Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Kyoto Prefecture · Japan
WEST SIDE COURSE: A highlight that cannot be missed, this Bamboo Grove is set in the beautiful natural surroundings of Arashiyama.
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Arashiyama Bamboo Forest2:38
Welcome to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, one of the most photographed and spiritually evocative locations in all of Japan. You are currently standing at the threshold of a natural cathedral, where thousands of towering green…
Listen in the app2The Main Path — A Sensory Immersion1:54
As you walk deeper into the main path of the bamboo forest, I want you to focus on your senses. Look up and see how the sunlight is fractured by the millions of small leaves, creating a shifting pattern of shadows on the ground…
Listen in the app3Nonomiya Shrine — The Sanctuary of Ritual Princesses1:57
Tucked away near the northern entrance of the forest is Nonomiya Shrine, a place of immense historical and spiritual significance. While it may appear small and unassuming compared to the grand temples of central Kyoto, its story…
Listen in the app4The Kuroki Torii — Japan's Most Ancient Gate Style1:57
At the entrance of Nonomiya Shrine, you will find a structure that is extremely rare in modern Japan: a Kuroki Torii. Most torii gates you see at Shinto shrines are painted bright vermilion or are made of smooth, treated wood,…
Listen in the app5The Hidden Bamboo Forest Trail — A Respite from the Crowds1:55
For those who find the main path of the bamboo forest too crowded, there is a 'hidden' alternative that many visitors miss. If you backtrack from the main grove about a hundred meters and cross the railway tracks, you will find a…
Listen in the app6The Sagano Railway Crossing — Intersection of Time1:53
As you navigate the forest, you will inevitably come across a set of railway tracks cutting through the grove. This is the Sagano Scenic Railway, also known as the 'Romantic Train.' While the train itself is a popular tourist…
Listen in the app7The Boundary of Tenryu-ji — Zen and the Forest1:48
The bamboo forest does not exist in a vacuum; it is part of a larger spiritual landscape dominated by Tenryu-ji Temple. As you walk along the southern edge of the grove, you are following the boundary of this massive Zen complex,…
Listen in the app8Final Reflections — The Whispering Wind1:46
Our journey through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is coming to an end. As you walk back toward the main street of Arashiyama, take one last look at the towering stalks behind you. …
Listen in the app9Closing1:41
The bamboo forest is the crown jewel of Arashiyama, but it is just the beginning of what this district has to offer. As you emerge from the green shadows, I suggest heading toward the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the 'Moon Crossing…
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What is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a place in Kyoto Prefecture · Japan with 9 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 | 9 |
| Total length | 17 min 29 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0167, 135.6706 |
| Last updated |
