Osaka to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
How to Get to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest from Osaka
From Osaka, you can travel to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by train, bus, or taxi, unless you plan to rent a car in Japan.
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
Osaka to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by Train
The train is by far the best option to get from Osaka to Arashiyama if you do not plan to drive. It is fast and convenient.
JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station
With the popular Japan Rail Pass, you can catch a shinkansen (bullet train) from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to Kyoto Station. Departures are frequent during the day, and the journey only takes about 15 minutes.
From Kyoto Station, catch the JR Sagano / San-in Main Line to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. Trains leave every 15 minutes or so, and the ride is about 16 minutes. If you take a rapid train, it’s only 12 minutes.
From the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is about a 12-minute walk.
>>> Buy your Japan Rail Pass online now!
JR Osaka-Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station
There are trains other than bullet trains you can take from Osaka to Kyoto.
If you happen to be near Osaka Station, consider the special rapid trains that depart from Osaka Station and arrive at Kyoto Station in 24 to 29 minutes. These trains are covered by the JR Pass as well.
The Limited Express Thunderbird is another train option between Osaka Station and Kyoto Station, with the journey taking 30 minutes.
🚶♂️ Explore Kyoto’s Must-See Spots Privately! Enjoy a personalized journey with the 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour. Tailor your itinerary to include top attractions with the guidance of a local expert.
Hankyu Main Line / Hankyu Arashiyama Line
Don’t have a JR Pass? A relatively less expensive option is the Hankyu-Kyoto Line. Trains depart from the Osaka-Umeda Station and stop at Katsura Station, where you can catch the branch line to Arashiyama.
The Hankyu Limited Express takes about 40 minutes from Osaka-Umeda to Katsura, and the local Arashiyama ride is about 7 minutes. Get off at the Arashiyama Station and then walk to the grove, about a 15-minute walk.
The train is unquestionably the best way to get around Japan. Click to get your Japan Rail Pass now!
Osaka to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by Bus
There are bus routes between Osaka and Kyoto, but they are relatively slower, so if you want to maximize your sightseeing time on your Japan trip, stick with the train.
In Osaka, you can catch the bus at one of three stops: Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, Universal Studios Japan, or Namba (OCAT).
The fastest bus takes about an hour and 10 minutes without traffic delays.
In Kyoto, you will alight at Kyoto Station. There are several ways to get from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: you can take another bus, or the JR Sagano / San-in Main Line train, or a taxi.
Osaka to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by Taxi
Taking a taxi is the fastest way to get from Osaka to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, but it is also the most expensive option.
The ride takes about 45 minutes without traffic delays. Expect to pay about USD 175.00 (about 27,000 yen).
Book these top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Kyoto experiences!