At Night
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at Night
A scene straight out of a Japanese ink painting!
One of the best kept Kyoto travel secrets is how pretty, serene and enchanting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest becomes at night.
If you are in Kyoto for multiple days, and have already seen the beautiful bamboo grove during the day, along with the many picturesque Japanese gardens and shrines, make sure you plan a late evening or night visit.
Or stay back in Arashiyama or do other things nearby and return for a night stroll!
Planning a trip to the famous grove? Visit our Arashiyama Bamboo Forest home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Japan, check out some of the top things to do in Japan, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Best Things to Do in Japan at a Glance
Place Activities & Best Tours
(Reserve early, these sell out fast!)Tokyo Mt Fuji & Hakone, Tokyo highlights, Go-Kart, bar-hopping, sushi-making, local food tour, sumo Kyoto Kyoto highlights, Fushimi Inari hike, local food tour, ramen cooking, samurai, kimono tea ceremony, sake tasting, Nara highlights Osaka Osaka castle, Go Kart, street food, sushi making, Nara highlights, Kyoto highlights
🚌 Explore Kyoto’s Iconic Landmarks in a Day! Join the PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour to visit must-see sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple and more. This comprehensive tour is ideal for travelers with limited time.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is open 24×7, and you will likely see other tourists here at night as well.
The experience is quite surreal with the sea of green lit by moonlight and the soft glow of lanterns, with dancing shadows and whispering rustle of the trees.
If you’d rather visit the bamboo forest at night with a guide, consider this highly-rated ghost tour of Arashiyama!
🌸 Experience Kyoto’s Nightlife and Cuisine! Dive into the local food scene with the Kyoto Night Foodie Tour. This 3-hour evening tour explores the Gion and Pontocho districts, offering a variety of traditional dishes and insights into Kyoto’s culinary culture.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Night Illumination
While the best time to go to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at night is during December’s Hanatouro lantern festival (when the forest is lit with lanterns) or during full moon, you will enjoy this any time of the year.
Bring a torch with you and the best spots to hit are the main bamboo grove trail, Tenryu-ji Temple’s garden, and the Katsura riverbank near the Togetsu-kyo Bridge.
The Nonomiya-jinja shrine is lit up at night as well.
🍵 Immerse Yourself in a Traditional Tea Ceremony! Participate in the Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI. This 1.5-hour session allows you to wear a kimono and experience the art of Japanese tea preparation.
And if you’re coming from the Randen Arashiyama Station, be sure to check out the Kimono Forest.
The pillars are illuminated resulting in a magical glowing forest of textiles.
The train is unquestionably the best way to get around Japan. Click to get your Japan Rail Pass now!
Book these top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Kyoto experiences!