Arashiyama Today

When is the best time to visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove?

Before 7:30 am, any day of the year. The path is Busy from about 9 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays, and from about 8:30 am to 5 pm on weekends.

See today's hour-by-hour forecast

How busy is the Bamboo Grove at each hour?

A typical day with no rain. Peak weekend means a weekend in the autumn leaves or cherry blossom peak.

TimeWeekdayWeekendPeak weekend
6 amQuietQuietQuiet
7 amQuietQuietQuiet
8 amModerateModerateModerate
9 amBusyBusyVery busy
10 amVery busyVery busyVery busy
11 amVery busyVery busyVery busy
12 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
1 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
2 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
3 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
4 pmBusyBusyVery busy
5 pmModerateModerateBusy
6 pmModerateModerateModerate
7 pmQuietQuietQuiet
8 pmQuietQuietQuiet

And the rest of Arashiyama?

Taken together, Togetsukyo Bridge, the main street, Tenryu-ji and the train station fill up about 30 minutes later than the grove.

TimeWeekdayWeekendPeak weekend
6 amQuietQuietQuiet
7 amQuietQuietQuiet
8 amQuietModerateModerate
9 amModerateBusyBusy
10 amBusyVery busyVery busy
11 amVery busyVery busyVery busy
12 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
1 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
2 pmVery busyVery busyVery busy
3 pmBusyVery busyVery busy
4 pmBusyBusyVery busy
5 pmModerateModerateBusy
6 pmModerateModerateModerate
7 pmQuietQuietModerate
8 pmQuietQuietQuiet

Which season is the busiest?

Busy hours at the Bamboo Grove through the year.

SeasonWeekdaysWeekends
Peak seasonNov 10 to Dec 5, Mar 25 to Apr 108:30 am to 5:30 pm8:30 am to 6 pm
Shoulder seasonOct 15 to Nov 9, Mar 15 to Mar 249 am to 5 pm8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Rest of the year9 am to 4:30 pm8:30 am to 5 pm

Japanese public holidays count as weekends. Autumn leaves in Arashiyama

Best time questions

What time does the Bamboo Grove get crowded?

On a typical weekday it turns Busy around 9 am. On weekends and public holidays it is closer to 8:30 am, and in peak season 8:30 am.

Is Arashiyama less busy on weekdays?

Yes. Our estimates are 18% higher on Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Monday to Friday are treated the same.

Is the evening a good time to go?

It is the second-best time. On weekdays the Bamboo Grove calms down from about 4:30 pm, and the path stays open after dark. Most temples close in the late afternoon.

Does rain make Arashiyama quieter?

A little. We lower the estimate by 20% in any hour with rain forecast. Today's forecast includes the weather.

These are estimates from typical daily patterns, weekends, holidays and seasons, not live counts.How the estimates work