Saga Arashiyama Station to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

If you travel to Arashiyama on the JR Line, you will arrive at the Saga Arashiyama Station in Arashiyama. The JR Line is the line you will use if you want to make use of your JR Pass.

From Saga Arashiyama Station, you can walk to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, either directly (see map) or via Tenryuji-Temple (see map).

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If you walk directly from the station to the bamboo grove, it should take you about 15 minutes.

Via the north entrance of Tenryu-ji, the walk is about 18 minutes, plus you get to see the Sagen Pond Garden at Tenryu-ji and visit the temple buildings if you wish.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan — Walking through the bamboo grove in Arashiyama

If you have mobility issues, or you have young kids in tow, you may wish to take a rickshaw through the grove. You will find rickshaws at Saga Arashiyama Station, or you can book a tour in advance.

You can also rent bikes near Saga Arashiyama Station if after the bamboo grove you want to explore other spots in Arashiyama such as the Iwatayama Monkey Park or Togetsu-kyo Bridge.

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

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

🦌 Visit Nara’s Historic Sites and Friendly Deer! Explore beyond Kyoto with the World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience. This full-day tour includes visits to Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and a matcha tea experience in Uji.

Opt for a rickshaw tour, walking tour, or bike tour if you want to make efficient use of your time in Arashiyama. Tours usually depart from outside the Saga Arashiyama Station.

There is also a local bus that you can take from Saga Arashiyama Station to the bamboo grove, if you do not want to walk. Buses depart every seven minutes, so you do not have to wait long.

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!