Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets
Overview
Available languages
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Discover Arashiyama’s famous Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park on Kyoto’s top-rated walking tour. Explore peaceful temple gardens, hidden paths, and local secrets you won’t find on other tours.
Places you will visit:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Monkey Park (20 min hike to hilltop)
- Okochi Sanso Garden
- Tenryuji Garden
- Togetsukyo Bridge
- local flavors
- and hidden paths
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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tenryuji Temple (admission paid)
Monkey Park (20-25 hike) paid
Bamboo Forest
Knowledgeable & Bilingual Tour Guide
Okochi Sanso
Togetsukyo Bridge
Tips (accepted & welcomed)
Lunch & Dinner
Pick up not available
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.
Options
Group Tour
Starting point:
Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
Fushimi & Arashiyama
Okochi Sanso Garden excluded
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
Private (Prize per Group Size)
Reviews
1,092 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour of Kyoto
kerynb2024,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best tour guide ever!!! Teri was fantastic, she had great information to share and equally great recommendations for food in the area. She gave plenty of opportunities to ask questions and was the perfect blend of humours and knowledgeable. Would absolutely recommend this tour and Teri to anybody considering a tour in Kyoto.
Glory of nature
Melahi P,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The glory of nature in the green bamboo forest and in the almost- autumn leaves of trees in the gardens! Our guide, Aron, had surprise stops for us, to sake tasting and the kimono park. We walked through alternative, less crowded routes and covered more sites without feeling rushed. A great guide, a great tour!
Fantastic experience
Steve P,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour. Beautiful shrines, gardens, great background from Teri at each stop. The monkey experience was a hoot but it’s a serious uphill trek. Teri prepared us well and there were no issues with the wild roaming monkeys. She was knowledgeable, always looking out for us, and spoke up so all could hear.
Awesome experience
K3221IXgeorgiap,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Teri was amazing! So insightful and a great sense of humour. Made the day so much fun. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a walk!
November monkey park
saracZ3272NP,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terry was so good! She was so thoughtful and knew her history. She's also funny and sweet. She has great recommendations!
Amazing tour of western Kyoto
Pioneer54110005658,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was one of the most informative and experiential I have taken. The tea house was quite serene and scenic, and feeding the macques (especially the babies!) was really cool. We received history lessons at each stop about the storied past at each one. Teri was a great guide and took care of the group well. Highly recommend!
recomended
877fabienneh,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Maricel was very welcoming and did a very good job in giving us a good tour with helpful information while taking good care of everyone. Additionally Mari turned out to be a super good fotographer. We had enough time everywhere and I liked especially the beautiful garden with the unlimited green tea. I don't know how to feel about the monkey hill as many tourists who were there went kind of crazy not respecting the rules in regard to the monkeys. However, thank you very much for the good tour.
Wonderful Tour!
Michelle S,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went on this tour with a group of 5 friends and we had a great time! Maricel was a wonderful guide! She was friendly, humorous, and knowledgeable. She was also a great photographer- she took several fantastic photos of our group. The bamboo forest, temples, and monkey park did not disappoint- they were beautiful and we had a lot of fun!
Wonderful tour!!
heather r,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour! Terri was amazing, helpful, interesting and made the day special. Would definitely recommend.
Useful small group tour in a crowded tourist center
Robert G,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This covers many major highlights starting at Arashiyama which is a major tourist destination/ hub for popular sites. The “trap” to be aware of is that there are 3 stations with the name “Arashiyama” and they are not close together! Our tour was to start in “Saga Arashiyama” - we ended up in the other 2 “Ashiyana” stations in error before finally finding our group a few minutes after starting, thanks to our guide Teri. “Saga Arashiyama” is the fastest connection from Kyoto Station - 25 mins - instead of the 45 mins by bus plus an extra 40 minutes of walking to join the group. The tour was excellent and well worthwhile for the sights covered.
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