Arashiyama Bamboo Groove, Kyoto
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| The Japanese have a long history with bamboo, in myths and legends, metaphorically linking a man's strength with this plant. Many festivals also include the use of bamboo in various forms. We can see that from bamboo ice cream cups, buildings and fences. However it is not often we get the chance to see bamboo forests in their natural state that grow thick and line the path like they do here at Arashiyama Bamboo Groove. |
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| Strolling though the bamboo forest will cost you nothing. You just have to prepare yourself and your camera to take this wonderful path. One more advice is be early to avoid any crowd at the bamboo forest. My recommend time is to be there before 6.00am. |
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| Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. |
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| The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. "Moon Crossing Bridge") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with dozens of cherry trees is located just adjacent to the bridge. |
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| My experience with my son was waking up at 5.00am and started our walk about 5.30am for 20 minutes from Ryokan Hanaikada. It should take about 15 minutes to reach but when you are with a kid, it is a norm to take a longer time. When I reached there, I was not the first one. There was a Japanese local photographer who took a bike to reach there first. |
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| The journey in the dawn is quite eerie when you will be passing by temples and graveyards. The ambiance is very quiet and the bamboo forest is like whispering to each other. |
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| The bamboo forest is very thick but the bamboo path is less than 1 km. So the possible place to take a photo is very limited especially when the crowd started to roam in. |
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| The most beautiful spot is not at the beginning of the path, but further away past Tenryuji temple entrance, where bamboo groves grow further apart from each other, allowing it to become thick and beautiful. |
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| You can rent a bike or stroll the path to enjoy the beautiful sight of sunlight shining through the bamboo grove, casting soft shadows on the path. Especially when the wind blows through, you can see moving images exuding a tranquil feel. That is the true charm of these forests of the east. |
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| You can also take a rickshaw ride from the young Japanese men and go through the bamboo forest path and around Arashiyama if you want. The price will be around 5000-7000 yen depend on where you want to go. To get to Arashiyama, take the JR train to Saga-Arashiyama station or take the Hankyu Railway to Arashiyama Hankyu Station. There will be signs showing the way to the bamboo forest. In case you don’t see one you can follow the signs for Tenryuji temple and Nonomiya Shrine. That will also get you to the bamboo forest. |
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| I had a great 15 minutes taking photos here before the joggers started to pass by. Later on after that, the tourists started to occupying the path. It was 7.00am when taking photos without any people becomes impossible. |
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| Overall, this is must visit place without a doubt especially it is free. After the trip, I and my son was exhausted because not enough sleep. We missed our station when we are on the way back to Osaka because both of us fall asleep. We were woke up by a nice Japanese lady who was trying to explain to us with her English that we have reached at the final station. I really love the politeness culture that the Japanese has. I will miss Japan so much. |
Ambiance: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Recommended?: 5/5
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