Bamboo shoots are one of Kyoto's specialty products, but the "Otokuni" area around Muko City and Nagaokakyo City is known for producing some of the highest quality bamboo shoots in Kyoto. Take-no-Michi (the Bamboo Path) is located in the Muko hills in the northwestern part of Muko city and has a total length of about 1.8 km. The area has been improved since 2000 to preserve the scenery and promote tourism. Both sides of the road are lined by eight different kinds of bamboo hedge, including original creations such as “Takehogaki,” a hedge made of bamboo branches tied in bundles, “Kofungaki,” a hedge that looks like a rounded ancient burial mound, and “Kaguyagaki,” a hedge patterned after the neck of a 12-layered ceremonial kimono worn by Princess Kaguya, the protagonist of the folk story “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.”
As a result, in recent years the path is has won numerous awards. In addition to receiving the "Handmade Hometown Award" from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, it has been certified by the Japan Walking Association as one of the "500 Most Beautiful Japanese Walking Paths" and "Best 100 National Walking Paths." Further, the path is designated as a "Kyoto Scenic Asset” and a “Kyoto Cultural Landscape."
Despite all the above, it is still a little-known tourist spot. You can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the bamboo forest away from the hustle and bustle while listening to the sound of the bamboo grass swaying in the wind and the chirping of small birds.
Every autumn, a light-up event called "Bamboo Path / Kaguya-no-yube (Kaguya's Evening)" is held. More than 4,500 bamboo lanterns made of candles floating in bamboo tubes filled with water are lit all over the bamboo grove. Combined with the colors of the setting sun the sight is spectacular.
- Address
- Shibayama, Terado-cho, Muko City to Kyoto-Mozumecho Nagano, Nakakaido
- Access
- Bus: Take a bus from "Katsuragawa" station on the JR Kyoto line or "Rakusaiguchi" station on the Hankyu Kyoto line and get off at "Muko Kaisei Hospital", then walk for 10 minutes.
Take a bus from "Mukomachi" station on the JR Kyoto line or "Higashimuko" station on the Hankyu Kyoto line and get off at "Higashiyama", then walk for 10 minutes. - Price
- Free
- Parking
- Not available
