Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

A quarter-mile footpath through towering bamboo stalks that creak and sway overhead in the wind, right beside Tenryu-ji temple in western Kyoto. One of the most photographed natural sights in Japan, and free to walk any time.

The grove is open 24 hours with free entry. Arrive at or before sunrise to have the path close to yourself; it gets very crowded by mid-morning. It's about a 10-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line) or a 30-minute Hankyu train ride from central Kyoto. Combine it with neighbouring Tenryu-ji's garden and, further on, the Togetsukyo Bridge.