Kyoto's bamboo forest a massive tourist trap now?

[Daniel Mogue]

I keep seeing photos of Arashiyama but also heard the crowds ruin it, is it still a must-see early morning or should I skip it?

 

[Loneta Puark]

Go right at sunrise, seriously, get there before 7 AM, it's magical before the tour buses arrive, otherwise, yeah, it's shoulder-to-shoulder people.