Private Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide, explore the area of Arashiyama and Sagano, where aristocrats once unwound in their villas more than 1,000 years ago.
The highlights of this tour include the scenic countryside views from Togetsukyo bridge; Tenryu-ji temple with its beautiful traditional gardens; the enchanting world from within the Bamboo Grove; and Jojakko-ji Temple with its breathtaking green moss. During the tour you will also visit some secret spots unfamiliar to the usual tourists.
Enjoy the walk and delicious food while learning about Japanese culture and history. Our guides are looking forward to arranging a tour that’s best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Meet up with guide in Kyoto
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
The pick up/drop off for this tour is on foot.
Lunch - Lunch (for yourself)
Entrance fee (for yourself)
Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)
Private Vehicle
Other personal expenses
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Arashiyama
Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama's well known, central landmark. Many small shops, restaurants and other attractions are found nearby, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama's famous bamboo groves and pleasure boats that are available for rent on the river.
Togetsukyo Bridge
The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. "Moon Crossing Bridge") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with dozens of cherry trees is located just adjacent to the bridge.
Options
Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Walking Arashiyama & Sagano
Rebecca H,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00You need a knowledgeable guide to get the most out of the experience. Arashiyama is so much more than a pretty backdrop for photos. So much history & culture
Great tour of monkey park and bamboo forest
Chris C,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great tour of the Kyoto monkey park and bamboo forest. Our guide Michi was terrific. He made the tour both fun and educational for our entire family. He also showed us many other sites in the Arashimaya area that were interesting and very pretty. We cannot say enough great things about Michi.
Great Tour with Yuka!
courtneyc453,
May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great time exploring the Arashiyama area with Yuka! She was very knowledgeable and knew exactly where to take us!
History lessons and amazing vistas
DavidA302,
Nov 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Privileged to have such a wonderful and knowledgeable guide in Akiyama-san. So enjoyed our experience - great combination of a history lesson and amazing vistas and temple visits. Ask for Kazunori Akiyama-san by name, you won't be sorry.
November 2023
angellinc,
Aug 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Nice n Wah scenery but need long walking, November is crowded, not advisable for those people want slow walk n take photo
Simply great: Kyoto customized garden tour with Kaeko Tanigawa
Q1223LEchristians,
Jul 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kyoto customized garden tour: Our guide Kaeko Tanigawa was outstanding. We had the perfect day in Kyoto including: Arashiyama Tenryuji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa, and Ryoanji Temple and Kinkakuji Temple. A beautiful trip, plus great recommendations on restaurants in Kyoto.
Bucket list. : bamboo Forrest checked
Noreen G,
Jul 9, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour was excellent. It was a very hot day and it was very tiring. Ken was a great tour guide. He was very informative and he even gave us a 1 page info sheet about Kyoto history. My children were able to go to the monkey park too!
Fantastic day out with Rie!
LizWard64,
Jun 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a fantastic day out with Rie! She was an excellent tour guide and she showed us some lovely spots in the forest, Kyoto and Uji! Her English is excellent and she took some lovely photos of us. Rie was very communicative over email and was happy to adapt the itinerary to our requests. We would highly recommend booking this tour. Thank you again Rie!!
Bamboo forest in Kyoto guided tour
912esbenf,
Jun 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hi We were so happy about our guided tour to the Bamboo forest in Kyoto, and beyond :). Kaeko T. was an amazing guide, she told us so many things we didn’t know, and she always had a keen eye on us, she made sure we didn’t get lost or separated, she also made sure to ask about it we ever needed a break or if we were thirsty or hungry. Top service. Thank you so much for this your kindness and heartfelt service. All the best, the family from Denmark
Fabulous day guide with ‘Kazz’ in Kyoto!
Tania W,
Jun 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent a wonderful Saturday touring with our guide Kazz on the “Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour". We were blessed with a perfect sunny 30degree day and Kazz made contact with us prior to our departure from NZ to check on whether we had any preferences for things we wanted to see. He arranged to meet us at our hotel at 9am and had provided a rough itinerary of where we’d be visiting and an expected budget for entrance fees and taxis (the most logical way around in our timeframe). This was very useful to know so we could ensure we had enough cash as not all taxis accept c/cards. Kazz was very friendly and had allot of knowledge about every place we visited. We started at Kinkaku-ji temple, then Ryōan-ji temple (rock garden), Giō-ji temple, Bamboo Path (Take-no-michi), Tenryū-ji temple, Arashiyama Togetsu-kyo bridge, Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, Sannenzaka path, Yasaka-no-to Buddhist pagoda, finishing in Gion district. We saw and learnt so much being with Kazz. It was an action packed day but there is no way we would have seen all that we did by ourselves in the time we had. Kazz is a talented photographer and he knew all the best spots for photo opportunities! We took our own photos but the icing on the cake was he kindly took many photos of us and the places we visited as well. He sent us a link to download any photos we wanted to after the tour … we now have some wonderful photos of us in these beautiful locations - thanks Kazz! We’d totally recommend a day with a guide to ensure you hear the history of these amazing places and if you’re lucky enough, you might get Kazz 🌟
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