A Photographer’s Information to Arashiyama, Japan
Arashiyama is one in every of Kyoto’s most photographed areas, and for a lot of guests, it begins and ends with a brief stroll by means of the Bamboo Grove. It’s an iconic scene, tall inexperienced stalks arching overhead and lightweight filtering by means of the dense forest, nevertheless it’s additionally one of the vital crowded stretches of pavement within the metropolis, if not all of Japan.
I’ve visited Arashiyama twelve instances, sure twelve, Kyoto is one in every of my favorite cities, and every time I anticipate my favorite spots in Arashiyama to be instantly overwhelmed by crowds, however to my shock, they’re nonetheless not, regardless of the Bamboo Grove mere minutes away, seeing hundreds of vacationers packed like sardines alongside the trail.
Each time I’m going to put in writing this information, I hesitate as a result of I don’t need the quieter locations spoiled; nevertheless, I observed on my most up-to-date go to that new cafes and shops are beginning to open up alongside the route I stroll, and it will be good to see them get a bit extra love and foot site visitors. Plus, one of many temples on this information now has a brand new ticket machine, so I’m assuming it’s gaining in recognition already, notably within the peak seasons.
There’ll nonetheless be many individuals who go to Arashiyama to easily {photograph} the bamboo grove and depart, notably tour teams, so this information is for individuals who need to discover past the well-known bamboo grove and see one other aspect of Arashiyama, one which invitations you to decelerate, soak within the tradition, the pure atmosphere, and to breathe deeper.
What typically goes unnoticed is simply how massive and diverse Arashiyama actually is. Past the bamboo path lies a panorama of river valleys, forest trails, and hillside temples, the place the tempo modifications and the photographic alternatives turn out to be much more rewarding.
Should you’re keen to step past the crowds, this western nook of town gives a few of the most lovely and peaceable photographic alternatives in Kyoto.
Let’s discover Arashiyama, past the Bamboo Grove.
ps – there’s a map of all places famous on the finish of the information!
The Actuality of the Bamboo Grove
There’s no denying the Bamboo Grove’s visible enchantment; getting a fantastic shot right here feels so rewarding and could be one of many highlights of visiting Kyoto. The vertical traces, repetitive patterns and shifting mild could be gorgeous when situations are proper. However in actuality, it’s additionally a slender hall that fills rapidly, typically from early morning onward.
For photographers, this will make it one of the vital troublesome locations in Kyoto to seize, particularly in case you prefer to take your time, observe, immerse your self, after which begin taking images. As soon as the crowds arrive, motion is fixed, tripods really feel impractical, and compositions are sometimes restricted to a handful of acquainted angles repeated by different photographers hundreds of instances every day. You possibly can learn a extra in-depth information about Photographing the Bamboo Grove right here.
That doesn’t imply the grove must be prevented altogether, it’s someplace I’d completely remains to be in your must-see checklist, and there are at all times choices for getting inventive and experimenting photographically regardless of the crowds. I’m scripting this simply to help anybody eager on clear(ish) photographs to plan forward and handle expectations. Timing is the whole lot, and so is a sprinkle of creativity. The one time I’d advocate photographing the bamboo grove, in case you’re eager to get a comparatively clear path, is early within the morning, ideally earlier than, at or simply after dawn, when the paths are at their quietest, and the sunshine is tender. It’s nonetheless comparatively empty and evokes that particular feeling that ignites a inventive spark, you’ll need to take extra images of bamboo than you ever have earlier than!
There are additionally instances all year long when it’s illuminated within the night, however many of the 12 months, it’s very darkish in there after the solar units. I’ve tried it earlier than for lengthy exposures; it’s eerie…however fairly enjoyable at night time in case you’re eager!
After a dawn go to within the morning, it’s value shifting on to the encircling hills and viewpoints, notably Arashiyama Park within the Kameyama space, the place early morning mild falls superbly throughout the river and surrounding forests. Getting your photographs contained in the bamboo grove early, opens the day as much as exploring the true great thing about Arashiyama that lies past the favored grove.
Just some minutes’ stroll away, Arashiyama opens into one thing a lot richer.
Arashiyama as a Panorama
Arashiyama sits on the base of a river valley framed by mountains and forested ridges. The Katsura River curves by means of the district, crossed by the Togetsukyo Bridge, with wooded hills rising on each side and a hive of exercise on the water from row boats to cormorant fishing.
