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

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the crowds, serene atmosphere
Kameyama Park Arashiyama Kyoto
Best Time
Beat the crowds, serene atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene park adjacent to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, offering stunning river views and a peaceful escape.
"Kameyama Park is a lovely spot for a relaxed break from the city's crowds, offering great photo opportunities."
🎯 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.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

Kameyama Park Viewpoints
Adjacent to Bamboo Grove
Offers picturesque views of the Hozugawa River and surrounding mountains. Perfect for a peaceful moment.

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!
Beyond the Bamboo: Explore Kameyama Park
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 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.
🚶♀️ Wander and explore beyond
Arashiyama is more than just the bamboo; take time to wander and discover hidden gems.
📸 Capture the magic at dawn
Sunrise offers a magical light for photos, especially from Togetsukyo Bridge.
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.
🌳 Explore Kameyama Park's views
Escape the bamboo forest crowds and enjoy river views from this adjacent, less-visited park.
🚶♀️ Wander and explore beyond
Arashiyama is more than just the bamboo; take time to wander and discover hidden gems.
📸 Capture the magic at dawn
Sunrise offers a magical light for photos, especially from Togetsukyo Bridge.
🍜 Enjoy a river view lunch
Consider a donburi lunch set with a scenic river view in Arashiyama.
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
Yes, public transport is generally kid-friendly. The JR Sagano Line is a straightforward option. Consider the duration of the journey and potential crowds.
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.
It's about a 15-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Follow the signs or use a map app.
Yes, Arashiyama is a popular day trip from Osaka. It takes about 50-60 minutes by train. Plan your day to maximize your time.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Kameyama Park is free to enter. It's a public park offering beautiful scenery without any admission cost.
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.
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.
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.
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.
📸 📸 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.
Early morning, especially during the 'golden hour' around sunrise, provides the best light and fewer people for unobstructed photos.
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.
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.
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.
🎫 🚶♀️ 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.
Kameyama Park offers walking paths, scenic viewpoints overlooking the river and mountains, and benches for relaxation. It's a peaceful place to enjoy nature.
Yes, Kameyama Park has some steep sections as it's built on a hill, offering elevated viewpoints. Wear comfortable shoes.
Kameyama Park is generally much less crowded than the Bamboo Grove, making it a great place to escape the main tourist throngs.
Consider visiting Tenryu-Ji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa, the Monkey Park Iwatayama, taking a Hozugawa River boat ride, or exploring the charming streets.
🍽️ 🍜 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.
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.
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.
Look for smaller eateries off the main tourist streets or consider convenience stores (konbini) for quick and budget-friendly snacks and meals.
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.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
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. 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. Public transport like the JR Sagano Line is accessible for families, but taxis are an option for added convenience if budget allows.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Utilizing public transportation like the JR Sagano Line is the most economical way to reach Arashiyama from Kyoto. 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.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Arashiyama Experience: More Than Just Bamboo
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. The Togetsukyo Bridge is another iconic landmark, especially picturesque during the spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage.
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. 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.
Navigating Arashiyama: Timing is Everything
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. The crowds tend to peak around 9 AM and can become 'unbelievable' by late morning or early afternoon, making it difficult to move freely. If you can't make it for sunrise, consider visiting Kameyama Park first, as it tends to be less affected by the initial rush.
Beyond the time of day, the day of the week and season also play a role. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. While spring and autumn offer stunning natural beauty with cherry blossoms and fall foliage, they also attract the largest crowds. If you prioritize fewer people, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons or on a weekday in late spring or early autumn.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit