Ultimate Kyoto Arashiyama Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secret
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Join the Arashiyama walking tour ranked in the top 1% worldwide by TripAdvisor for 2026. 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
Arashiyama Group Tour
Starting point: Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
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
Reviews
1,556 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kyoto Bamboo and the monkeys
julie topiary,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous experience, from start to finish our guide Janiel was so full of fun and knowledge. We experienced so much and met some lovely people from all over the world, would definitely recommend this tour whatever your age !
Get Osin for your guide!
naborm157,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Osin was a fantastic tour guide, showed us some amazing views, took us to great eats, and took great pics of us! Had a great time seeing Kyoto and the bamboo forest. 5/5 experience and definitely recommend!
Arashiyama experiences
abirnkrant,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marie was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and informative. She made the experience wonderful and great fun
Great tour
Silvina G,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari was an amazing guide! I really enjoyed all her insights, she also is a great photografer. Highly recommended tour 🤍
The Best Way to See Arashiyama
285rohitr,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went on a small group tour with Mari. We saw the Arashiyama bamboo forest and shrines, had lunch and then went on a moderate hike up to the monkey park. We were able to see some great views at the spots around the bamboo forest and stopped at a local place to sample various teas/calpis. The hike up the mountain to see the monkeys was tiring but watching the monkeys' antics at the top was well worth it. Mari did a good job showing us around and was enthusiastic and animated throughout the whole tour. She helped with taking good pictures at the different sites we went to. I loved the tour overall and thought it was a good contrast to shopping mall aesthetic of other parts of Kyoto.
Monkeys and stuff
p0liticalg,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Monkey mountain was a lot of fun. We saw baby monkeys!!!! Worth the time and effort if you're semi in shape to climb to the top. Jay was fun
A very nice way to spend a day
Alexandra R,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Janelle was amazing. She was almost as interesting as the tour itself. The tour was great and the weather was really nice. It was nice that we didn’t need to take a bus or a car. It was all walking. Getting to the monkeys was physically tiring but do-able. It was great to get out of downtown Kyoto and into more of nature. Very glad we did the tour.
A beautiful place to explore
925belindak,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Terri was brilliant. She was great with our kids. Gave us amble time to explore and her knowledge was amazing. Highly recommend this tour
I’m a first time solo traveler and 1st time to Japan. I’m thankful for these group trips
K399KKjuliee,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am terrible w the train and I was coming from Osaka to Kyoto. My tour girlie Maria was so helpful! I was ready to just do my own tour! She called to check on me. She was so helpful! Tour was so beautiful and amazing! Thank you Marie for all your help. I’m glad I was able to join! Well worth it! Every stop was amazing and so glad as a solo traveler to be w a nice group of people.
Great experience
minikl2025,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and fun tour, you get to see some great buildings, views and such, the monkeys are very cute
From ¥12,000
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Japanify Tours