Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto - one of the most photographed locations in Japan
What should one do when arriving at their destination too early, left with only a drinks vending machine for company?

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most renowned bamboo forests in Japan, known for its beauty and popularity among travellers. It has become an iconic representation of the city of Kyoto.
Having learned from my previous mishap during a morning shoot at Hokan-ji temple, I made sure to arrive well before sunrise at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This allowed me ample time to explore the area and secure the best vantage point for capturing the sunrise.
Despite the early hour, I was determined to arrive on time. With sunrise scheduled for before 5:30 am and the first train out of Kyoto Station not departing until after 6 am, I knew I would have to rely on a taxi to get me to the bamboo forest. Setting my alarm for 3:30 am, I dragged myself out of bed and navigated the quiet streets of a foreign country armed with only a few Japanese phrases. It was the beginning of my quest to secure a taxi for my journey.
Finding a taxi in the middle of the night in Kyoto used to be a major challenge, especially when trying to communicate with a driver who may not speak English. However, thanks to the age of smartphones, apps, and modern technology, these inconveniences have been completely eliminated.
Gone are the days of struggling to convey your destination in broken Japanese, risking misunderstandings or being dropped off at the wrong location. While Uber is not an option in Japan, a similar smartphone app allows me to summon a sleek black Japanese taxi driven by a well-dressed driver who takes pride in his profession and vehicle. From my quiet Kyoto residential neighbourhood, I can easily locate my drop-off point on the app and relax as I zip through the city centre towards the northwestern part of Kyoto.
Upon arriving outside the forest in the still-dark early morning, the taxi swiftly departed, leaving me alone on the city's edge. With no streetlights to guide me into the bamboo forest, the only source of light was a nearby drinks vending machine. The solitude was both exhilarating and eerie, as I realised, I was likely the only person in the vicinity. While I didn't feel unsafe, I couldn't help but question my decision to venture to the edge of the city and what might happen if I encountered any trouble.
Clearly, I am too early to have arrived at the location, and as the location of the shoot is not within an urban area, it will purely lit by daylight, therefore I have no choice but to wait for the first sign of daylight before I venture into the bamboo. My only companion was the drinks vending machine, giving me the only source of light that doesn’t make me feel alone.
It was a good 40 minutes before the first sign of daylight to break through, and I plucked up the courage, using my mobile phone as a torch light, and venture into the forest for my early morning shot of the forest.
Engulfed in near darkness, my eyes slowly adjusted to the little slither of daylight that is slowing coming through from the sky, it was obviously not the ideal condition to photograph, nevertheless, it is the first time that I was standing in near complete darkness, without any noise associated with a city, apart from the slight fluffing sound from the leaves of the bamboo trees. It felt surreal, but exhilarating at the same time.
Composition wise, there isn’t a lot of artistic variety for this location, since the pedestrian footpath, together with the fences on either side of the path dictated that you have to shoot straight on for the optimal angle. The only variety is whether the tripod should be set at eye level or lower down at the hip level, but either angle will provide an outstanding photo should the light condition is correct and with no people within the shot.
The photoshoot was a truly enjoyable experience from a personal perspective. Although I arrived at the location early, I took advantage of the extra time to fully immerse myself in the occasion. Being surrounded by the serene Japanese countryside, I was able to appreciate the beauty of nature as the daylight broke and the birds began to chirp, signalling the start of a new day.
Having the entire bamboo forest to myself for over an hour was a privilege. I took the opportunity to observe the changing light and experiment with different camera lenses to capture unique perspectives. As other photographers began to arrive, I knew it was time to wrap up and head to the train station.
This photoshoot taught me to cherish the natural world and the peacefulness it offers. It was a healing experience to be alone in such a tranquil setting. Perhaps it is time to explore other genre to experience a different kind of photography.
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