The Owner-Builder Network

Sagano Bamboo Forest – Japan

The Sagano Bamboo Forest – Kyoto Japan
The Sagano Bamboo Forest – Kyoto Japan

Bamboo is an important part of Japanese culture and landscape. There are over a thousand species of bamboo in the world, and many of them can be found in Japan.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest is one of Japan’s national treasures.  This bamboo forest is about a half-hour out of the ancient capital of Kyoto and covers a total area of about 15 square kilometres.  It is spectacularly beautiful – not just visually, but aurally as well. It is also known as Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

The sound of culms knocking together and the wind sighing through the upper branches is an extraordinary sensory experience, as is the filtered, moving light and shade.

pavilion

Bamboo is still used extensively in Japan in art, building, furniture, paper making and textiles.  Historically, there would have been many similar forests as, in common with most Asian countries, the Japanese have a reverence for bamboo and all it provides to the community.  Unfortunately, population and farming pressures throughout Asia have resulted in a significant decline in bamboo forests in the past 30 years.

The genera here is Phyllostachys edulis, better known as Moso.  It is a running variety that originated in China.  The shoots are highly prized as a food and the long straight culms are up to 25 metres in length, making them excellent for building.

Sagano Bamboo Forest - Kyoto area Japan

While Moso is not suitable for most gardens, there are many totally non-invasive clumping bamboos that will bring exceptional beauty to your home.  There are even temperate varieties capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20F.

Click on any image to start the lightbox display.  Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.  You can also view the images as a slideshow if you prefer  😎

If you like bamboo, or just want to learn more about it, you’re sure to enjoy our ‘All Things Bamboo’ blog

|

Search All Projects:

|

Our Deal For Today!

Your details will never be shared with any third party. Unsubscribe at any time with a single click.

The posts on this site sometimes contain an affiliate link or links to Amazon or other marketplaces. An affiliate link means that this business may earn advertising or referral fees if you make a purchase through those links.