Sagano
4.5
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto is home to some of the city's best eccentricities. Kyoto's Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period, where old homes have been transformed into tea houses and eateries. Pleasure boats drift down the riverbank, under wooden bridges that beckon nature lovers to hiking trails and botanical walks. The area's famously tall bamboo groves, monkey park, and impressive vistas during the Hanami cherry blossom viewing season mean that it is busiest in warmer months, though also gorgeous in the fall, when the mountains and hills along the banks turn multi-colored. Historic and engaging, even the rail cars in Western Kyoto seek to exemplify its traditional nature and scenic beauty. Many people, including natives, come to visit the 1,200 rakan statues at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, which is still in use as a religious site.
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4.5
760 reviews
Excellent
358
Very good
284
Average
96
Poor
17
Terrible
5
RoadzLessTraveled
Sydney, Australia307 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This is an amazing area - with walking tracks surrounded by towering bamboo trees. However, the main problem is actually finding the place. If you type into Google the term “bamboo walk” or “bamboo forest trail” or even “Chikurin-no Komichi” (the actual Japanese name for the location), nothing relevant comes up. As a result, planning public transport to get to this location is much more difficult than it should be.
My suggestion is to type in the local JR train station name - Saga-Arashiyama - and follow the signs from the station when you arrive.
My suggestion is to type in the local JR train station name - Saga-Arashiyama - and follow the signs from the station when you arrive.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada808 contributions
Dec 2019
This is an awe striking Bamboo Forest and had it not been a weekend where hundreds of locals, tourists and rickshaws were criss cross each other along the pathway, it would have been a more wonderful experience. Still a very unique encounter to walk the pathways surrounded by giant bamboos. Always best to arrive early to beat the crowd. A truly memorable day visiting the bamboo forest and nearby temples.
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoGo2SlowGo
Denton, TX1,537 contributions
Apr 2019
We were dropped off by our driver on the main street and he pointed to the left to start us on our journey into the Bamboo Forest. It wasn’t obvious with the exception of the other tourists that were headed in the same direction. We also saw rickshaw drivers taking their guests up the narrow pathway, so we knew we were on the right path.
The Bamboo Forest is one of the most photographed sights in Kyoto. It’s a natural treasure. We walked through the very large grove of bamboo until we came to an intersection. Just ahead was the Nonomiya Shrine. Alternatively, we could go left to the Tenryuji’s temple and the gardens,
The bamboo forest is quite stunning and people generally were talking in reverent tones while they admired the beauty.
The Bamboo Forest is one of the most photographed sights in Kyoto. It’s a natural treasure. We walked through the very large grove of bamboo until we came to an intersection. Just ahead was the Nonomiya Shrine. Alternatively, we could go left to the Tenryuji’s temple and the gardens,
The bamboo forest is quite stunning and people generally were talking in reverent tones while they admired the beauty.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia Cheng
8 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Have been to Kyoto few times.. but this trip was the best .. with the weather and surrounding is calm n beautiful. During my walking around bamboo forest bump into nice 3 Japanese tourist too from Osaka. The guy give me a folded fan for souvenir. We became friends and promise to meet again.. so cool experience. Sagano train is wonderful experience especially sitting in car 5.
Written 21 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YTCHENG
Hong Kong, China15,491 contributions
Nov 2019
To stroll along Sagano with bamboos around would be pleasant and relaxing. We have done this exercise each time when we traveled to Arashiyama. We have a habit of arriving early to take photos from the riverside to the forest and was enjoyable. Do come early. Highly recommended.
Written 10 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dharmathug
New York City, NY287 contributions
Nov 2019
Nice to return and see my old "friend" still there, at the beginning of the walk.
For some reason when I came back here after 14 years, I didn't remember if I had been to this bamboo forest before. I knew I had seen one but remembered it as being somewhere else.
Sure enough, when I got there, I saw Kinji Nakamura set up on the path, as he had been when I was there before. He sells postcards of his paintings, and as usual, there were people looking them over and buying, as his work is really beautiful, delicate and soulful. When I saw him I felt happy and just had to say I'd been there 14 years ago. Kinji was overjoyed that he had a return visitor, and he made a great to do in his limited English (my Japanese is useless) to say how delighted he was and how happy he was to see me. He was smiling ear to ear and so were the people around at this spontaneous exhibition of joy.
I bought some postcards and he kindly and exuberantly added one free as a gift. It was such an unexpected pleasure to see him and I do hope we will meet there once again. I'd actually like to buy one of his originals, which I found out he will sell from some blogs about him, after returning home.
The walk is short, about 1/2 mile each way. Other than the massive crowds that were there in early November, it was as always, a beautiful walk through the massively high bamboo grove. Two graveyards can also be seen along the path as well as the very famous Tenryu-ji temple, which I did not have time to return to this time.
Well worth coming too, even though out of the way from central Kyoto, this escape into the hills around the city, with famous Togetsu-kyo bridge spanning Katsura river right down the street from the train station.
For some reason when I came back here after 14 years, I didn't remember if I had been to this bamboo forest before. I knew I had seen one but remembered it as being somewhere else.
Sure enough, when I got there, I saw Kinji Nakamura set up on the path, as he had been when I was there before. He sells postcards of his paintings, and as usual, there were people looking them over and buying, as his work is really beautiful, delicate and soulful. When I saw him I felt happy and just had to say I'd been there 14 years ago. Kinji was overjoyed that he had a return visitor, and he made a great to do in his limited English (my Japanese is useless) to say how delighted he was and how happy he was to see me. He was smiling ear to ear and so were the people around at this spontaneous exhibition of joy.