This geography offers Arashiyama its actual photographic power. Relying on the season and time of day, you’ll discover reflections on the water, mist drifting by means of the hills, intensely humid situations and even snow sprinkling on forest paths that really feel far faraway from central Kyoto.
Autumn brings vivid color to the riverbanks and hillsides, summer time gives deep greens and funky shade beneath the bushes, and winter reveals a quieter, extra restrained model of the panorama. In spring, tender foliage and recent progress add a mild brightness to the scene.
Fairly than specializing in one well-known walkway, it’s value pondering of Arashiyama as a collection of interconnected environments, river, forest, hills and temples, every providing its personal photographic potentialities.
Under is a picture of the principle road in Arashiyama on a Saturday in November, and it’s one of many causes I’m scripting this information to current some choices for anybody in search of to flee crowds like this. I do know there are a number of journey blogs or social media movies that say, ‘That is the SECRET place to flee crowds’, or ‘Kyoto’s most lovely hidden temple’, however actually, when you begin wandering away from the principle vacationer thoroughfares, you’ll discover your personal spots fairly simply. It applies to Gion, Higashiyama, downtown Kyoto and past. Wander, discover together with your digicam, and see what you discover. The identical rule applies to Arashiyama and this information is just some picture spots that I get pleasure from visiting each time I’m in Kyoto, ones which have at all times offered inspiration and peace when photographing.
Arashiyama Park (Kameyama Space): Views Above the River
Among the best locations to start exploring past the bamboo grove is Arashiyama Park within the Kameyama space. When you’ve photographed the bamboo at dawn, flip left on the finish of the principle path and wander up quick hill right into a community of quiet paths and viewpoints overlooking the Katsura River and surrounding hills.
From right here, you’ll be able to look down in direction of the river bend and throughout to the secluded buildings of Hoshinoya Kyoto, one of the vital photogenic riverside and luxurious lodges within the area. The morning mild right here is gorgeous, I’ve witnessed fog rolling over the colourful autumn leaves, blue skies and mild greens, and extra moody situations too, all bringing their very own photographic magic.
Should you plan on photographing the Bamboo Grove early, I’d advocate packing some breakfast and a espresso to get pleasure from on the viewpoint right here when you {photograph}. Close by espresso retailers don’t open till round 8am, so it’s a pleasant place to pause, observe, and escape the rising crowds of the Bamboo Grove close by. Additionally, within the picture above, notice the trail within the picture, that is the one I like to recommend within the subsequent part, on the southern financial institution of the Katsura River, Daihikaku Senkō-ji Temple can also be seen, nearly hidden amongst the foliage within the hillside.
The park itself is worthy of a wander, notably in late November when the foliage alone can fill your reminiscence card. On the perimeters of the bamboo forest, there are a couple of gaps the place you need to use a zoom lens to seize extra detailed photographs of the greens, stalks, and shadows, simply final November I spent nearly an hour right here having fun with the situations and capturing a few of my favorite bamboo images but.
The Katsura River Pathway
Whereas most guests cross Togetsukyo Bridge when arriving from Arashiyama Station and the Hankyu-Arashiyama Line, or crossing from the north to go to the Monkey Park, the quieter stretches of river on both aspect are much more attention-grabbing for images. The northern aspect which additionally has the Bamboo Grove and a %Arabica Department on the waterfront, can get busy, nevertheless, the southern aspect is one in every of my favorite paths to stroll in all of Kyoto.
Strolling a bit upstream, notably on the southern aspect (the place the Arashiyama Monkey Park is), reveals calm sections of water the place reflections linger, picket boats are moored alongside the banks, and the encircling hills body the scene naturally. In autumn, fallen leaves accumulate alongside the perimeters of the river, whereas in early morning, mist typically hangs low over the floor.
These riverbanks are notably lovely within the early morning and early night, when the sunshine is low and the atmosphere is superbly inspiring. I’ve additionally seen monkeys and raccoons alongside this path because it’s far, far quieter than anyplace else in Arashiyama.
You possibly can comply with the trail to Daihikaku Senkō-ji Temple, there are indicators saying ‘Finest View’, or simply wander so far as the rocky seashore, the place river boats go and supply a fantastic topic to {photograph} alongside the surroundings. There’s no connection on the finish of the trail although, it’s a must to flip round and stroll again to Togetsukyo Bridge to entry the opposite aspect of Arashiyama or get again to central Kyoto on the prepare.
Should you’re opting to remain at Hoshinoya Kyoto, it’s situated on the finish of the trail earlier than it goes upward to the temple. Visitors are transported down the river on a personal boat, it’s a really particular keep in case you’re seeking to deal with your self!
