How do I get to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?
From Kyoto Station, ride the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama and walk about 13 minutes.
Fares and times last checked on 8 November 2026.
Which station is the walk shortest from?
| Station | Walk | Which way |
|---|---|---|
| Randen Arashiyama | About 10 min | North-west, past Tenryu-ji |
| JR Saga-Arashiyama | About 13 min | West, to Nonomiya Shrine |
| Hankyu Arashiyama | About 21 min | North, over Togetsukyo Bridge |
The three stations are far apart and belong to different railways, so check which one your ticket is for. See them on the map
Which train should I take?
| From | Route | Train | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Station | JR Sagano Line, direct. JR Pass covered | 11 min (Rapid) | ¥240 |
| Kyoto Station | Subway to Uzumasa Tenjingawa, then Randen | About 45 min | ¥510 |
| Kawaramachi | Hankyu, change at Katsura | About 25 min | ¥240 |
| Shijo-Omiya | Randen, direct | 22 to 24 min | ¥250 |
| Osaka-umeda | Hankyu, change at Katsura | About 1 hour | ¥410 |
| Osaka | JR to Kyoto, then Sagano Line. JR Pass covered | About 50 min | ¥960 |
Adult one-way fares. Kyoto's official guide says the JR Sagano Line gets crowded and suggests the subway and Randen as a calmer way. The rest of Arashiyama is covered on Arashiyama Today.
When should I arrive?
Early. The best time page shows the quiet hours for each season, and the forecast shows the next two weeks.
Common questions
- How do I get from Kyoto Station to the bamboo forest?
- Take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama, about 11 minutes by Rapid and ¥240, then walk about 13 minutes.
- Which station is closest to the bamboo forest?
- Randen Arashiyama, about 10 minutes on foot. JR Saga-Arashiyama is about 13 minutes and Hankyu Arashiyama about 21.
- How do I get to the bamboo forest from Osaka?
- Hankyu from Osaka-umeda is cheapest at ¥410, changing at Katsura, then a walk of about 21 minutes. With a JR Pass, take JR to Kyoto and change to the Sagano Line.
- Is the bus a good idea?
- From Kyoto Station, the city's official guide warns that the bus is crowded and slow. The train is the better choice.