Serene Bamboo Pathway in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
A serene pathway winds through towering bamboo stalks in the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove of Kyoto, Japan.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Sagano, better known as Arashiyama, is a vast area in Ukyo-ku district, northwest of Kyoto city, encircled by Mounts Ogura and Atago and the Katsura river.

The masses of tourists drawn to this site can visit the iconic Togetsukyō (Bridge to the Moon), explore the many temples and shrines, and stroll through the bamboo grove.

The general belief is that bamboo first arrived in Japan in 801 CE, brought back from Tang dynasty China by a Buddhist priest (another hypothesis is that it was introduced by Zen master Dogen in the Kamakura shogunate, 1192–1333).

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

During the Heian period from 794 to 1185, Emperor Saga planned a mountain villa for his retirement: Saigai (forerunner of Daikakuji temple). The Sagano area was then a hunting and recreation ground for emperors and imperial princes. We don’t know the precise reasons behind the development of bamboo. Some hypothesize that the wood was widely used for construction materials (especially for gardens) so bamboo was planted as a local supply of raw materials.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Bamboo groves and plantations were characteristic of the Sagano landscape until the early Showa period (1926–1989), but rapid post-war urbanization completely transformed the area. Legend has it that the writer Junichiro Tanizaki was infuriated when a bamboo grove was felled near the Nonomiya shrine. Opposition movements grew to protect the wilderness and various areas of Sagano were listed as Traditional Buildings Preservation Districts.

So the “Chikurin-no-michi” 竹林の道 (“bamboo path”) has been preserved, to the delight of modern-day tourists. The path stretches for about 500 metres between Okochi Sanso, Tenryuji Temple (a World Heritage site) and Nonomiya shrine. This lesser-known ancestral Shinto shrine used to welcome young girls from the imperial family who came to purify themselves before entering into service at Ise Jingu shrine. The shrine, as noted in the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji, is still popular with young girls who come to pray for success in love.

Every year in December, Arashiyama organizes the Hanatouro “path of flowers and light” festival, which illuminates the surroundings of Togetsukyō and the bamboo grove. The twinkling lanterns installed along the route lend a magical atmosphere so different to daytime.

Sagano Bamboo Grove is not just a visual experience. You should also listen to its music (along with Rakusei, another bamboo grove in Kyoto) among the places selected to be preserved by the Ministry of Environment as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

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Jordy Meow
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I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Scarlet bridge stands bold, Embraced by nature's colors— Water whispers by. ---赤い橋、 自然の色に抱かれて、 水がささやく。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #redbridge #seasonchange #naturelovers #tranquility #autumnineyes #hiddenbeauty
Yellow dots embrace, Blue sea whispers to calm hills— Art in nature's hug.  黄色の点、 青い海が囁く— 自然に抱かれた芸術。#YayoiKusama #Naoshima #SetoInlandSea #ContemporaryArt #ArtInNature #offbeatjapan #japan
Under starry sky, Western gates glow deep green-blue— Time's whispers linger.スターリーな夜空の下で、 西洋の門は深い緑青に輝く— 時のささやきが残る。#offbeatjapan #japan #eeriebeauty #abandonedplaces #nightphotography #forgottenhistory #urbanexploration #mysteriousjapan
Plowed field, mountains; Silent peaks watch over homes, Winter whispers close.---耕された野、山々; 静かなる峰が家々を見守る、 冬のささやき近し。---#naturejapan #ruraljapan #japanesealps #landscapephotography #serenjapan #offbeatjapan #japan
Pale petals whisper, In spring's gentle, rainy breath, Umbrella blooms fade.淡い花びら 春の穏やかな雨 傘と共に散る #sakura #cherryblossom #offbeatjapan #japan #springrain #tranquilbeauty #urbannature #ephemeralbeauty
Whispering petals, Mirror the fleeting twilight, Sakura dreams bloom. ---囁く花びら、 儚い黄昏映す、 咲く桜の夢。 ---#sakura #japanphoto #ethereal #cherryblossoms #tranquility #offbeatjapan #japan
Verdant path of green, Whispers blend with azure sky— Nature's still embrace. 緑の小道、 ささやきが空青と溶ける— 自然の抱擁。 #serenelakeside #ruraljapan #naturehaiku #landscapephotography #quietbeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Emerald steps rise, under boundless blue whispers— nature's gentle climb. エメラルドの階段が、広がる青のささやきの下で— 自然のやさしい登り。 #NaturePath #JapaneseForest #EmeraldTrail #SpiritualRetreat #MtTakao #OffbeatJapan #Japan