The JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 16 minutes and costs 240 yen. JR Pass is valid. Saga-Arashiyama Station is a 5-minute walk from the bamboo grove. This is the fastest and most convenient route.
Quick Answer: JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station: 16 minutes, 240 yen, JR Pass valid. The station is a 5-minute walk from the bamboo grove and a 10-minute walk from Tenryu-ji Temple. The most direct connection from Kyoto Station.
Best Route
JR Sagano Line (recommended): From Kyoto Station platforms 31 to 33 (San-in Line/Sagano Line), board a local train toward Sonobe or Kameoka direction. 3 stops to Saga-Arashiyama Station. 16 minutes, 240 yen, JR Pass valid. Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes.
Keifuku Randen Tram (scenic): From Shijo-Omiya Station (20-minute walk or taxi from Kyoto Station), take the Keifuku Randen tram to Arashiyama Station: about 20 minutes, 250 yen. Charming narrow-gauge streetcar, but requires getting to Shijo-Omiya first.
Bus: Kyoto city buses serve Arashiyama from Kyoto Station (Bus 28 or 75). About 40 to 50 minutes, 230 yen. Much slower than the JR train due to Kyoto traffic. Not recommended when the JR option is available.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: At Kyoto Station, follow signs for the JR San-in Line or JR Sagano Line. These platforms (31 to 33) are on the far west side of the station building, a 5-minute walk from the Shinkansen and JR Nara Line platforms. Look for the Sagano Line gate on the north side of the station.
Step 2: Board a local train toward Sonobe, Hozukyo, or Kameoka. All local trains on this line stop at Saga-Arashiyama. Express trains may stop at Nijo and Umahor, but not all stop at Saga-Arashiyama. Check the indicator board. 3 stops, 16 minutes.
Step 3: Exit Saga-Arashiyama Station from the main exit. Walk north for about 5 minutes following signs for the Bamboo Grove (Chikurin no Komichi) and Tenryu-ji Temple. The bamboo grove entrance is visible from the main approach road.
Cost
JR Sagano Line: 240 yen. JR Pasis s valid.
Bus: 230 yen. Not JR Pass.
Entry to the bamboo grove: Free. The main path through the bamboo is public.
Tenryu-ji Temple garden: 500 yen entry. Worth combining with the bamboo grove visit.
Travel Time
Kyoto Station to the bamboo grove: approximately 20 to 25 minutes total: the 16-minute train plus a 5-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Taxi Option
A taxi from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama costs approximately 2,000 to 3,500 yen and takes 20 to 30 minutes. Traffic in the Arashiyama area can be significant on weekends and during spring and autumn peak seasons. The JR train is usually faster and far cheaper.
Best Option with Luggage
The JR Sagano Line handles luggage well. Saga-Arashiyama Station is small and accessible. For the bamboo grove visit itself, coin lockers at the station are available for bag storage. There are also lockers near Tenryu-ji for visitors who want to hike without their bags.
Best Option Late at Night
The bamboo grove path is accessible in the early evening,g but the main Tenryu-ji garden closes at 5 pm. JR local trains from Saga-Arashiyama back to Kyoto Station run until approximately 11 p.m. Evening visits to the bamboo grove are atmospheric and increasingly popular.
Nearby Guides
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Guide
- Kyoto 3-Day Itinerary
- Fushimi Inari Guide
- Kiyomizudera Temple Guide
- Things to Do in Japan
FAQ
Is the bamboo grove worth visiting from Kyoto Station?
Yes. At 16 minutes by JR train, Arashiyama is one of the most accessible major Kyoto sights from Kyoto Station. The bamboo grove is one of the most photographed natural landscapes in Japan. Arrive before 8 am to see it without crowds.
What else is in Arashiyama beyond the bamboo grove?
Tenryu-ji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage garden), the Togetsukyo bridge over the Oi River, the Okochi Sanso villa garden, the Sagano Scenic Railway, and the Jojakko-ji hillside temple. A full day in Arashiyama from Kyoto Station is straightforward. See the
Do JR Pass holders need to pay anything extra?
No. The JR Pass fully covers the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama. Entry to the bamboo grove path is free. The Tenryu-ji garden entry (500 yen) is the main cost for most visitors.
