Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets
Overview
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Arashiyama Walking Tour
Explore Kyoto’s Arashiyama district with a local guide. Walk through the famous Bamboo Forest, visit the beautiful Tenryuji Garden and Okochi Sanso, cross Togetsukyo Bridge, enjoy local flavors, and hike to the hilltop Monkey Park for amazing views. We also include hidden paths and quiet spots most travelers miss.
Fushimi Inari + Arashiyama Combo
We also offer a combined option that includes Fushimi Inari Taisha before exploring Arashiyama’s highlights. Perfect for travelers who want both the torii gates and the Bamboo Forest in one experience.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tours are in English only. Want a different language like German or Italian? Please ask us before booking.
There is a 20-25 minutes hike to the monkey park hilltop and the path is a bit steep.
Solo travelers can book this tour, but please note there is a “2 guests minimum” requirement for the tour to proceed. If only one guest is booked, the tour may be canceled. In such cases, you will be notified promptly, with options for rescheduling or a full refund.
For the privacy and comfort of all guests, smart glasses with recording capabilities (such as Ray-Ban Meta glasses) are not allowed during the tour.
Be able to hike up to the hilltop of the monkey park (20-25 minutes)
Recording & live streaming are NOT allowed during the whole tour!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Arashiyama
Saga-Arashiyama Station: Meet at the Saga-Arashiyama Station, where you can take a few minutes to explore the surrounding area and get acquainted with your group.
Nonomiya Shrine
Nonomiya Shrine is a small but historically significant Shinto shrine in Arashiyama, Kyoto. It was traditionally used for purification rituals by unmarried imperial princesses before they served as priestesses at Ise Shrine. Surrounded by a lush bamboo grove, the shrine is known for its connections to love, marriage, and academic success. It is also mentioned in The Tale of Genji, adding to its cultural and literary significance.
What‘s Included
Tenryuji Temple (admission paid)
Bamboo Forest
Fushimi Inari (Combo Tour only)
Monkey Park (20-25 min hike) admission paid
Knowledgeable & Bilingual Tour Guide
Okochi Sanso (Arashiyama Tour only)
Togetsukyo Bridge
Tips (accepted & welcomed)
Lunch & Dinner
Pick up not available
Options
Group Tour
Starting point:
Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
Private (Prize per Group Size)
Fushimi & Arashiyama
Okochi Sanso Garden excluded: Okochi Sanso is NOT included
Train fees NOT included: Train fees from Fushimi Inari to the bamboo forest are not included. Please make sure to purchase them before tour start.
Starting point:
Fushimi Inari Taisha, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
Reviews
1,215 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great overview of the Arashiyama
Rosemarie s,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour did a great job of covering the multiple places of interest in the Arashiyama district. Terry was fantastic at explaining and giving information about each specific highlight. She was fun, engaging and quick to address our questions.
A must for anyone visiting Kyoto
P1414AOtomasc,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Teri was excellent, very knowledgeable and made every stop fun. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Kyoto.
Bamboo forest tour
592iagoa,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Janiel was an amazing tour guide, very interactive and engaging and made the tour fun but also educational, would recommend to anyone looking for tours around this area 🙏🏽
Tour
ernests907,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00we had a great time with Janiel, super knowledgeable and friendly. Always offered to take photos and invited questions would highly recommended.
Great walking tour
RyanBond1993,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marie was a great guide and provided lots of interesting information about the forest, the temples and the monkey park
Lovely day out!
257kurty,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari was fantastic! So knowledgeable and friendly, she really made it a special experience! Absolutely recommend booking this experience!
Fantastic walking tour
judithsM8763ZW,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We opted for the private tour option, and it was a great experience. Our tour guide, Marie, was fantastic. We were able to adjust the time spent in each spot, AND she took amazing pictures of us along the way!! Plan for a lot of walking. And 5-6 hours is the right estimate of time. The trek to the monkey park is steep, but well worth the hike. Be sure to by the veggies, not the peanuts. The monkeys are picky about what they eat!!
A great guide made the tour!
jasonlB8717UX,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic trip, and our guide Marie was one of the best we've ever had; she could not have been better. Strongly recommend!!
Amazing experience! Shoutout to Teri
Go50619915728,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely incredible experience on this tour with Teri. From start to finish, she was knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about Kyoto and its history. She shared so many fascinating details and local insights that we never would have picked up on our own, and she did an amazing job balancing structure with a relaxed, enjoyable pace. The bamboo grove, gardens, and surrounding areas were beautiful, and Teri knew exactly how to time everything and where to go so it never felt rushed or overwhelming. She was also incredibly personable and thoughtful, making the experience feel very personal rather than like a generic tour. Could not recommend Teri or this tour enough. If you’re visiting Kyoto, this is absolutely worth doing.
Great orientation to Kyoto
NorthStar68324903826,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Teri was excellent and provided a great orientation to Kyoto and lots of knowledge about the various attractions of the tour. She was very enthusiastic and informed and it made our day incredible! Great way to orient yourself to Kyoto and understand the city.
-6% off
From US$65.57Was US$69.97
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