The Sagano (Sagano Arashiyama) Bamboo Forest is primarily composed of mōsō bamboo, scientifically known as Phyllostachys edulis. This species is renowned for its tall, straight culms and substantial height, with mature stalks commonly reaching up to around 20–28 meters (roughly 65–92 feet) in optimal conditions, contributing to the forest’s iconic, towering appearance and dense grove. Phyllostachys edulis is a running (rhizomatous) bamboo, meaning it spreads underground and can form dense stands that create the immersive, wind- swept corridor feel the forest is famous for. This growth habit, combined with the species’ robust culms and relatively rapid vertical growth, underpins both the height and the perceived strength of the grove.