The Bamboo Forest Trail
The Bamboo Forest Trail
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto is home to some of the city's best eccentricities. Kyoto's Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period, where old homes have been transformed into tea houses and eateries. Pleasure boats drift down the riverbank, under wooden bridges that beckon nature lovers to hiking trails and botanical walks. The area's famously tall bamboo groves, monkey park, and impressive vistas during the Hanami cherry blossom viewing season mean that it is busiest in warmer months, though also gorgeous in the fall, when the mountains and hills along the banks turn multi-colored. Historic and engaging, even the rail cars in Western Kyoto seek to exemplify its traditional nature and scenic beauty. Many people, including natives, come to visit the 1,200 rakan statues at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, which is still in use as a religious site.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
156 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
74
Average
21
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Still49
Dunedin, New Zealand742 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We arrived on the train from Kyoto about a 20min trip, but it was getting busy even at 8am, its about a 10min walk from the Arashiyama train station. Lots of people doing selfies, which was a pain, At 9am open one of the Gardens open called Okachi Sanso Villa, Y1000 entry fee, which was less crowded, and had great views of Kyoto . But by the time we came out at 10am the Arashiyama Bamboo Forrest was packed. Which makes it hard to enjoy this beautiful place which should be a Tranquil spot
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damien S
Adelaide, Australia7,445 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
The train is easy to catch from Kyoto main train station. Once you are off the train it is a quick 10-15 min walk and you are there. The main bamboo area is free of charge. There are some nice gardens and temples to look at, these do cost money but are cheap. Toilets everywhere and safe walking trails. There is a less visited lookout at the top of the hill. A lot of people looking to get ‘the money shot’ photo but the foot traffic does move quickly. A must do whilst in Kyoto.
Written January 3, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alohatripper
Honolulu, HI1,743 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We were here five years ago, but it is still fresh and impressive. Day becomes night with the high density and height of the bamboo stalks.
I was wondering where are the bamboo shoots poking through the ground. This place is a bamboo shoot hunter's dream locale.
I was wondering where are the bamboo shoots poking through the ground. This place is a bamboo shoot hunter's dream locale.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deirdre Tampa
903 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This is a peaceful trail that you don't need a guide to take you through. Just watch and listen and enjoy the scenery. You can do a rickshaw if you want, but we just walked it. Signs are well posted, so you can't miss. Goggle maps are nit perfect, but follow the city signs and you can't miss.
Written May 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Habib
Bengaluru, India27 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
This is a short train ride from Kyoto. And is a must do while you are there. Would suggest to keep an entire day to soak in the experience while you are in the BAMBOO FOREST!
One BIG tip.. If you are time is flexible, do the trip over a weekday. The locals say it gets really busy on weekends.
Loved the trail of the forest. While you go deep inside, you can actually hear the noise of the trees when the wind blows. Lots of small cafeterias in the trail, so don't worry about refilling your tummy. Ice cream shops also here :)
There is a round trip train inside the forest. It gets booked much in advance. So you may have to wait before your turn. Best to go there first, make a booking as per the slots, and then time your return to take the train as per your booking time.
After the bamboo forest trail, you can also spend some food time exploring the village. Nice unique shops there.
One BIG tip.. If you are time is flexible, do the trip over a weekday. The locals say it gets really busy on weekends.
Loved the trail of the forest. While you go deep inside, you can actually hear the noise of the trees when the wind blows. Lots of small cafeterias in the trail, so don't worry about refilling your tummy. Ice cream shops also here :)
There is a round trip train inside the forest. It gets booked much in advance. So you may have to wait before your turn. Best to go there first, make a booking as per the slots, and then time your return to take the train as per your booking time.
After the bamboo forest trail, you can also spend some food time exploring the village. Nice unique shops there.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Winnipeg, Canada134 contributions
Mar 2023
This is so much fun to walk around. I felt like I was crouching Tiger hidden Dragon. You just feel at one with the trees. March was a beautiful time of year because everybody was wearing kimonos. All the women were princesses to match the beauty of the bamboo forest. The Riverwalk was beautiful as was the hiking trail to the monks temple. Very steep….careful.
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddickie
Auckland, New Zealand17 contributions
May 2019
The natural beauty of the Bamboo forest was amazing.
Being in the older age group we didn't do the full walk, just the gentle walking of the first section.
We got there early and had the walk pretty much to ourselves. Later when returning to the train station we saw quiet a lot of people heading towards the Bamboo.
Being in the older age group we didn't do the full walk, just the gentle walking of the first section.
We got there early and had the walk pretty much to ourselves. Later when returning to the train station we saw quiet a lot of people heading towards the Bamboo.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie T
37 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Go early!!!!! I cannot stress that enough. My partner and I arrived about 7:45 there were a few people and we managed to enjoy the walk and get decent pictures. At about 10:30 am plus this place is heaving. Even in the morning there were so many people with tripods blocking the paths and shooting videos. Full of Instagram mers and wannabe influencers. This place is very hyped and I am sure there are other places that are just as beautiful and less busy.
Written November 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica
Brisbane, Australia165 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
The forest is magnificent. It is really beautiful. It was hard to get around tourists of which there were many. Both of my kids (9yo &12yo) really enjoyed it. We decided to go for a quick wander around the forest while we were on this side of the town to see the Monkey Park. I highly recommend the monkey park as the walk up the hill (it was a bit of a hike) was impressivly scenic, and views from the lookout were incredible. It was only $7 to enter. The Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which you'll need to cross to get to Monkey Park, is a lovely spot to grab a picture too. There are lots of foodie places along the river, and around Arashiyama Station. The Bamboo Forest is a great add on while in the area. Arashiyama is a lovely area in general, and I recommend checking it out while in Kyoto.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne B
San Diego, CA76 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Incredible bamboo forest.
That area is very nice to visit we entered the bamboo forest by the temple garden, there are less tourist. Nearby is the monkey park. You can walk to it if you are in the area. Don’t hold lines taking picture at the beginning ad you walk along there will be many opportunities for pictures.
That area is very nice to visit we entered the bamboo forest by the temple garden, there are less tourist. Nearby is the monkey park. You can walk to it if you are in the area. Don’t hold lines taking picture at the beginning ad you walk along there will be many opportunities for pictures.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I believe it is always open. We went at 6:00 am since it was not crowded and cool.
Written August 8, 2019
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