Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Scenery Customized Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the cultural highlights and beautiful landscapes in two historically important districts in Kyoto on a walking tour of Arashiyama and Sagano. This 4-hour tour allows you to choose a few locations of your choice within the Arashiyama and Sagano areas. How about crossing the Togetsukyo bridge to enjoy the river view and visit a magnificent temple like Tenryu-ji or a serene temple like Jojakko-ji Temple, and stroll through a beautiful bamboo forest?
Arashiyama/Sagano is a picturesque place where aristocrats have had their villas since ancient times. Whether you are a history and culture lovers who wants to visit temples, a nature lover or a shopper, there is always something for everyone in these areas.
Please choose 2-3 places that you wish to visit.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A moderate amount of walking is included. Please wear comfortable walking shoes
This is a walking tour. A private van is not included.
Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between spots.
The cost of transportation is not included in the price. Transportation fees will vary depending on the destinations you decide to visit.
The tour will take place rain or shine.
What To Expect
Meet with your guide at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (in front of a ticket gate). Based on your preferences, you will visit select sites in Arashiyama/Sagano area. We have listed popular/suggested spots for your reference. Please choose the ones that interest you from the list: On average, you can visit 2-3 spots in a half-day tour. If you don't find the spots you want to visit, please feel free to discuss your preferences with the guide. The guide will then customize the itinerary for you.
Togetsukyo Bridge
Built over the Katsura River, this 155 meter long bridge is one of the iconic images of Arashiyama. It's a great spot to take in the surrounding scenery and Arashiyama mountains as the backdrop.
Options
4-hour Walking Tour
Duration: 4 hours: It's a 4-hour private tour where you can explore customized plans using public transportation.
What‘s Included
Private customized walking tour. Public transportation or taxis maybe used.
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Optional: Entrance Fees (for yourself and guide)
Private Van
Hotel Pick-up
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
120 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Takashi is the best!!
Winnie L,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I hope that everyone is lucky enough to get Takashi Okanuma as their tour guide. He was so friendly, informative, funny and told the best stories! He also makes sure everyone has a great time. We were really tired from the days before, and Takashi went out of his way to make sure we were doing the right activities. He even stayed a little longer than our time, because he wanted us to see the parade! He also takes pictures from his own phone, and will send it to you right after the tour. He’s an amazing photographer and knows all the right spots! Takashi really goes above and beyond, and made our day trip to Kyoto very memorable!
Pleasant and insightful visit to Arashiyama
carrigancourt,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yoshiko, our guide, met us at our hotel for our private morning tour exploring the historic Saga-Toriimoto neighborhood of Arashiyama. As our taxi headed towards our destination, surprise, surprise, the driver informed Yoshiko of the sudden closure that day (all Wednesdays thereafter) of our first stop – Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. Not a problem, a quick pivot, and Yoshiko led us to the hillside site of Adashino Nembutsu ji, a Buddhist memorial ground of 8000 ancient stone grave markers. We followed a bamboo path rising behind the 13-tier pagoda temple — a stunning, contemplative stretch that was blissfully removed from the crowds of the main Arashiyama grove. From there, Yoshiko led us to the tranquil Giōji Temple, guiding us through its serene moss garden while sharing the tragic but tender love story about a spurned dancer who found refuge and became a nun. Our unhurried walk continued down the road with quaint shops interspersed with charming old homes with private gardens arriving at a small local restaurant where we enjoyed a quiet lunch with set meals that were both delicious and beautifully presented. Yoshiko’s English was excellent, making everything feel effortless and engaging, and she sprinkled the day with stories from her own time living abroad, including heart-warming anecdotes about her family. Those personal touches made the entire experience feel even more special and connected. We’re so grateful for the time we spent with her. If you’re visiting Kyoto and want a guide who is kind, fluent in English, culturally insightful, and genuinely invested in your experience, we highly recommend Yoshiko from Arigato Travel.
Must do!
Lauren H,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic experience! Our guide was Takuma Goda and he was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable and constantly tailored the tour to exactly what we were looking for. We had a great time and it made our experience extremely special!
Perfect Day
carlosrB508CC,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was incredible and Yuji was an amazing tour guide. We learned so much thanks to him and he built the itinerary exactly to what we had in mind so the day was perfect. Yuji gave us so much insight into the history and culture that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise so it was the perfect combination of sightseeing and learning about the importance and meaning of each location as well. Highly recommend the tour if you are looking to learn more about Arashiyama
Eric was a fantastic guide!
willat47,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eric was so knowledgable and friendly! He took beautiful photos of us and gave us fascinating insight on all the historical sites we visited. He was also very understanding and accommodating because I was recovering from an injury and needed to move slowly through the tour. We can't recommend him enough!
Fabulous tour and Eric is a fabulous tour guide
nurse09Ct,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I booked this tour with our guide Eric we had a four hour tour from 11 to 3 PM. It was a fabuloustour and Eric is a fabulous guide we saw and learned so much about Kyoto. It’s history. It’s temples it’s food and more Eric was very to all of us and gave us so much good advice about what we were seeing and about where to go. This was the perfect tour and I am so glad that we booked it. I highly recommend it.
Bamboo Forest
Jodie K,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Takuma Goda was a great tour guide very knowledgeable and spoke really beautiful english. He had a passion for the scenery and the knew the history of the area. Happy to personalise the walk to everyone involved. Thank you again.
A Walk on the Wild Side... when you can avoid the hordes.
Brian E,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00An amazing place... such a shame that mass tourism has taken over. Visited in mid afternoon but still rammed. Reports of peoples initials being carved in to the bamboo! Would suggest visiting in early morning or late afternoon, when tour groups have diminished. A lot of tourist tat shops and the start of the forest walk is a 15 minute hike from the car and coach parks.
Fun tour with Lucas!
U4446QLpattyr,May 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lucas gave us an amazing tour and gave us the history of the sites we visited. This was a fun way to explore the town and we covered a lot more sites than we could have on foot. We highly recommend this tour!
An efficient way to see a lot
741suel,Apr 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Mika was great. She created a route based on what we wanted to see and had great recommendations. It was our first time in Kyoto and we only had a day, so this was a good way to see a lot of stuff without having to do all the planning ourselves. Mika was knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history and attractions, sharing interesting facts along the way. There’s so much to see in Kyoto!
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