The Bamboo Forest Trail
Kyoto Prefecture · Japan
The bamboo cultivated by the nobles of the Heian era still remains. Walk through and enjoy the beauty of the bamboo forest.
Contents
7 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1The Bamboo Forest Trail
Welcome to one of the most photographed and spiritually resonant locations in all of Japan: the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. As we enter this space, I ask you to do something that might seem counterintuitive in our modern age—put…
Listen in the app2The Botany of the Giant Moso Bamboo
Let us pause here to examine a single stalk of bamboo. To the untrained eye, it looks like wood, but bamboo is actually a member of the grass family, Poaceae. …
Listen in the app3Nonomiya Shrine: The Sanctuary of the Ritual Princesses
Emerging slightly from the densest part of the grove, we find ourselves at Nonomiya Shrine. This modest yet profound site is mentioned in the eleventh-century classic 'The Tale of Genji'. …
Listen in the app4The Turtle Stone and the Power of Wishes
Within the grounds of Nonomiya Shrine, tucked away in a corner, lies a curious artifact known as the 'Okame-ishi' or Turtle Stone. It is a large, smooth rock that, with a bit of imagination, resembles the shell of a turtle. …
Listen in the app5The Rhythmic Trots: Rickshaws and Forest Labor
As you continue along the trail, you will likely need to step aside for the passing rickshaws. The sound of the runners' feet on the packed earth is as much a part of the forest's rhythm as the wind in the leaves. …
Listen in the app6The Bamboo Artistry and Local Craft Shops
Near the edges of the forest trail, you will find several small boutiques specializing in 'take-zaiku', or bamboo lacquerware and crafts. This is where the physical reality of the forest is transformed into art. …
Listen in the app7Closing
As we reach the end of our journey through the Bamboo Forest Trail, take a final look back at the towering canopy. The light is constantly shifting here; what was emerald five minutes ago might be deep shadow now. …
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What is The Bamboo Forest Trail?
The Bamboo Forest Trail is a place in Kyoto Prefecture · Japan with 7 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kyoto Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 7 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0168, 135.6715 |
| Last updated |
