Kyoto City Rakusai Bamboo Park — Attraction in Kyoto

Rakusai Bamboo ( Chikurin ) Park is located in the area called Oharano in Rakusai region.This region is known for its mass growth of bamboo and agriculture. It was before the construction of Rakusai New Town which was a project of Kyoto City to develop an ideal form of residential district, much of the whole area of Rakusai was covered in bamboo groves. Along with the construction of new town a large area of bamboo groves are reduced into current state. It was a part of project of Rakusai New Town to commemorate original state of this area and preserve the remaining zone of bamboo groves, thus this facility was established in 1981 supported by the voice of locals. This Bamboo ( Chikurin ) Park represents its local life in this area. In this municipal facility there is a museum displaying a wide variety of bamboos for educational purpose. This park does not choose a season to visit since the forest of bamboo is ever-green.The park lies in the expansive area of mass growth of bamboo. You would enjoy from the point you start approaching to the park connected with a winding path surrounded by bamboo forest. Inside the museum is well guided by supportive staff members offering informative guidance both in Japanese and English. You can learn about traditional technique of bamboo preservation invented in Japan.

Kyomeichiku is ornamental bamboo produced with special method originated in Kyoto. These are examples of Kyomeichiku. They are processed with a special technique to remove oil from inside and roast the surface of bamboo and again remove the oil as it comes out on the surface. Later those bamboos are dried in the sun. This is how they are finished shiny on the surface. Kyomeichiku is designated as a traditional industry and those products are traditional crafts of Kyoto.

After a little guided tour by the staff you can go on your way to explore into the forest of collective bamboo species brought from all over the world. Next to the museum is nicely designed Japanese garden consists of more than 200 different species of bamboo collected from all over the world. Rakusai Bamboo Park is much renowned in the world for its capacity. In the garden you will notice a stone monument of warlord Oda Nobunaga and a bridge replaced here from Kamigyo ward Dotobashi. Variety of goods made of bamboo are reasonably available in the shop inside the museum. The location of Rakusai is south-west of Arashiyama in Ukyo ward. They also display some of the elaborate folk crafts made of bamboo. The access to the area : First take a train to Katsura Station of Hankyu Line and take a bus No. 8. It is about 5 minutes walk from Minami-fukunishicho bus stop. The park is open from 9:00 to 17:00. The entrance has to be made by 16:00. Closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is free. Strolling around the entire area of bamboo grove surrounding the park takes about 1 hour.

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The bamboo forest is amazing if you have never seen one so far. The place is quite well kept and you can enjoy a nice bundle of nature while walking. The park (Open from 09:00 to 16:00) is also a nice place for relaxation and to see a lot of bamboo species as well, from baby bamboo trees ro mature ones. This was a great experience, you should not miss the opportunity. P.S.: While in Kyoto, you should also try to eat...

You should definitely go. You get to enjoy the bamboo without big crowds, and there's a museum with pretty cool info about the different types of bamboo and history of its uses and whatnot. The staff there were super friendly and welcoming. There's also some unique varieties of bamboo in the garden by the museum, so it's interesting. Nice products and a...