Daihikaku Senkō-ji: A Temple Above the River
On the southern aspect of the river, away from the principle buying streets, a steep staircase climbs by means of the forest to Daihikaku Senkō-ji Temple. That is one in every of Arashiyama’s quietest and most neglected temples, but it gives a few of the best views within the space.
The ascent itself turns into a part of the expertise. Stone steps wind upward by means of dense bushes, with occasional glimpses again towards the river under. On the prime, the temple opens onto a small terrace overlooking the Katsura River and the valley past.
From right here, the angle shifts fully. The bridge and buildings disappear behind the hill and the sounds of the city fade into the background.
It’s a phenomenal place to {photograph} within the late afternoon or morning, when mild filters by means of the bushes and touches the river far under. The temple grounds are often quiet, and the mix of a better vantage level, surrounding forest and previous imagery and books sprawled throughout the inside makes this one in every of Arashiyama’s most atmospheric places.
Please notice that there’s an entry price payable upon arrival.
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Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and Gio-ji: Lanterns, Moss and a Quiet Stroll
Past the principle bamboo path, a superbly quiet strolling route winds by means of the again streets of Arashiyama, linking a number of of the world’s most atmospheric temples. This quick stroll follows slender residential lanes and forest edges, regularly leaving the busiest a part of the district behind.
There’s the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Avenue, courting again to the Meiji period, and right here you’ll discover Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, one of many highlights alongside this route. You possibly can both take a taxi from city, or stroll by means of the again streets relying on how a lot time you’ve gotten, however I’d advocate beginning your journey right here, then wandering slowly again to city (that is after you’ve photographed the Bamboo grove at dawn, and the river banks). Recognized for its nearly 8000 Buddhist statues positioned in reminiscence of those that died with out kin/household or buddies, the temple feels superbly hidden throughout the hillside. A small bamboo hall contained in the temple grounds gives a quieter different to the principle grove, with area to pause and work extra fastidiously with mild and composition. I’d advocate spending a while right here photographing the numerous inexperienced tones of the bamboo, along with the colorful foliage that frames that stone statues.
Whereas it’s positively getting a bit extra recognized that my first go to a few years in the past, there’s nonetheless area to really feel inventive, and in case you’re visiting outdoors the height foliage week in autumn, you’ll discover there’s loads of time to discover the bamboo grove right here with out feeling rushed or pressured to get out of another person’s shot.
Pictures are banned throughout the cemetery of Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, so be conscious and respectful of this if you see the indicators.
A little bit wander down the hill again towards Arashiyama city lies Gio-ji, a small moss temple tucked into the forest. Surrounded by tall bushes and shaded all through a lot of the day, Gio-ji is at its most lovely in late spring and autumn, when recent greens or deep reds unfold throughout the backyard ground. The simplicity of the moss backyard, framed by picket buildings and forest trunks, makes this an exquisite place for intimate compositions and element research.
Gio-ji is one in every of my favorite temples in all of Kyoto. It’s very small, however the foliage right here and vibrant mossy carpet has produced a few of my finest imagery, and I’d encourage anybody visiting to slowly stroll across the path and discover the scene, there’s actually a lot to seize right here!
Between these temples, the stroll itself turns into a part of the expertise. In recent times, small cafés, incense and craft shops have begun to line these residential roads, creating a super space to wander slowly, away from the crowds across the prepare station and foremost road, letting the day unfold naturally by means of a collection of quiet discoveries.
Seasonal contrasts at Gio-ji Temple, Arashiyama
Nison-in Temple: Maple Paths and Hillside Stillness
Persevering with alongside the identical community of quiet again streets, Nison-in is one other temple that rewards photographers keen to wander past Arashiyama’s foremost thoroughfares. Set barely uphill amongst tall maples and cedar bushes, the strategy to the temple is one in every of its most photogenic options, a protracted, gently rising path that turns into a tunnel of color in autumn.
Contained in the grounds, Nison-in gives a mixture of moss gardens, stone lanterns and forest-framed buildings, with refined viewpoints again throughout the valley. In comparison with extra well-known temples, it stays pleasantly uncrowded for a lot of the day, making it a super place to stroll slowly and discover totally different angles with out distraction.
In late October and November, the maple-lined entrance turns into one in every of Arashiyama’s most lovely autumn scenes, particularly in tender morning mild or on overcast days when color and texture take centre stage. It pairs superbly with close by visits to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and Gio-ji, forming a mild strolling circuit by means of a few of the district’s quietest and most atmospheric corners.
