The Arashiyama bamboo grove in Kyoto is one of the most requested places I shoot in Japan and it’s easy to see why. Leaving the busy street and turning down the path that leads to the grove is a bit like entering another world. Inside the grove it’s quiet and peaceful and the sound of the wind moving through the stalks is a magical experience. Japan is a peaceful place in general but it’s exaggerated here. The path is long and winding and you can take your time as you make your way through.
While we have our own mini bamboo grove down here in Iwakuni, nothing compares to Arashiyama. The only downside is how busy it gets but that’s easy to work around too, just go early! (If you’re looking for some tips for shooting here, check out this other post I wrote from a couples session here).
I’ve now gotten to do a handful of sessions here and each one is special. This adorable family came to Japan from San Francisco and they were so fun to work with. It was pretty busy in the bamboo forest on this day so we had to do some maneuvering in order to get shots without a ton of people showing but the pictures turned out great and we got lucky with some beautiful light.
I started my business with family photography so even though I shoot a lot of couples now, it always feels comfortable going back to families. If you’re coming to Kyoto, you definitely need to stop by the Arashiyama bamboo grove and if you really want to go back home with a special memory, let’s take some pictures while you’re here!
