Kameyama Park (Arashiyama), Kyoto - brown and white house near green trees and river during daytime
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Kameyama Park Arashiyama Kyoto

4.5
·1k reviews·京都市, Japan

A serene park adjacent to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, offering stunning river views and a peaceful escape.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning (before 9 AM)

Beat the crowds, serene atmosphere

CrowdLow
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Kameyama Park (Arashiyama), Kyoto - brown and white house near green trees and river during daytime

Kameyama Park Arashiyama Kyoto

Best Time

Early morning (before 9 AM)

Beat the crowds, serene atmosphere

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene park adjacent to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, offering stunning river views and a peaceful escape.

4.5
(1k reviews)

"Kameyama Park is a lovely spot for a relaxed break from the city's crowds, offering great photo opportunities."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Go super early to avoid crowds

Aim for sunrise (4:30-6:00 AM) for the best chance of a peaceful experience.

🌳 Explore Kameyama Park's views

Escape the bamboo forest crowds and enjoy river views from this adjacent, less-visited park.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama

Towering stalks of bamboo create an otherworldly, serene atmosphere. A must-see Kyoto icon.

Kameyama Park Viewpoints

Kameyama Park Viewpoints

Adjacent to Bamboo Grove

Offers picturesque views of the Hozugawa River and surrounding mountains. Perfect for a peaceful moment.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge

Arashiyama

Iconic bridge offering scenic river and mountain vistas, especially beautiful during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds: Arrive Early!

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove gets incredibly busy. Arrive before 9 AM, ideally at sunrise, to experience its magic with fewer people. Many Redditors emphasize that even early mornings can have crowds, so the earlier the better! Reddit+1

Beyond the Bamboo: Explore Kameyama Park

Don't just rush through the bamboo forest! Kameyama Park, adjacent to it, offers stunning river views and fewer tourists. It's a peaceful escape and a great spot for photos, especially in spring and fall. Reddit

Best Times

When
Early morning (before 9 AM)
Why
Beat the crowds, serene atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Spring (cherry blossoms)
Why
Stunning floral displays
Crowd
High
When
Autumn (fall foliage)
Why
Vibrant red and gold leaves
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Favourite thing to do in Kyoto 🇯🇵 Scenic boat ride in Arashiyama #京都 that costs less than $20 pp and I 💯 recommend it! FOLLOW @wisteria_voyage for more travel tips + hidden gems 💎 #explorejapan #japantrip #日本旅遊 #kyototravel #京都
@wisteria_voyage
53.8K likes • 1.3M views

🎯 Go super early to avoid crowds

Aim for sunrise (4:30-6:00 AM) for the best chance of a peaceful experience. Reddit+1

🌳 Explore Kameyama Park's views

Escape the bamboo forest crowds and enjoy river views from this adjacent, less-visited park. Reddit

travel vlogs are back because I need to free up storage space on my phone 🥹 but honestly I really need to stop procrastinating and finish all these Japan vlogs already 🙊 #japanvlog #travelvlog #kyoto #arashiyamabambooforest #kyotoitinerary #japanitinerary #traveljapan #kyotodaytrip
@kristyklin
36.9K likes • 482K views
RESERVE IN ADVANCE!! 🍚🐟🍳🍤🍵$29 Donburi lunch set in Arashiyama, Kyoto with a river view! #japan #arashiyamaitsukichaya #kyotojapan #arashiyama #donburi #ricebowl #lunchset #japanesefood #kyotofood
@angerellla
35.3K likes • 520.7K views

🚶‍♀️ Wander and explore beyond

Arashiyama is more than just the bamboo; take time to wander and discover hidden gems. Reddit

📸 Capture the magic at dawn

Sunrise offers a magical light for photos, especially from Togetsukyo Bridge. Reddit

reddit.com

Visit Arashiyama Park after the bamboo forest!

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Go super early to avoid crowds

Aim for sunrise (4:30-6:00 AM) for the best chance of a peaceful experience. Reddit+1

🌳 Explore Kameyama Park's views

Escape the bamboo forest crowds and enjoy river views from this adjacent, less-visited park. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Wander and explore beyond

Arashiyama is more than just the bamboo; take time to wander and discover hidden gems. Reddit

📸 Capture the magic at dawn

Sunrise offers a magical light for photos, especially from Togetsukyo Bridge. Reddit

🍜 Enjoy a river view lunch

Consider a donburi lunch set with a scenic river view in Arashiyama. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.5
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Kameyama Park for its beautiful scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and free entry, offering a welcome respite from the crowds of the nearby Bamboo Grove. Many appreciate the river and mountain views, making it a great spot for photos and relaxation. However, some find the park's hilly terrain a bit challenging, and the main draw remains the iconic Bamboo Grove, which can be extremely crowded.

