#oiriver

Arashiyama was a place I had wanted to visit on my first tour of Kyoto, but it never materialized. On the northwestern outskirts, it is quite a bit removed from all the other sites that sit at the eastern end of town. However, with my JR pass, it would be easily accessible via the local JR Sagano line.

At the Arashiyama stop, a slight, elderly man with a folder that read, “Volunteer, English,” stood next to the station map. He greeted all the site-seers with a warm smile. In his limited English, he answered the questions he could and provided rough directions by pointing at different locations on the map.

Everyone was there for the same reason—to see the bamboo grove. So I left it to the crowds to guide me. Down an alleyway and across two roads we went. We came up to a bustling Main Street with stands selling small bites and trinkets and empty rickshaws waiting for passengers. Signs clearly indicated that the grove was less than 50m ahead.

To start, the bamboo grove was a bit underwhelming. The trees didn’t feel as tall, the grove not as dense. It didn’t look like the pictures I saw online at all.

However, the further in I walked, things progressed. While groups of people were trying to capture the perfect picture at the start of the path, myself and a handful of people forged ahead. The last 150-200m stretch was the real highlight. All around the trees grew dramatically. It felt like I had been swallowed in a sea of green. And with a smaller crowd, I was able to enjoy my surroundings free of group pictures and competing selfie sticks. I just wish the last part, the best part of the path was longer.

At the end of the bamboo walk, I veered away from the pack. While many turned right, I made a left onto a sand and gravel path. I had no idea where it would take me, but I was curious.