Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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
Private (Prize per Group Size)
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
Reviews
1,107 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun times and an excellent tour! We had a great time with Oisin and Teri. Secret paths and good stories
Greg R,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Oisin and Teri guided us through all the best spots in Arashiyama! Excellent day! Great history and secret paths! Thank you
Arashiyama Tour
807kaelins,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marie was a great tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and funny & provided plenty of self exploration time. We would highly recommend this tour.
Best tour in Kyoto
vond839,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari is the best guide ever, she’s so funny and knowledgeable. The best tour in Japan so far, highly recommend 100% I wise there were more stars to give.
Lovely Fall colours!!
J3935TXwilliaml,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maria was a fun and informative tour guide. She spoke clearly, told us lots of cultural facts. Our group of 8 enjoyed the tour. We saw some lovely Fall colours on the trees. The Bamboo forest was lovely. Thank you!’ Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Great tour!
rastafaraus,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were guided by Maricel. She’s fun, and very knowledgeable about the places we visited. She’s also a fab photographer, my sister and I ended up with great photos taken by her! We really enjoyed the whole tour. The only small note we have is that sometimes the walking sections felt a bit rushed. It would be great to have a moment to take in the scenery along the way, not just when we arrive at the main spots.
Mari is excellent
E4165BKjohna,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari was an excellent guide on our tour in Kyoto! She was very insightful and taught myself and my family lots about the different locations we visited, as well as helped take some amazing photos! Overall the experience was outstanding and my family and I had an amazing time!
Simply amazing and fun filled
Trail28089139510,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing and Marisol was simply incredible. Really thoroughly enjoyed the group. It was a small group and we had a wonderful time.
Our tour Guide Teri was extremely knowledgeable very friendly and nothing was a hassle for her
vicki-anne g,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We learnt about more things than we could of imagined on this tour our guide was extremely helpful and knew a lot about the History
Until lunch very interesting
Ben B,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour is especially interesting until lunch with nice additions by Maricel. The 2nd part after lunch is actually unnecessary. You can also go to the snowmonkeys yourself.
Bamboo forrest
rachaelm270,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First trip to Japan, Marie our guide was a delight to follow along. Full of insight, fun and jokes and just a ray of sunshine.
From $69.97
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