A walk through the iconic giant bamboo tunnel of Sagano; completely free and accessible on foot from the station.
The Sagano bamboo grove, in the Arashiyama district, is one of the most recognisable images of Japan. A narrow trail of about 500 metres crosses a dense grove of giant bamboo whose stalks rise more than 20 metres and create a natural tunnel of filtered light and enveloping sound: the creaking of the bamboo swayed by the wind is recognised by Japan's Ministry of the Environment as one of the hundred sounds of the country worth preserving. The visit is completely free and the grove is open 24 hours. The problem is the overcrowding: from 9:00 the trail becomes a river of tourists. If you want to really enjoy it, arrive at dawn, between 6:30 and 7:30. Sagano train station (Sagano-Sanin line from Kyoto station) or the Torokko-Arashiyama scenic-train station leave you a few minutes' walk away. Combine the visit with Tenryu-ji temple, whose north gate opens directly onto the grove.