"Beautiful scenery. Arashiyama park is a great place to take photos. The restaurants and stores near make this park even better if you want to spend the day near it too. The best part is that all of this is free!

Summary 📝:
- beautiful scenery 🏞️
- near restaurants and stores 🛍️
- despite being near a river, there are very
little bugs 🐜

I'm not a good photographer, so you could probably get much better photos than the ones below!"

Ty C

"Kyoto's Park Kameyama Area is a lovely spot for a relaxed break from the city's crowds. Tucked away within the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, it's easy to miss, but worth seeking out. The park is a peaceful, hilly area with a few scenic viewpoints that offer great photo opportunities of the river and the surrounding mountains. It's a nice place to sit on a bench, enjoy the quiet, and watch the small boats drift by. While it doesn't have the grand, iconic feel of some of Kyoto's more famous sites, its charm lies in its simplicity and tranquility. It's the perfect place to catch your breath and enjoy a moment of nature before heading back into the bustling streets."

P

"A very nice park linking the end of the bamboo forest to the river. Most tourists enter the park from the top and walk downhill. It’s quite ateep at certain a parts.

Lots of greenery. Sufficient signage to direct visitors.

A nice place! Thumbs up!"

Ron Yang

What People Like

Beautiful scenery
Peaceful atmosphere
Free entry

What People Dislike

Can be hilly
Bamboo Grove crowds

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The most common way is by JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 15-20 mins from Kyoto Station). Alternatively, the Hankyu Arashiyama Line or Keifuku Randen Tram offer scenic routes. TikTok

Yes, public transport is generally kid-friendly. The JR Sagano Line is a straightforward option. Consider the duration of the journey and potential crowds. Reddit

Yes, taxis are available, but they will be significantly more expensive than public transport. It might be more convenient for families with very young children. Reddit

It's about a 15-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Follow the signs or use a map app. TikTok

Yes, Arashiyama is a popular day trip from Osaka. It takes about 50-60 minutes by train. Plan your day to maximize your time. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Kameyama Park is free to enter. It's a public park offering beautiful scenery without any admission cost. Reddit

The main path through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a public street and free to access. However, some attractions within Arashiyama, like Tenryu-Ji Temple or Okochi Sanso Villa, require separate tickets. Reddit

The Bamboo Grove is accessible 24/7, but it's best visited during daylight. Temples like Tenryu-Ji typically open around 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM and close in the late afternoon. Reddit

While there isn't a specific pass just for Kameyama Park, consider a Kyoto City Bus & Subway Pass if you plan to use public transport extensively within Kyoto. TikTok

It's challenging to avoid crowds entirely, but arriving extremely early (before 8 AM) or visiting on a weekday outside of peak seasons significantly reduces the number of people. Reddit+1

📸 📸 Photography

Kameyama Park offers stunning river and mountain views. The Bamboo Grove itself is iconic, but can be crowded. Togetsukyo Bridge at sunrise is also a popular photo spot. Reddit+1

Early morning, especially during the 'golden hour' around sunrise, provides the best light and fewer people for unobstructed photos. Reddit+1

Drone usage is generally restricted in popular tourist areas and parks in Japan to ensure safety and prevent disturbance. It's best to assume they are not allowed unless explicitly permitted. TikTok

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the bamboo. A telephoto lens can be useful for landscape shots from Kameyama Park. A tripod can help with low-light photography in the grove. TikTok

Some Redditors suggest exploring paths within Tenryu-Ji Temple's gardens or venturing slightly off the main path in the Bamboo Grove for more unique shots. Reddit

🎫 🚶‍♀️ Onsite Experience

The main path through the grove can be walked in about 20-30 minutes, but it can take much longer if you stop frequently or if it's crowded. TikTokReddit

Kameyama Park offers walking paths, scenic viewpoints overlooking the river and mountains, and benches for relaxation. It's a peaceful place to enjoy nature. Reddit+1

Yes, Kameyama Park has some steep sections as it's built on a hill, offering elevated viewpoints. Wear comfortable shoes. Reddit

Kameyama Park is generally much less crowded than the Bamboo Grove, making it a great place to escape the main tourist throngs. Reddit

Consider visiting Tenryu-Ji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa, the Monkey Park Iwatayama, taking a Hozugawa River boat ride, or exploring the charming streets. Reddit+1