There are some stairs that lead additional up the hill behind the principle Nison-in advanced, I’d advocate these in case you’re eager to discover the complete temple because it’s fairly peaceable and provides a higher understanding to the go to. Inside too, you’re capable of take your sneakers off and go to, simply be conscious of any indicators that state pictures aren’t permitted.
Forest Trails and Hillside Paths
Certainly one of Arashiyama’s biggest strengths is the community of forest walks that join temples, viewpoints and river crossings.
Trails lead by means of cedar forests, previous small shrines and alongside ridgelines the place town disappears fully. These paths are notably rewarding in summer time, when the forest supplies shade and humidity softens the sunshine, and in autumn, when color spreads by means of the cover above.
I’ll notice that in late 2025, there was a rise in bear sightings right here, so take precautions and wander with that in thoughts in case you choose to discover the mountain areas behind Arashiyama.
A separate information shall be coming shortly that focuses on the trail between Arashiyama and Jingo-ji Temple alongside the Kiyotaki River. Should you’re visiting earlier than it’s printed, I’d advocate beginning your stroll in Takao, accessible through the Quantity 8 Metropolis Bus from Kyoto.
When to Go to and Mild Situations
Early morning stays the very best time to expertise Arashiyama at its quietest, particularly across the bamboo grove and river walks. As a result of most temples don’t open till 9am, it may be value spending your morning specializing in the pure atmosphere, from the bamboo grove, to the viewpoints and river walks. In the course of the center of the day, I’d advocate choosing the temples like Nison-in or Adashino-Nenbutsuji, then having fun with an extended lunch within the small cafes.
Autumn is among the hottest seasons, with peak color falling round late-November in recent times. Spring brings recent greens and softer tones, whereas summer time gives vivid foliage, plus some intense humidity so be weary in case you’re not nice with warmth, I’d advise visiting within the cooler months. Winter is usually neglected, however could be splendidly calm, notably as a result of the bamboo remains to be inexperienced and also you’re extra prone to expertise fog drifting by means of the mountains. You’re additionally much less prone to come across a bear in case you’re planning on exploring the forest trails in winter!
Sensible Notes for Photographers
- Tripods are usually permitted outdoor however discouraged or prohibited inside temple buildings and complexes. Chances are you’ll discover setting yours up within the bamboo forest is sort of irritating with folks regularly strolling previous.
- Respect images restrictions inside temple interiors and gardens.
- Comfy strolling sneakers are important, lots of the finest places contain staircases and uneven forest paths.
- Carry water in hotter months; humidity could be intense beneath the bushes.
- Should you’re visiting for dawn, only a notice for espresso lovers that almost all cafes in Arashiyama don’t open till 8 am, so go to Household Mart, Lawson or 7-11 to pack a bit espresso in a can to have with you when arriving at 5am.
Exploring Arashiyama as A part of a Wider Route
Arashiyama works superbly as a part of an extended exploration by means of western and northern Kyoto, linking forest trails, riverside paths and hillside temples right into a coherent photographic journey.
You possibly can spend a full day or a number of days exploring, so it’s value deciding what you’re eager to seize and planning accordingly.
Inside The Journey Images Membership, I’ve created an in depth two-day images itinerary that connects Arashiyama with the Kiyotaki River path, Takao’s mountain temples, and the quieter districts of Ohara and northern Kyoto. It consists of strolling routes, transport notes and recommended sequencing throughout each days, designed for photographers who need to discover this aspect of town with a transparent plan.
Should you’re planning a go to to Kyoto and would love entry to the total itinerary, together with our vacation spot guides, images neighborhood and month-to-month journal, you’ll be able to discover extra concerning the Membership right here.
Arashiyama will at all times be recognized for its bamboo grove, however for photographers, its actual magnificence lies within the areas past it, the river bends, the forest staircases, the quiet temples and the hills that body the valley.
Step away from the principle path, and Arashiyama turns into one thing else fully. I’d like to see any photos you seize after studying this information, so please remember to use the hashtags #thetravelphotographyclub or #thewanderinglens and tag @thetravelphotographyclub so I can see your adventures.
Please discover under a hyperlink to a customized Google Map you’re welcome to entry and use to see the Arashiyama Images Areas talked about inside this information.
Howdy! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 19+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise, or that of contributors, on the street. I hope it’s helpful to your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.
