Arashiyama is on the outskirts of Western Kyoto and a beautiful place to visit. I talked about Arashiyama already in my post in Kokedera (Moss Garden) and another popular place to visit, walk through and take photos is the bamboo grove. I recommend going as early as possible, even arriving just before sunrise. I recommend visiting the bamboo forest early not only for the beautiful light, but also to avoid the crowds. If you are visiting just to see the bamboo in Arashiyama, then perhaps you don’t need to go as early, but for photos, getting there early makes a huge difference! We arrived in Arashiyama about 20 minutes before sunrise and besides the occasional local on a walk or run, we were free to take photos without hoards of tourists!
More from this photo tour of Japan is coming soon! Here is the list of the places we visited and photographed in Japan.
- Shiretoko Five Lakes
- Shiretoko Pass
- Utoro Sunsets
- Furepe Waterfall
- Oshinkoshin Waterfall
- Lake Akan
- Lake Mashu
- Lake Onneto
- Sounkyo Onsen
- Kamikawa Angus Farm
- Ginga Waterfall
- Lake Daisetsuko
- Sounkyo Ropeway
- Oobako
- Blue Pond (Aoi Ikke)
- Shirogane Falls
- Moss Garden Temple (Kokedera)
- Bamboo Forrest in Arashiyama – You are here!
- Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
- Nanzenji
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Portrait session with models in kimonos
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