Kyoto City Rakusai Bamboo Park Children's Plaza (京都市洛西竹林公園 子どもの広場)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The lawn plaza at Kyoto City Rakusai Bamboo Park is an open space ringed by bamboo, with an arbour and benches. There is no large dining hall in the park, so bringing a packed lunch and eating it on the lawn or in the arbour is the way to spend lunchtime here. When a breeze comes through the bamboo the felt temperature drops sharply, and even in midsummer you can sit comfortably in the shade. After eating, rest a while in the shade of the arbour, then change into swimwear and head for the Splash Pond, which makes for a well-balanced flow. There are also play features near the plaza, such as a slide that makes use of the sloping ground, so you can move about gently once your meal has settled.

Tips

Buying your lunch and drinks around Hankyu Rakusaiguchi Station or Katsura Station before you head over is the sure way to do it. Rubbish must be taken home, so bring plenty of plastic bags. The arbour and benches are limited in number, so on busy days a picnic sheet lets you make a space of your own. Avoid getting into the water straight after eating; waiting 20 to 30 minutes before changing is safer.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour. The trick is to ride out the hot hours around noon in the shade

Access & map

2-chome Oe Minamifukunishi-cho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto 610-1113