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)
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
Bamboo Forest
Tenryuji Temple (admission paid)
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
Private (Prize per Group Size)
Fushimi not included
Arashiyama Group Tour
Starting point:
Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
Reviews
1,517 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bamboo forest and monkeys
Melissa M,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour and informative guide’
Extremely friendly guide
ryanjQ4096WK,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari was the friendliest guide you’ll ever want to have. She was very accommodating and helpful with sending me a fresh link for meeting up with the group at the next checkpoint since I was late due to my train being delayed at one of its stops for an onboard inspection. It felt like I didn’t miss a beat. Also, she was proactive with taking pics of the group members at all the pertinent stops on the tour.
Best tour of our trip!
Carlene T,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Janelle, helped make this the best tour of our entire trip. She shared lots of interesting information and worked HARD to make our day great. As we drew nearer to ticket booths along the way, she would run ahead to grab our tickets so they were ready for us when we arrived shortly behind her. English is her first language so she was easy to understand. Definitely do this experience and if you can, ask for Janelle :)
Mari is the BEST guide!!!
Laura B,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour of Arasiyama bamboo forest with our lovely guide Mari!!! We met at a small train stop where it was easy to meet the other group members. Once gathered, we walked to the Bamboo forest where Mari shared insight on several sites. She is warm and engaging, and taught us several photography tips! We enjoyed tea overlooking a beautiful garden, then went through the famous path of bamboo, before visiting another garden. She brought us to a group of restaurants so we could select our lunch (highly recommend Naritaya sushi bar!) before ending the tour at the famous money hill. Highly recommend the tour and Mari as your guide!
Great tour with Marie
Andrea G,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Marie was lovely and made the tour very enjoyable. She had a great sense of humour and was energetic and kept the tour interesting.
Day tour Jo and Geoffrey
joanneg324,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We completed our tour today with Oisin. He made the tour so enjoyable and fun. He was very informative with all the information about the sites we saw. He helped with photos for each of the group. I would highly recommend this tour and if you get Oisin as the guide you cannot go wrong.
Excellent tour with lots of variety
John W,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Marie. She was very knowledgeable and took us to a variety of spots mostly avoiding crowds. As a bonus she took great pics. Highly recommend!
Worth every penny.
Dreamer24879163751,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Mari was terrific. Well organized. Good communication before the tour. Provided great information during the tour ( history, culture). Mari was funny and help us with pictures.
Fushimi Arashiyama combo tour.
Rocs70,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jay was our tour guide. Very sweet and professional. 5 star!!!
Great Tour!
Lynn S,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Teri was an amazing guide. She was personable, knowledgeable, humorous, and made the whole experience fun!
From ¥12,500
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Japanify Tours