One of the highlights of my entire trip was undoubtedly Arashiyama in Kyoto. Visiting Arashiyama feels like stepping into a quieter, more contemplative side of Kyoto, where nature and tradition exist in perfect harmony. It is located outside of the city centre, and the easiest way to get there is taking a train from Kyoto.

When you arrive to Arashiyama by train, don’t miss Kimono Forest near the station offering a striking contrast with pillars wrapped in colorful kimono textiles. This exhibition turns a simple stroll into a visual experience that bridges old craftsmanship and contemporary design. Outside the station, the main street is full of restaurants serving delicious Japanese cuisine and traditional shops selling local goods, handcrafts and souvenirs.

Walking around Arashiyama, you will get to the famous Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which has been a landmark in Kyoto for more than four centuries. This wooden bridge with 155 meters spans the Katsura river in front of Arashiyama Mountain. Walk around the river shore for some of the most atmospheric views to the surrounding landscape. You will feel like you are part of a living postcard.

The iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is often the next stop. This is one of Kyoto’s top sites due to its towering stalks of bamboo rising endlessly towards the sky. This bamboo forest has long been intertwined with the cultural landscape of the area, which flourished more than one thousand years ago as a retreat for aristocrats. I recommend going there early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

For a similar experience of walking in a bamboo forest without the crowds, let me tell you one of Kyoto’s best kept secrets. Built around the 8th century, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is surrounded by its own bamboo grove, and it offers a deeply moving atmosphere with approximately 8 thousand stone statues dedicated to forgotten souls. When I visited it in the afternoon, there was almost no one there.