Located about 7km west of downtown Kyoto, Arashiyama is one of Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing districts.The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Japan’s most incredible sights.The thick green bamboo stalks seem to continue endlessly in every direction and there’s a strange quality to the light at this famous bamboo grove, which has become one of Kyoto’s must-visit sights.
Beautiful but often crowded
It’s most atmospheric on the approach to Ōkōchi Sansō villa and you’ll be unable to resist trying to take a few photos, but you might be disappointed with the results: photos just can’t capture the magic of the place.
The grove runs from outside the north gate of Tenryū-ji to just below Ōkōchi Sansō, on the western edge of Kyoto. The Arashiyama bamboo grove is open 24/7 and admission is free. Visit early in the morning or on a week day to avoid crowds.
Sometimes it may not seem what you expect :
There are websites that show more realistic depictions of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. And photos posted on travel review sites may be a good way to temper travel expectations.
However, those may not necessarily be accurate either.
Editing can more closely show what the photographer saw in real life, particularly for landscape photography.Anyone who has struggled to take a good shot of a sunset or rainbow knows the camera doesn’t always capture the full extent of nature’s beauty. But Visiting the bamboo forest worths your money.