Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or Sagano Bamboo Forest, is a natural forest of bamboo in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. The forest consists mostly of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) and consists of several pathways for tourists and visitors. The sound of the rustling bamboo within this forest has been named one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan” by the Japanese Ministry of Environment.
The Sagano Bamboo Forest is situated northwest of Kyoto in Japan near the Tenryū-ji Temple. It covers an area of 16 square kilometers, in the temperate regions of the world. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is really two separate bamboo groves, both of which are sandwiched between Tenryu-ji Temple grounds and the JR Sagano-Saiin line train tracks. The combined length is about 500 meters, and the grove is about 140 meters wide.
The region experiences unpredictable weather with a rather cool climate and bright sunlight. In this region the summers are short, hot, and mostly cloudy. The winters are very cold, windy, and partly cloudy. It is also wet year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically ranges from 32°F to 89°F. The summers last for approximately 2 months, from June 23 to September 17, with an average daily high temperature above 80°F. The winters last for approximately 3 months, from December 3 to March 18.
The beauty of this emerald bamboo grove captures not only the attention of camera-clutching travelers but also Kyoto’s best artisans who handcraft souvenirs and everyday items from this versatile wood. Various products such as baskets, coasters, and chopstick rests are made from harvested rows of ringed, smooth stems available from a treasure trove of small shops that line Arashiyama’s main street.
There are countless bicycle rental shops within walking distance of Hankyu Arashiyama Station, and if you happen to change your mind mid-stroll, there’s even a rental shop in the forest. The bamboo grove is open 24 hours a day and boasts no admission fee, so it is recommended that during peak season, you visit it early in the morning or at sunset.
According to Wikipedia
