Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto (must see)

Arashiyama's bamboo grove is a magnet for photographers, enchanting visitors with its towering stalks swaying gracefully like nature's own dancers. While bamboo is renowned for its resilience and flexibility, here its aesthetic allure takes center stage.

Conveniently situated next to the Tenryu-ji Temple and connected to hidden shrines, this atmospheric forested area costs nothing to enjoy, and if you head out early in the morning on weekdays you will (almost) have it to yourself. With luck on your side and tourist crowds at bay, you'll hear the clink of the canes leaning into each other and – on a bright day – find radiant beams of sunlight filtering through the dense foliage, casting ethereal patterns on the forest floor.

A stroll through this verdant wonderland is a brief yet immersive experience, allowing you to traverse one of the "10 most beautiful tree tunnels in the world" before venturing forth to explore the myriad other treasures that Arashiyama has to offer.