On the outskirts of Kyoto lies the beautiful district of Arashiyama, most famous for its bamboo forest.  The area is located beside the Arashiyama Mountains (storm mountains).  A nationally designated Historic Site, Arashiyama is a must see during your time in Kyoto.

Arashiyama is most famous for its bamboo grove which is easily accessible using your Kyoto City bus pass.  Walking down the path among what feels like infinite bamboo plants is an incredibly peaceful experience that’s nearly impossible to capture in a photograph.  You’ll just have to go see it yourself.

Besides the bamboo forest, there are several other places worth visiting within Arashiyama.  If you’re already planning to see the bamboo forest, Tenryui-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located right beside it.  Founded in 1339, Tenryu-ji is the head temple for the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism.  The temple itself is set beside the bamboo forest with views of the mountain range in the distance.

Another popular place to visit is Iwatayama Monkey Park.  Over 100 macaque monkeys live in this reservation atop Mt. Arashiyama.  The monkeys are wild but visitors are able to feed them with food purchased at the park.  Because the monkeys are wild, visitors are the ones protected by the fence making it for a safe experience for both the monkeys and visitors.  The closest station to the monkey park is Arashiyama station but those with JR passes will stop at the JR Saga Arashiyama station which is a bit further from the park.  The park is also accessible by taking the Kyoto City Bus to Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae.  The park closes at 5 pm during most parts of the year so be sure to plan to visit on the earlier side.

The area in general is a beautiful place to go if you’re interested in getting out of the city of Kyoto and seeing more of its natural beauty.

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Written by Carly Susman (www.carly-rose.com)
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