Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.5 miles]
The towering stalks and soft light of Arashiyama’s much-photographed bamboo grove make this iconic Kyoto sight an almost otherworldly experience.
Best for ages: 4+ | £3
Best places to stay:
A contemporary, resort-like riff on the traditional ryokan, this uber-luxe retreat in a tranquil corner of the bustling Arashiyama district is one of those places you stay when you want your accommodation to be much more than a sightseeing base.
A stay here is experiential, from the short boat trip upriver from Arashiyama for check-in to cultural activities like incense appreciation and capping an evening with an artistically presented kaiseki-ryori dinner.
The spacious guestrooms are something to savour – a sleek blend of modern and traditional Japanese luxury. If there’s a drawback, it’s location. Arashiyama is great to explore for a couple of days, but then it’s a bit of a drag getting to other parts of Kyoto.
It’s best to splurge here for a night or two, then relocate.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.5 miles]
The towering stalks and soft light of Arashiyama’s much-photographed bamboo grove make this iconic Kyoto sight an almost otherworldly experience.
Best for ages: 4+ | £3
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[6.3 miles]
The stunning, gilded temple of Kinkakuji, casting its golden reflection onto an islet-studded pond, is the iconic Kyoto image. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[9.9 miles]
Kyoto’s historic Gion quarter is the place to see Japan’s mysterious and enigmatic geisha. Dressed in colourful kimonos, complimented by elaborate hairstyles and oshiroi make-up, they’ve been entertaining Japan’s wealthy and well-connected for centuries.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[11.1 miles]
One of Japan’s most sacred shrines, Fushimi Inari’s thousands of torii gateways also make it one of the country’s most Instagrammable sights.
Best for ages: 6+ | £2
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[3.1 miles]
A Buddhist Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its unusual, atmospheric moss garden that circles a symbolically-shaped golden pond. Just getting in is an experience – you’re given a written sutra to copy it out onto another piece of paper to ensure you are pure enough to enter!
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[9 miles]
Stretching along five shop-lined blocks, Kyoto’s oldest food market immerses visitors in Kyoto’s culinary heritage. Over 100 stalls and restaurants offer all and anything food related.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[9.9 miles]
Established in 1202, this temple at the southern end of Hanami-koji has traditional Zen gardens and incredible ceiling murals of dragons (added in 2002). It claims to be the oldest temple in Kyoto.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[10.3 miles]
The shrine that protects the Gion geisha district is one of Kyoto’s most distinctive sights. Entered through a roofed gateway painted a vivid vermillion, its grounds include a striking dance stage—used for performances during festivals—that’s adorned with several hundred lanterns lit each evening.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Kansai, Japan
Ancient temples and shrines, sublime cuisine, manicured gardens, colourful geishas and living history in spades – Kyoto is traditional Japan at its best.