Arashimaya literally means Storm Mountain/ 嵐山, located in the western outskirt of Kyoto. We stayed around Biwako another scenic district which is about 30 km away from Arashimaya. (Half an hour drive by car). If you are driving, always choose to stay outside of the city center, that way you could enjoy a good quality hotel with the same price paid in the city center. Usually, the hotel outskirt offers a more spacious room and better facilities such as free onsen bath.
Star Attractions of Arashimaya – Bamboo Forest
There are few places you could explore in Arashimaya such as Arashimaya Bamboo Grove, Iwatayama Monkey Park, the Moon Crossing Bridge (渡月橋, Togetsukyo), Tenryuji (Zen Buddhism temple) and Daikakuji TempleTenryuji (Zen Buddhism temple). I choose to explore the star attraction of Arashimaya that is the “Bamboo Forest” first as I knew this place is always crowded with people.
Indulge in the Rickshaw Ride
Riding on traditional Japanese rickshaw is one of the most popular activities for tourists in Japan. The puller is dressed in their traditional Japanese outfit and they will explain the history of the places and tell you where to dine and what to eat in this place. They also help to take pictures of you when they reached the best spot for photography. You can experience 30 min, 1 hour or 2-hour ride with them.
You would have a nostalgic cultural experience and feel like you have entered a different time in history. It is most suitable for travelers who are not fit to walk or want to rest your feet or old grandparents.
Renting a kimono
Arashimya is another good location to try Kimono experience beside Kyomizu Dera, Gion and Nara Park. There are a few plans for you to choose from, such as Furisode (the long sleeves kimono, usually wear by a young lady who is still single.) and the short sleeves kimono. Short sleeves kimono usually cost cheaper and it is not made from silk, starting price at around 3000yen (USD 26.80), while the “Furisode kimono” can cost up to 10,000 yen (USD 89.34) above. All plans including free hairdo make up.
Saga-Arashiyama Area Shopping Street
It is the main street of Arashiyama, always crowded with tourists and human rickshaws. The are is full of restaurants, dessert store and souvenirs for Kyoto.
Signboard showing all the attractions in Arashimaya
The Bamboo Forest
The Bamboo Forest is located behind of Tenryuji Temple. You can follow the crowd if you are unsure as this is the star attraction.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon “Lookalike” Scene
This Bamboo Forest became so popular after the movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” filmed in the Bamboo Forest, but not this Bamboo forest. (I thought the film scene was at Arashimaya bamboo forest! LOL). A kind reader alerted me that the actual filmed scene was taken place in Anhui Province China. Thanks, Brian.
Overrated
My honest opinion, there is nothing too special about the bamboo forest here. It is supposed to be a peaceful atmosphere in the Bamboo Forest but the crowd gets so huge that I could hardly to get a picture. Having said that on a sunny day you get sunlight streaming through the bamboo which is quite beautiful to view. Other than that, is just people and bamboo. Nothing else.
See what I mean 🙂 People mountain People Sea
- No entrance fees
- Open 24 hours
Final thoughts:
Arashimaya opens 24 hours so it is best if you could arrive at around 6 or 7 am, that way you could have the whole Bamboo Forest by yourself and experience the calm & peaceful atmosphere here. I arrived pretty at around 10 -11 am but this place is already crowded with lots of tourists.
Honestly, I don’t think the Bamboo Forest is that special at all, overrated. I have seen Bamboo Forest in Korea and China and I think they look prettier than this. Most importantly, fewer crowds!
37 comments
Wow, what a beautiful area! I would love to check this out in person. I never saw the movie, but that bamboo forest is amazing.
Dear Amber,
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie is a hit in the year 2000, an action film showing Chinese martial arts but one part of the scene was taken in Arashimaya Bamboo Forest in Japan.
Wow that looks like a lovely place to visit … I love bamboo forests … I need to watch that movie sounds interesting
Dear Kitty,
If you love martial arts then you will love Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie, plenty of flying and interesting move and action in this film.
