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
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
Group Tour
Starting point:
Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
Private (Prize per Group Size)
Reviews
1,281 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful and interesting tour with Teri as guide!
Tina Å,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic walking tour in Arashiyama with Teri as a guide! Teri had a lot of knowledge of nature, history and culture . We got some new insights of Japan as well as seeing Beautiful nature and historia places! We could recommend Teri and the tour to anyone.
Fun and seamless tour!
mariandN3092RI,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Oisin was a great guide! We had a fantastic time. We saw and learned things we would not have otherwise. Oisin was engaging, and it was a well-organized good time!
Monkey Park tour in Kyoto
Daniel W,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing and the monkeys were my favourite part. Terri was well informed and very accomodating throughout the tour. She is incredibly friendly and helpful!
Monkey tour!
parietalp,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I enjoyed seeing the monkeys! Teri was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable about Japanese History!
A nice overview of some of Kyoto’s highlights
adriansO4141SC,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Teri was very informative and very happy to answer questions. We also enjoyed having lunch with her
Amazing and beautiful walking tour filled with history, beauty, nature, culture.
Connector743958,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely loved this tour! You will learn so much history of Japan, differences between temples and shrines, will pass by multiple of them and can pay respects. The bamboo forest was absolutely beautiful, and you learned a lot of its history and the significance of the bamboo to the Japanese. Okochi Sansa is definitely worth it and probably is even more beautiful in the spring when the tree blossoms are blooming! Our guide Marie took creative photos on our phones and went above and beyond to make the tour so special! Monkeyland was so cool as well and was so fun seeing the view up there and just watching all the baby monkeys play around with the adults. If you up, there is quite amazing. You can pretty much see all of Kyoto and a bunch of the mountains! Highly recommend!
Bamboo, gardens and monkey Kyoto experience
916aggelikik,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great guided tour! Our guide Oisin was very knowledgeable and shared a lot about the history of the sites we visited! We visited 3 areas of the bamboo forest the near temple, a beautiful garden and the monkey park! Oisin was very attentive of everyone recommending a great food court were we had a great lunch break! Highly recommend this tour! Spent about 5 1/2 hours, just the right time either plenty of breaks and easy going for a family!
Thank you Japanify
andreaeU1311XU,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marie was fun and knowledgeable. The price was right, the sites were fabulous.
Great time as a solo traveler!
H155LEamandam,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Janiel was a great guide! I had a great time! She was very knowledgeable and fun to be around! Also took great photos for me since I was alone.
A fabulous day
omearal,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fabulous day with Oisin. He was knowledgeable, shared some great stories, kept us well informed and entertained and took us to some wonderful places.
-6% off
From US$65.57Was US$69.97
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