Arashiyama Bamboo Light-Up

Before you go

Officially called Arashiyama Tsukitouro. The bamboo grove path that draws daytime crowds becomes a lantern-lit walking trail at night: lanterns of various designs line the route, and the autumn night breeze, the scent of bamboo and the stillness complete the experience. Many lanterns are handmade by local residents in community workshops, with works by everyone from children to craftspeople.

Getting there

About 10 minutes on foot from JR Sagano Line Saga-Arashiyama Station; about 15 minutes from Hankyu Arashiyama Station; about 10 minutes from Randen Arashiyama Station. The organizer asks visitors to use public transport.

Booking

Same-day tickets ¥1,500, free for children 12 and under; advance online tickets ¥2,000 guarantee entry. The ticket office is inside the bamboo grove path and opens daily at 17:50; cash only. The inaugural edition sold out every day — buy online in advance.

Good for

Anyone wanting an atmospheric Kyoto evening; anyone who has seen the grove by day and wants its other face. It's a walking trail — fine with kids or older visitors, but mind the ground at night.

How it differs

Unlike temple night openings (which light up buildings and gardens), Tsukitouro is a walking experience inside the bamboo grove itself: about 1 km of trail lined with lanterns. Compared with the daytime grove (free but packed), the night route is ticketed and offers an entry-guaranteed ticket type.

The organizer is the Arashiyama Tsukitouro Executive Committee. Kyoto City's official travel guide notes the inaugural edition sold out every day, and it returns this year upgraded. The bamboo lanterns are made by residents in local workshops — a community-participation illumination.