Kyoto, Rain, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Japan Trip Series, Part 3

​On Day 3 of my trip, I visited Kyoto. It rained off and on as I walked from the Saga-Arashiyama Station to the Arashiyama Monkey Park and then on to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. And while some people might be disappointed to get rain on their only day in Kyoto on their first trip to Japan, I was grateful for it.

​Sure, I got a little wet. But the drizzle was a trade I was happy to make. I’d been expecting Arashiyama to be super crowded, and while it was still busy, it never reached that shoulder-to-shoulder intensity I’d been bracing for based on photos and videos online. The rain softened everything: The light, the pace, the mood. It made the crowds feel more like a stream with occasional logjams than a crush. 

It also gave me a very practical reason to buy an umbrella from a Japanese konbini (convenience store). I don’t remember exactly what it cost, but it was cheap. So if you find yourself in Japan without an umbrella, don’t stress. Pop into a konbini and you’ll be covered, literally.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

​The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was a great walk. The bamboo rises in tight ranks on either side of the path, tall and straight, like a living hallway. Even with people passing in both directions, there were plenty of moments where it felt calm. All it took was pausing for a minute, letting a cluster of photo-takers go by, and listening to the soft hush of wind moving through the leaves.

​And yes: There were lots of people taking photos. It’s that kind of place. 

​(I was one of them.)

Autumn Colours On The Way

​Outside the bamboo grove, the scenery kept getting better. Kyoto in autumn has a way of stacking colours. Greens still holding on, then bursts of yellow, orange, and deep red rolling up the hillsides. The rain made everything look more saturated, like the landscape had been lightly polished (another benefit of the rain I was thankful for).

​Along the walks, little details popped too. Stone figures tucked against wet greenery, mossy edges, and quiet corners that felt like they’d been there forever, patiently waiting for you to notice.

The Katsura River

​One of my favourite parts of the day was simply being near the Katsura River. Wide water, misty hills in the background, and that steady, calming movement you can watch for far too long without getting bored. The river and the surrounding mountains made the whole area feel bigger than the individual sights. Arashiyama is less “one attraction” and more a whole mood.

​Next up: The Arashiyama Monkey Park and sky-high views of Kyoto. 

Note: All photos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.