I saw the movie and I remember the scene! must be beautiful despite the crowd! now I want to re-see it again!
Dear Patricia,
The crowd is just so huge and it is quite frustrating unless you are here at 6 am.
it looks like a gorgeous area, but i hate traveling with crowds. i tend to opt for the less traveled path. great info though!
Dear Danielle,
Me too, I would prefer places with less crowd so that I could have some peace.
This is the first time that I have seen a bamboo forest. I never knew that the trees were that tall.
Dear Tara,
I guess there aren’t many in the west. Bamboo is so abundant in Asia that we used for building materials & as a food source. (the bamboo shoot is the food for Chinese)
What an absolutely amazing looking place to go and explore! Those bamboo forest look incredible, I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.
Dear Sarah,
The bamboo is lovely but it get so crowded so please be warned.
It looks great for those who loves nature. Even I don’t like very crowded places
Dear Megha,
I still prefer nature with fewer crowds.
I love bamboo forests. But, yes it is disturbing if there are disturbing crowd around. I like the areas which give us the feeling of going back to history.
Thank you for an honest review. I have grown up in the Northeast of India which has its share of Bamboo Forests which also are more prettier than this I think or I could just be biased 🙂
Dear Nabnita,
Thanks for your comment. I would love to visit the Bamboo Forest in the Northeast of India too. Been to India many years ago and it is such a beautiful country which are full of great historical sites and palaces.
I never saw the movie, but the forest looks amazing. It’s sad when there are too many people for you to enjoy the nature, but at least you could bread the fresh air and see how the light is hitting the bamboo trees and the beautiful shadows it creates.
Dear Cristina,
You are so right. Despite the crowd, I was managed to capture the lights hitting the bamboo trees and the beautiful shadows it creates. Truly beautiful and that’s the most important thing to see if you are in Arashimaya Bamboo Forest.
Awww ,,, but still I want to visit this one. That’s okay if it’s overrated. It’s beautiful. 😀
Dear Sigrid,
Thanks for your kind comment. Nearby there are still many attractions beside the Bamboo Forest, there are also the monkey park and the Tenryuji Temple which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What a beautiful area. I would love to visit one day.
I saw the movie and loved it! The area looks beautiful but with so many people going there, it takes away from that beauty unfortunately.
Dear Alisha,
Crouching Tiger is absolutely an action movie; one of its fight scenes was filmed in the Bamboo Forest Arashimaya, hopping from the top of bamboo to another, like a grasshopper. LOL.
When I travel to anywhere outside of the country, I always go for a hotel outside of the center. It’s cheaper and you get to experience less of the tourism but more of the authenticity.
Dear Alexandra,
I agree, that is another way to save. If you have driving a rental car, there is no need to squeeze in the city center, the hotel in city center is so small and expensive.
Wow, this place looks stunning! Somewhere I could see myself visiting.
I hate such tourist places where the crowd is huge. As you mentioned the best time is 7 am looks like too early for me. And I hate overrated places.
Wow this place looks amazing. I would love to visit one day. More so because I watched that movie twice.
This looks amazing but I see what you mean about it being overrated and packed with people. It would be better with no people.
I love your pics . They are so awesome. This place looks amazing and looks like a great place to visit. I have never heard of the movie, but I will look for it.
I love this honest review. I will take into account everything you mentioned, in case I ever travel in this area. Also great tip to arrive early. I HATE crowds!!
Love your honest review!
Wow..I had never see such a big bamboo forest. Looks like a beautiful and lovely place to have a family trip.
That place looks gorgeous, but the sight of that crowd gave me instant claustrophobia! I couldn’t handle being in the middle of that throng!
According to other sources online, the scene from Crouching Tiger was filmed in a bamboo forest in Anhui province in China.
Dear Brian,
Thanks for your correction. I think Anhui province made more sense as Arashimaya Bamboo Forest looks pretty small. I just checked the Chinese source, you are right. It is in Anhui province. Appreciate for your kind notice. I need to amend my title now.