7 spots โ sorted by traveller rating
The towering bamboo grove along the Sagano walking path in Arashiyama is one of Japan's most distinctive landscapes โ sunlight filtering through dense columns of bright green bamboo creates a cathedral-like effect best experienced in the early morning before crowds arrive. Continue to Jojakko-ji Temple's moss garden and Okochi Sanso Villa for a complete mountain walk.
The Hozu River gorge through the Arashiyama mountains offers traditional wooden boat rides (hozugawa kudari) through spectacular autumn scenery, and cherry blossom reflections in spring.
The open-sided Sagano Romantic Train runs through the Hozu River gorge between Saga-Torokko and Kameoka โ 25 minutes of spectacular forest and river scenery in an old-fashioned sightseeing train.
A towering bamboo forest on the western outskirts of Kyoto โ the rustling canopy overhead is a designated Sound Landscape of Japan. Visit at dawn for the most atmospheric experience.
Two atmospheric mountain villages north of Kyoto connected by a forest hiking trail over Mt. Kurama โ Kurama Onsen at the trailhead and Kibune's summer kawadoko river-platform dining at the other end.
A 2 km canal-side path lined with cherry trees in the Higashiyama foothills โ at its most beautiful during sakura season when petals drift into the water like pink snow.
A lesser-known 10 km forest trail linking Arashiyama, Matsuo Taisha, and Nishiki through the western hills โ rich in bamboo groves, moss temples, and cedar forest away from tourist crowds.
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