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Fun in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Quirky Ways to Enjoy Kyoto's Iconic Area

Fun in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Quirky Ways to Enjoy Kyoto's Iconic Area

Last updated: 16 October 2023

If you're looking for a serene and picturesque escape from the bustling city of Kyoto, then the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest should be at the top of your must-visit list. This enchanting place is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto, and it's easy to see why.

We'll provide you with a comprehensive guide to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, including everything you need to know, such as how to get there, what to see and do, and the best time to visit.

Table of Contents
  1. Getting to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  2. Fun Things to Do in Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest
  3. Walking around Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest
  4. There are also a variety of Arashiyama tours you can try!

Getting to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Entrance to the Bamboo Forest
Entrance to the Bamboo Forest

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.

Getting to Arashiyama Station/JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
  • From the Hankyu Omiya Station or Karasuma Station Area: Take the Randen Line from its first stop, Shijo-Omiya Station, to last stop Arashiyama Station (approx. 24 min, 250 yen, one-way)
  • From JR Kyoto Station: Ride the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 16 min, 240 yen, one-way)
  • From JR Osaka Station: Take the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station; transfer to JR Sagano Line bound for Kameoka and ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 1 hr 16 min, 990 yen, one-way)
  • From JR Kansai Airport Station: Ride the JR Kansai Rapid Service to Osaka Station; transfer to JR Tokaido Line New Rapid Train and ride to Kyoto Station; transfer again to JR Sagano Line and ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 2 hr 22 min, 2200 yen, one-way)

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.

Fun Things to Do in Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest

Join a rickshaw tour

Join a rickshaw tour

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.

Arashiyama Rakan - Statues of the Disciples of Buddha
Arashiyama Rakan - Statues of the Disciples of Buddha
Popular cafe 'Bread, Espresso, and Arashiyama Garden'
Popular cafe 'Bread, Espresso, and Arashiyama Garden'

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!

  • EBISUYA
    EBISUYA
    • Address 3-24 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385 (Ebisuya Rickshaw Office)
    • Phone Number 075-864-4444
    • ・ Hours: 9:30 AM until sunset
      ・ Open Daily
      ・ Prices:
      - One area (12-13 min): 4,000 yen for 1 person; 5,000 yen for 2 people; 9,000 yen for 3 people
      - 30 min tour: 9,000 yen for 1 person; 10,000 yen for 2 people; 19,000 yen for 3 people
      - 45 min, 60 min & 70 min tours also available

Rent a kimono and enjoy a photogenic stroll in the Bamboo Forest

Rent a kimono and enjoy a photogenic stroll in the Bamboo Forest

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.

Walking around Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest

Walking around Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest

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 October 2023.)

There are also a variety of Arashiyama tours you can try!

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

Written by:

WESTPLAN

WESTPLAN

Kiko Matsuda, Keiko Kimura, Risa Tsuji, and a team of female writers familiar with Kansai. We love eating, drinking and traveling! We share fun information based on our experiences.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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