Arashiyama, situated in Kyoto, Japan, is a captivating district that seamlessly blends natural beauty with cultural heritage. Renowned for its serene atmosphere, the area is particularly famous for the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This lush bamboo forest creates a surreal landscape, with towering bamboo stalks forming a canopy that filters sunlight, casting a serene green glow.
Arashiyama is a must visit destination for all those planning to visit Kyoto, thanks to the bamboo grove. This bamboo grove is world famous and continues to attract a lot of tourists to check out this place. The Arashiyama district is a tourist hotspot but beyond the crowds, it is so worth checking out. In fact, this is one of the best places to witness an authentic form of Japan, thanks to the bamboo grove and temples. So for those looking for day trip plans in Kyoto, this place has got you covered.
When planning your Japan tours, make sure to include Arashiyama to experience its natural beauty and cultural significance. The best part of this place is many of these places are free and are open round the clock. This district is located in the outskirts of Kyoto and its name loosely translates to “Storm Mountain”. In fact, Arashiyama is declared as a nationally designated historical site by the Japanese government.
Highlights
• Marvel at the tall and lush green bamboo trees in the forest that remain open round the clock.
• Visit the Tenryuji temple and marvel at the architecture, apart from immersing yourself in the spiritual vibes that it offers.
• Play with the monkeys at Arashiyama monkey park and know what it is like to interact with these adorable creatures.
• Head to the moon crossing bridge and marvel at the best of cherry blossom trees while you get yourself clicked.
• Understand the cultural significance of the moon crossing bridge in the local culture while you check it out.
How To Reach
1. By Car: The activity location is 10 km from the city centre, it will take 30 min via Route number 162.
2. By Train/ metro: Take a train to Kokedera Suzumusidera station which is 3.3 kilometres away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 45-minute walk
Best Time To Visit
Arashiyama is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year.
1. The best season to visit Arashiyama will be the summer season from March to June because this is the time when the climate is pleasant.
2. The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year.
3. The best time of the day to visit Arashiyama will be in the morning due to less crowds and a favourable temperature.
Other Essential Information
- Head to the top of the Iwatayama Monkey Park for the best views of the Higashiyama mountains.
- It is recommended you buy a JR pass to get around as you will get free travel in and around Kyoto.
- There are two types of trains in Kyoto, namely the local train and rapid train, so plan your travel plan accordingly.
- Cherry blossom season is definitely worth checking out when in Arashiyama, but it can also attract a lot of crowds.
- To get the best pictures of places without crowds, try getting to the places early in the morning.
Explore the bamboo grove
A visit to Arashiyama is incomplete without checking out the bamboo grove. This is one of the most iconic locations in Arashiyama and has a popularity across the world. This bamboo grove is open round the clock, so you can check out this place at any time of the day. It is up to 600 metres long and passes through the Arashiyama station and the Tenryuji temple. If you are planning to check out this place, so do be prepared for crowds, but it is absolutely worth it.
Visit the Tenryuji temple
This is one of the most famous Buddhist temples and was built in 1339. This temple is a world heritage site declared by the UNESCO for being a cultural and historical landmark. It has an eye-catching pond that continues to attract tourists during all times of the year. Apart from just wandering, tourists can try out experiences like sutra copying and eating traditional Buddhist meals. This temple can get pretty crowded during the weekends, so be prepared for the same.
Check out the Arashiyama monkey park
This is a popular spot in Arashiyama where visitors can see a lot of Japanese macaque monkeys wandering around overlooking Kyoto. This is a family friendly experience so there is nothing to worry about as the monkeys are also not offensive. In fact, they are adorable to meet in person and are sure to melt your heart. Despite being friendly, do be cautious as you are not supposed to feed them. There are certain designated areas where you are supposed to meet them, so stick to those places.
