Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tenryuji Temple (admission paid)
Bamboo Forest
Fushimi Inari (Combo Tour only)
Knowledgeable & Bilingual Tour Guide
Okochi Sanso (Arashiyama Tour only)
Togetsukyo Bridge
Monkey Park (20-25 hike) admission paid
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
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
1,153 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience with a lot of history along the way.
pattW9764XL,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience was fantastic. Our tour guide Marie was well in-depth with her knowledge of the area and history. The length of the tour was perfect with plenty of walking in and around the forest as well as up the mountain to see the monkeys
Monkey adventure
zbigniewkU1111HQ,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari is an excellent guide. Highly recommend. The tour brought us a lot of joy, Do not hesitate just book the trip. happiness and laughter. Mei and Zibi
Lot of walking
aquabaj,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice informative tour guid spoke perfect English. Lot of walking but worth it. We where able to cover a lot of sights the bamboo forest and the monkeys were the highlight
Hiking
Navigate65370642139,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It’s great experience with tourist guide Teri , close to nature trip especially hiking on the monkey mountain , have a good view of Kyoto
Great walking tour with Teri.
mandychan46,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Walking tour versus bus tour was great. Teri was a great guide walking in an easy to follow pace and giving us good historical backgrounds. My favorite was the bamboo forest. Teri gave us good information on the walking/hiking difficulty. I enjoyed the walking tour and would highly recommend.
Great experience
Bladimir R,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was really good. Our guide Marie was very kind, knowledgable and happy to answer all my questions. Really enjoyed the tour.
Awesome Tour!
190elisabetr,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Marie, was a wonderful and amazing guide as well as knowledgeable, keeping us informed about Kyoto’s history. Would definitely recommend doing this tour while being in Kyoto.
Lovely tour
Pamela B,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice way to spend a day with nature. Bamboo forest was peaceful, interesting shrine and temple and the monkeys were lots of fun to watch. Our guide Maricel was excellent and very knowledgeable
Bamboo forest & monkey park w/friendly guide
G3239INjanetr,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From 10am to 3pm, everything went great. I definitely recommend Marie as a tour guide. She even took some nice photos for everyone at a few scenic spots. There’s a lot of walking, and the hike up to see the monkeys is a bit of a trek, but totally worth it.
Beautiful sight
NorthStar46297969422,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marisol (Marie) was our guide and she was great. Very funny and informative about each part of the tour. This tour is very well paced, highly recommended.
From US$69.97
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