gate and the surrounding bamboo.

Enjoy the fun and bumpy ride as the rickshaw passes over the tracks of the Torokko Train!

You can also ask for a wonderful photo of yourself on the rickshaw, with the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as the backdrop. Just ask the shafu!

As the ride continues, you will arrive in a rather simple-looking place with a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Here, only the sky, earth, and trees exist, with no sign of technology in sight. It feels as if you have stepped back in time, into a place from the past, you probably would not have found without the help of a rickshaw.

This area is located right behind Tenryuji Temple. Be sure to check out that attraction as well!

You can make a reservation by phone or online (http://ebisuya.com/en/), or simply approach one of the shafu around Togetsukyo Bridge and Nonomiya Shrine. For an unforgettable sightseeing experience, a rickshaw tour is not to be missed!

If you have time, you may also want to rent a kimono to wear for a stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A kimono is the perfect outfit for the occasion, with a Japanese flair that perfectly matches the scenery. Kimono rental shops are all over Arashiyama, so you should be able to find one rather quickly.

This map shows the entire Arashiyama area.

To see the Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Forest in the center, and any of the shrines and temples nearby, we recommend taking a rickshaw or using a rental cycle for convenience.

There are also many restaurants and souvenir shops along the way, and cafes for a quick break. Take a trip around Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest, and enjoy Kyoto's beautiful natural scenery.

*This article was written based on information available in August 2020 and updated in September 2024. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Make your trip extra memorable by booking one of these recommended tours!