I bought some postcards and he kindly and exuberantly added one free as a gift. It was such an unexpected pleasure to see him and I do hope we will meet there once again. I'd actually like to buy one of his originals, which I found out he will sell from some blogs about him, after returning home.
The walk is short, about 1/2 mile each way. Other than the massive crowds that were there in early November, it was as always, a beautiful walk through the massively high bamboo grove. Two graveyards can also be seen along the path as well as the very famous Tenryu-ji temple, which I did not have time to return to this time.
Well worth coming too, even though out of the way from central Kyoto, this escape into the hills around the city, with famous Togetsu-kyo bridge spanning Katsura river right down the street from the train station.
Written 19 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vampyreq
Singapore, Singapore40 contributions
Sept 2019
I'm not sure how I can properly write this review as there's actually 3 areas that are in close proximity that is related to bamboo here, you can easily confirm this on google maps
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Sagano Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Known as Bamboo Forest Street on Tripadvisor)
Sagano bamboo forest is connected with Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, both are lovely in their own right but if you're looking for the location with the iconic picture, it is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest that you're looking for, a short walk away.
But this is about Sagano right? I don't remember much about Sagano just that it was really short. And not really that worth it to specially come to visit. But it is beside the other 2 better locations, so why not right? It offers peaceful greens, and tourists though significantly less than the other two locations. I don't recall seeing rest stops either.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Sagano Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Known as Bamboo Forest Street on Tripadvisor)
Sagano bamboo forest is connected with Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, both are lovely in their own right but if you're looking for the location with the iconic picture, it is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest that you're looking for, a short walk away.
But this is about Sagano right? I don't remember much about Sagano just that it was really short. And not really that worth it to specially come to visit. But it is beside the other 2 better locations, so why not right? It offers peaceful greens, and tourists though significantly less than the other two locations. I don't recall seeing rest stops either.
Written 7 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emma
World434 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
While all tourists stuck in the bamboo area, this back garden was very beautiful. Has some nice hidden statues. Good to walk and relax.
Written 28 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phi Somchai
Bangkok, Thailand3,795 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
A very nice place. You can find small shops here and at the same time scenic places. You see the bamboo forest, temples and shrines.
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExploringNowWithBabe
Chicago, IL316 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
It's a short path of bamboo, which is gorgeous, but it's not a forest with lots of paths like I had imagined. It is possible to do with a stroller, which we did, so that was nice. Depending on how you get to the path you might need to carry your stroller up a few stairs. And as everyone else said, be prepared for crowds, other tourists, field trips, travel groups....a lot of people.
Written 20 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jnaby
Bangkok, Thailand112 contributions
I have checked google map that it takes around 15 minutes to hanamikoji street by walk . Is there anyone walking to there ? Is it very far ?
Are there any restaurants or cafe' around the hotel ?
Rae2128
Glasgow, UK112 contributions
Are there certain opening times/a charge to see the bamboo forest or is it always open?
Stava77
New York City, NY135 contributions
How to you get to bamboo forest from karasuma oike station ?
Robert H
West Palm Beach, FL1,571 contributions
It takes about 15 min fit hiker time. The way is marked. Walk out of the station to main road turn left and keep walking till you can see the railroad crossing and turn left. You walk about 7 min to where you see some stores selling drinks and food turn right and your on your way. Just keep looking for signs.
jgpo625
Danao City, Philippines30 contributions
hi how do you go to arashiyama bamboo groove coming from osaka station, what train do i have to ride to reach arashiyama bamboo groove.
YTCHENG
Hong Kong, China15,491 contributions
Start your trip from Osaka by taking JR train to Kyoto. Then take the local JR train (Sanin line) from Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama station. The train ride from Kyoto will be approximately less than 30 minutes depending on the types of train you take (rapid, normal etc). From Saga Arashiyama train station, there are 3 ways to go to the Bamboo Forest. The first one is to take the Sagano Kamaota train direct to the forest. The train line is for tourists and the station is right next to the Saga Arashiyama JR Station. I only recommend this mode for elderly or those with walking difficulties. The second mode is to hire a bike or to take a richshaw from the train station to the forest while the third one is by walking. The last method is highly recommended as you can walk/experience the atmosphere around through part of Saga town and approach the forest after walking through scenic spots like Tenryuji Temple and the shopping street. The walk is easy and simple and it only take some 15 minutes time if you don't waste your time in photo-taking or shopping as you can do these activities later after visiting the Bamboo Forest. The forest is not too large in size but the bamboo trees are tall and well maintained and kept for viewing by visitors. A few films also take the scenes around while more and more people come here while visiting Kyoto particularly those newly-wedded couples (or those who just want to take wedding photos youngsters) who purposely come here to take their wedding photos. But remember to come here early or else you will encounter lots of visitors, local or foreigners around the whole region. The trip is simple and easy and it will take you half a day touring around Saga region.
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Claim your listingSAGANO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sagano
- Sagano is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Sun - Sat 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
- Sun - Sat 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Sagano:
- (0.46 km) Arashiyama BENKEI
- (0.44 km) Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto
- (0.52 km) Hoshinoya Kyoto
- (0.37 km) Ranzan
- (0.48 km) Ryotei Rangetsu
- Restaurants near Sagano:
- (0.25 km) Shigetsu
- (0.42 km) Pizzeria Lugara
- (0.34 km) Shoraian
- (0.51 km) Sushi Naritaya
- (0.25 km) Kamisharaku
- Attractions near Sagano:
- (0.03 km) The Bamboo Forest Trail
- (0.04 km) Bamboo Forest Street
- (0.18 km) Tenryuji Temple
- (0.22 km) Arashiyama
- (0.24 km) Okochi Sanso Garden