Wander the Arashiyama bamboo grove and temples

On the city's western edge, the Arashiyama district is home to the famous bamboo grove, where towering green stalks arch overhead and filter the light, free to walk through and utterly otherworldly. Around it lie temples, a scenic river, and a monkey park on the hill. As with Fushimi Inari, the bamboo grove gets very busy, so arrive early for the quiet, atmospheric version. We'll suggest a route that pairs the grove with the best nearby temples and the riverside.