Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest free, and when is it open?
It is free and open 24 hours, because the bamboo path is a public road.
Last checked on 8 November 2026.
The main path is about 400 metres long. It starts near Nonomiya Shrine, passes the north gate of Tenryu-ji and ends at Okochi Sanso. Because it is a road, you can walk it early in the morning, before the paid sites nearby open. That is also when it is least crowded.
Is there a second bamboo path with opening hours?
Yes. Kyoto City also opens a separate bamboo walking path on city land, running north from Nonomiya Shrine. It is wider than the main path, rickshaws use it, and it is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The city says it can close without notice.
Which places next to the bamboo charge for entry?
| Place | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tenryu-ji garden | 8:30 am to 5 pm, last entry 4:50 pm | ¥500 from high school age, ¥300 for elementary and junior high school children, free for younger children |
| Okochi Sanso Garden | 9 am to 5 pm, last entry 4:30 pm | ¥1,000 for adults and high school or university students, ¥500 for elementary and junior high school children |
| Adashino Nenbutsu-ji | Opens 9 am, last entry 4:30 pm (3:30 pm in December, January and February) | ¥500 for adults, ¥400 for junior and senior high school students |
Tenryu-ji has a ticket office at its north gate, on the bamboo path, with the same hours as the main garden entrance. From 14 to 30 November 2026 the garden opens early, at 7:30 am, but only through the main garden entrance. The north gate keeps its usual hours.
Can you walk the bamboo path at night?
The road never closes, but we have not been able to confirm whether it is lit at night outside special events, so we do not suggest it as an evening walk.
In 2026 the Arashiyama Tsukitouro light-up ran from 30 September to 8 November, from 6 pm to 9 pm. We will add the 2027 dates once they are announced.
What are the rules for photos and drones?
- Personal photos are fine. Commercial shoots on the city's walking path need approval from Kyoto City, and for the main path the city points film crews to a road-use permit from the local police.
- Flying drones is banned in most of Kyoto City.
- Do not write on or carve the bamboo. About 350 stalks were found damaged in 2025, and the city cut down around 20 of them in November 2025.
Common questions
- Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest free?
- Yes. The bamboo path is a public road, so it is free and open 24 hours. You only pay if you go into a temple or garden beside it.
- Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest open 24 hours?
- Yes. It is a public road, so you can walk it at any time of day or night. We have not confirmed that it is lit after dark outside special events, so bring a light if you go at night.
- What time does the bamboo forest close?
- The main path never closes. The separate bamboo walking path on city land closes at 5 pm, and so does the Tenryu-ji garden.
- Do I need a Tenryu-ji ticket to see the bamboo?
- No. The bamboo path runs past Tenryu-ji's north gate, but it is outside the temple. The ticket is only for the temple garden.
Where do these facts come from?
- Kyoto City: the bamboo path and walking path (in Japanese)
- Highlighting Japan, August 2022
- Tenryu-ji: visiting
- Kyoto Prefecture tourism: Okochi Sanso (in Japanese)
- Adashino Nenbutsu-ji (in Japanese)
- Arashiyama Tsukitouro
- Kyoto City Tourism Association: visitor manners
- Kyodo News on the damaged bamboo (in Japanese)
Prices and hours can change. Check with each site before you rely on them, and tell us if something here is out of date.