🍽️ 🍜 Food & Dining

Yes, the area around the Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge is lined with restaurants and cafes offering various Japanese cuisines, some with river views. Reddit

This refers to a rice bowl dish, often served as a set meal. One popular spot in Arashiyama offers a $29 donburi lunch with a river view. TikTok

While many Japanese restaurants focus on seafood and meat, you can often find vegetarian options like vegetable tempura, soba noodles, or rice dishes. It's advisable to check menus or ask staff. TikTok

Look for smaller eateries off the main tourist streets or consider convenience stores (konbini) for quick and budget-friendly snacks and meals. TikTok

While there are benches, formal picnicking might not be encouraged in all park areas. It's best to check local regulations or enjoy snacks purchased from nearby vendors. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Arashiyama can be a wonderful experience for families, but planning is key. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is visually captivating for children, but be prepared for crowds. Arriving very early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid meltdowns caused by overwhelming numbers of people. Reddit+1

Kameyama Park offers a more relaxed environment with beautiful views, and it's generally less crowded, making it a good spot for kids to explore without feeling overwhelmed. Reddit Consider the Monkey Park Iwatayama for an adventurous outing; the uphill climb can be challenging for very young children, but the reward of seeing monkeys and panoramic views is often worth it. Reddit Public transport like the JR Sagano Line is accessible for families, but taxis are an option for added convenience if budget allows. Reddit

🚶 Budget Travelers

Kameyama Park itself is free to enter, making it an excellent budget-friendly attraction. Reddit While the Bamboo Grove is also free to walk through, many of Arashiyama's other attractions, like temples and the Monkey Park, have entrance fees. Reddit To save money on food, explore local convenience stores (konbini) for affordable snacks and meals, or look for smaller, less touristy eateries away from the main thoroughfares. TikTok

Utilizing public transportation like the JR Sagano Line is the most economical way to reach Arashiyama from Kyoto. TikTok Consider packing your own water bottle and snacks to avoid purchasing them at inflated tourist prices. Many of the most memorable experiences, like enjoying the scenery from Kameyama Park or wandering through the bamboo, cost nothing. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Arashiyama Experience: More Than Just Bamboo

While the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is undeniably the star attraction, many visitors find that its true charm unfolds when explored alongside Kameyama Park. This adjacent park, often overlooked by the masses rushing through the bamboo, offers a tranquil escape with stunning vistas of the Hozugawa River and the surrounding mountains. Redditors consistently highlight Kameyama Park as a peaceful haven, perfect for photography and a moment of quiet reflection away from the crowds. Reddit+1

Beyond these two key areas, Arashiyama is a treasure trove of cultural and natural beauty. Consider visiting Tenryu-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a magnificent garden that provides a more spacious and less congested experience than the bamboo grove. For panoramic views, the Monkey Park Iwatayama offers a rewarding (though uphill) climb. Reddit The Togetsukyo Bridge is another iconic landmark, especially picturesque during the spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage. Reddit

To truly appreciate Arashiyama, embrace the spirit of exploration. Renting a bicycle can be an excellent way to cover more ground and discover lesser-known temples and scenic spots at your own pace. Reddit Whether you're drawn by the iconic bamboo, the serene park views, or the rich cultural heritage, Arashiyama offers a multifaceted experience that rewards those who take the time to wander and discover. Reddit

Navigating Arashiyama: Timing is Everything

The most frequently shared advice across TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit is the critical importance of timing your visit to Arashiyama. The Bamboo Grove, in particular, can become overwhelmingly crowded, transforming a serene experience into a shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle. Reddit+2 Many travelers recommend arriving before 9 AM, with some even suggesting the 'crack of dawn' or sunrise (around 4:30-6:00 AM) for the best chance at experiencing the grove's ethereal beauty with minimal people. Reddit+1

This early morning strategy isn't just for the Bamboo Grove; it applies to other popular spots as well. Even at sunrise, you might encounter other early birds, but it's significantly less crowded than mid-morning or afternoon. Reddit The crowds tend to peak around 9 AM and can become 'unbelievable' by late morning or early afternoon, making it difficult to move freely. Reddit+1 If you can't make it for sunrise, consider visiting Kameyama Park first, as it tends to be less affected by the initial rush. Reddit

Beyond the time of day, the day of the week and season also play a role. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. Reddit While spring and autumn offer stunning natural beauty with cherry blossoms and fall foliage, they also attract the largest crowds. Reddit If you prioritize fewer people, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons or on a weekday in late spring or early autumn. Reddit

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