The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights. And as the Unesco World Heritage-listed city grows increasingly popular in the lead-up to autumn, it’s set to become even more crowded. While it may seem counterintuitive to host an event here – potentially drawing even more visitors – the upcoming Arashiyama Bamboo Path night opening aims to address overtourism in a more sustainable way.
This October marks the first time in four years that the attraction will host an illumination event, following the conclusion of the Arashiyama Hanatoro winter light-up in 2021. Throughout the month, this beloved bamboo grove will light up after sunset with handcrafted bamboo lanterns, casting a warm glow on the greenery and creating an even more magical atmosphere than during the day.
This ticketed event is organised by a local committee, with the active participation of residents and businesses. While its main purpose is to ease daytime congestion by spreading out visiting times, the Arashiyama Bamboo Path is also very much community-focused.
The bamboo lanterns illuminating the grove are handmade by local residents, and revenue from ticket sales will go towards local causes: preservation of the bamboo grove, restoration of traditional bamboo fences, reforestation of Arashiyama’s national forest, and the maintenance of local amenities such as public toilets and bins.
In addition, on selected dates (October 4, 25 and 26), staff and volunteers will be on site to encourage responsible tourism behaviour. This includes distributing bin bags to discourage littering, and reminding visitors to refrain from smoking while walking, speaking loudly or entering restricted areas.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Path night illumination will run from October 1–31, between 6pm and 9pm (last entry at 8.30pm). Tickets cost ¥1,500, with free entry for primary school children and younger. For more information, visit the event website.
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