There are many iconic images of Kyoto, and top of the list has to be the Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama. By now you've heard of how insanely packed this area gets. To have a remote chance at a picture with no tourists around, you would have to arrive at the break of dawn. Here are three other quiet bamboo groves you can see in Kyoto without the crowds. Take your time, slow your pace and admire the scenery. That's what Kyoto is really all about.
1. Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
My favorite of the ones listed here. I walked past throngs of instagrammers, in a northwest direction from Sagano Bamboo Forest, and strolled through the neighborhoods of Meiji period homes towards Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street. Since it was Autumn foliage season, I stopped many times along the way in various scenic temples or breaked for snacks. If you took a direct route it would be about a 25 minute walk.
You'll first come across the base of the steps leading up to the temple, and this entrance alone is breathtaking during the changing of the leaves.
Over 1,200 years old, Adashino is still an active religious site, dedicated to the resting place of souls without families to remember them. They are memorialized by over 8,000 stone statues, and thousands of candles are lit in memorial at the end of Summer.
During my visit, the sprawling bamboo grove was under construction behind some simple gates and so I chose to respect the site and admire from afar. The cover photo is referenced from another traveler's wonderful experience. You can read about it here.
2. Kodai-ji Temple
On a seperate trip to Kyoto, this time in the Summer, I stayed in the South Higashiyama district about a 12 minute walk to a wooded set of steps right off Nene's Path. My Fiancé and I took a quick picture here at the entrance of Kodaji Temple. Without the local photographer's suggestion, I wouldn't have discovered a bamboo grove deep into the temple grounds because Kodaji is right in the middle of two other hugely popular temples: Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine.
Both of the bamboo groves mentioned so far have stairs that wind through the forest, and in my opinion this layout makes for much more interesting photo composition than the busy grove at Sagano. This historical landmark also regularly participates in night illuminations, I would definitely return to experience a temple after sunset.
After walking through the gardens, I stopped at a tiny tea house at the base of the hill right as the summer rain began. It was absolutely mesmerizing to sit quietly and sip on matcha while admiring the view. Trips to Kyoto should always have peaceful moments like these.
3. Takiguchi-dera Temple
Lastly, back in the Arashiyama area is a small temple with a tragic love story. This is the only one on the list I haven't been to personally, and some people say it's underwhelming. I tend to appreciate these quirky places, and to be honest every corner of Kyoto is just breathtaking in the fall. Perhaps without a path through the bamboo grove it feels less grand, but I've heard it's still a mystical place when the sun shines through the canopy just so. I'll let you be the judge.
Looking for other hidden Japan gems? Check out my Tokyo Top 5 post on avoiding the all too famous Fushimi Inari Taisha and where else to see tunnels of Tori Gates.
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