Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Fushimi-Inari and Arashiyama
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Early morning is the key to avoid the crowds during peak tourist seasons! Hit three of the top historical attractions, Fushimi-Inari Shrine, Bamboo Grove, and Tenryu-ji Temple with our English speaking tour guide!
⚠️ Prior to the tour, please ensure that WhatsApp or SMS is available for easy communication. Our tour guide will use these platforms to contact you.
⚠️ Please note: The earlier the start time, the fewer crowds we will encounter—if you value a peaceful, uncrowded experience, we recommend booking the earliest time slots available.
✅ This is an English Guided Walking Tour which requires about 9,000 steps. We will use public transportation to visit each location(transportation fee NOT included).
✅ Visit Three Highlights, Fushimi-Inari-Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove, Tenryu-ji Zen-Buddhism Temple.
✅ Learn about the rich history of each location with our friendly and knowledgeable guide.
✅ Receive travel tips and good restaurant recommendations from our guide.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tenryu-ji Temple
Admission Fee-Tenryu-ji Temple
Togetsu-kyo Bridge
Bamboo Forest
Fushimi-Inari Shrine
English-Speaking Guide
Transportation Fee
Food and Drink
Hotel Pick-Up or Drop-Off
What To Expect
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Discover the spiritual heart of Kyoto at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates. Hike through the enchanting paths that lead up Mount Inari, surrounded by a deep sense of history, spirituality and nature. This iconic Shinto shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, agriculture, and business. Visitors come to pray for success, health, and happiness while exploring smaller shrines, stone fox statues, and scenic viewpoints.
Bamboo Forest Street
Step into a world of tranquility and natural beauty at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto. Wander through towering bamboo groves that stretch towards the sky, creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. As sunlight filters through the dense canopy, the soft rustle of bamboo leaves and the gentle sway of the tall stalks will transport you to a place of peace and reflection.
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Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Fushimi-Inari and Arashiyama
Reviews
191 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Early Bird Tour
Maria H,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time with Caleb. He was very knowledgeable about the places we went to and more. I would do this tour again with family next time we are back in Kyoto. Early morning is the way to go to visit these sites as they get filled up with so many people later in the day. Definitely recommend!
Excellent Guide and Beautiful Sights – Highly Recommended!
Buser-DK,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We joined the Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Fushimi-Inari and Arashiyama and had an absolutely fantastic experience! Our guide was excellent – full of knowledge about the sights, history, and culture, and also gave us great insights into modern Japanese life. Everything was shared in a light, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere. We were a family of four with two adult children, and we all highly recommend this tour!
Had a great time
56chandnis,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible time. Both Hiro and Aari were lovely guides. It felt like we were with friends who took us around their city for a tour. We learnt a lot about their culture and are taking some beautiful memories with us.
Kyoto Tour
Martin S,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is about a sightseeing adventure with a little shopping time. We revisited two sights the next day, in order to do more hiking and shopping.
Excellent tour , that you should do
Adriana G,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour , should not miss this tour Both places were beautiful and our guide Caleb was very nice with lots of knowledge
Do the earliest tour!
Caroline S,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed an informative tour with Hiro. It was raining throughout the morning but it did not dampen the tour at all. Hiro was waiting for us right on time, was clear in the days leading up to the tour about where to meet him and the tour included everything that was mentioned. We really enjoyed getting to know Hiro a little bit, chatting during walks and on the train. He was very accommodating and gave us helpful tips about various things.
INteresting, varied morning in Kyoto
Socksthecat2017,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a wonderful morning with Hiroshi, who was well read, knew his subject well and was very enthusiastic about the places we saw. Was amazing to hear about Fushimi Inari, the practice of Shintoism from HIroshi. We had a lovely walk through the Bamboo forests of arashiyama and the temple and beautiful gardens of Tenryu ji! Was also interesting to hear about the kinds of zen gardens and the meaning behind the different elements. Thanks HIroshi for a very interesting moring. By the end of the tour, it felt like having a friend in Kyoto!
The Best Tour!!
torisO3561LP,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was so excited for Fushimi-Inari and Arashiyama. It was my "pick" for our vacation. It was beyond anything I could imagine. Vincent and Masaki were the perfect guides! They were both so knowledgeable, kind and fun to hang out with. They made sure to take things slow for my 60 year old mother. They made sure to answer all of our questions and gave us a chance for breaks. Exchanging knowledge about western culture with Masaki was a lot of fun! Vincent went even more out of his way after the tour to do research and give us suggestions for ramen (the best ramen we've had!!) and good places to shop. They definitely made that tour the highlight of our trip!! Request Vincent or Masaki and you won't be disappointed!!
If You’re Tight on Time Tour with Tammy
rebeccarD9376SB,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tammy was our tour guide for a morning tour and she was lovely company and a guide on our first day exploring Kyoto. I was expecting a full tour but it was just the two of us and Tammy! We’ve been in Japan for over a week and she explained cultural questions we had, as well as giving us insight into Japanese culture and history that even after a week of being here were new to us. She made sure we took great photos of us which was lovely as it is our honeymoon. As someone who plans it was great to switch off for the day and have someone else take the lead. It’s totally possible to do this without a guide but I imagine it’s way more stressful. The locations are popular tourist destinations and it’s great to have someone who knows shortcuts and fun facts or even simply the right platforms for trains. Both of these locations could easily be two separate day trips but we were able to fit them into a morning! I wouldn’t want to spend any more time at either location to be honest. It can be super overwhelming on your own I imagine and having a guide was a great ‘speed run’ through the must see sites. There’s an option at the end of the tour to stay around the area but we chose to take the train back to Kyoto (utterly knackered). Truly an efficient and lovely morning thank you Tammy :)
Great tour and guide!
E8659AFabigailm,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome private tour with Caleb. He knew so much about Japan’s history and culture and we were able to learn a lot. We really appreciated his perspective and hearing about his family’s history and connection to Japan. All the sites were so cool to see and going early was definitely worth it to avoid heavy crowds. Definitely recommend!
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Operated by Tomodachi Tours