Muko Bamboo Path

What to know

Take no Michi (竹の径), meaning "Bamboo Path," is a paved walking trail about 1.5 kilometers long that meanders through the bamboo groves of the Muko Hills on the southwestern outskirts of Kyoto, straddling the cities of Muko and Kyoto. It provides a tranquil alternative to the crowded bamboo grove of Arashiyama.

The bamboo groves of Muko have been renowned for centuries for their high-quality bamboo shoots, a Kyoto spring delicacy. Along the path, visitors can learn about another traditional use of bamboo: eight different styles of bamboo fences line various sections of the trail, each with signs explaining their design.

About halfway along the route lies Rakusai Bamboo Park, which features a small network of walking trails and many different bamboo varieties. At the center stands a small museum exploring the biological, artistic, practical, and technological aspects of this versatile plant.

The northern starting point of Take no Michi is a 20-minute walk from Rakusaiguchi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (15 minutes, 200 yen one way from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station in central Kyoto) or a 30-minute walk from Katsuragawa Station on the JR Kyoto Line (6 minutes, 180 yen one way from Kyoto Station). The walk can be shortened by taking a bus from either station to Muko Kaisei Byoin-mae bus stop (向日回生病院前, 3-6 minutes, 190 yen one way).

The southern starting point of Take no Michi is a 20-minute walk from Higashimuko Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (20 minutes, 240 yen one way from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station) or a 30-minute walk from Mukomachi Station on the JR Kyoto Line (8 minutes, 200 yen one way from Kyoto Station). The walk can be shortened by taking a bus from either station to the Higashiyama bus stop (東山, 10-20 minutes, 180 yen one way).