Private Tour
Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama & Monkey
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Start your morning with two of Kyoto’s most iconic sights — the peaceful torii gates of Fushimi Inari and the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. By beginning early, you can experience their beauty in a calm, uncrowded atmosphere before the daytime rush. Then, visit Monkey Park, where you can feed the monkeys and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto. Throughout the tour, your English-speaking local guide will share fascinating stories about the city’s history and culture, capture beautiful photos, and ensure a smooth and unforgettable half-day adventure!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, using public transportation and plenty of time on foot to explore Kyoto.
If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto's most iconic Shrines, known for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that form scenic pathways up the forested Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and prosperity.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama has been a popular destination since the Heian period (794–1185), when nobles came here to enjoy the beautiful seasonal scenery. The area is especially famous for cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn. The Bamboo Grove is one of Arashiyama’s most iconic spots. Walking through the tall, swaying bamboo creates a peaceful and almost otherworldly experience. In the past, bamboo was also used for tools and building materials in daily life.
What‘s Included
Professional Photos will be Taken During the Tour!
Passionate Local English-Speaking Guide
Public Transportation Fare
Admission Fee: Monkey Park Iwatayama
Food and Drinks
Options
Private Tour
Private Tour: Our private tour offers a flexible schedule and a relaxed pace for a personalized experience!
Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour: Our small group tours are thoughtfully designed to offer participants an efficient and enriching experience of Kyoto!
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Thank you Ikki! We will do this again with family and friends on our next trip back! Best tour ever!
Stay19391287183,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful private half-day tour by Ikki! He was knowledgeable, explained things well, thoughtful, respectful and attentive. Early Bird Tour is the time to go! Nice not to be rushed and at places before the crowd. Enjoyed the short train rides, walks and moderate hike; Fushimi Inari-taisha Temple, Aroshiyama Bamboo Forest, Kimono Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge and River and Monkey Park were so much more enjoyable because of Ikki! Thankful for his photos! (Glad there were benches to rest on the hike to Monkey Park.) Also appreciate his restaurant recommendations! Our first trip to Japan! We will do this tour again on our next trip back. Thank you Ikki!
Great tour
timothy D,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Interesting/informative activity and although I'm not an early riser, starting @ 7 am helped with both crowds and temperature as a fair amount of hiking. Ikki was a superb guide in every respect.
Shrine & monkey tour a must!!!
jenrS7927OQ,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a tour of a lifetime!! Ikke our tour guide was so incredibly knowledgeable and fun! I was with my sister and our teenage boys. Our boys really enjoyed how easy going he was and is knowledge of Japan. This is a must do day!! Thank you Ikke!!!
Highly recommend the Kyoto early bird tour!
laurakD6373YF,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this tour. You get to enjoy Fushimi Inari before the crowds and then enjoy a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before going to see the Japanese monkeys. Our tour guide, Ikki, was very knowledgeable on the sites we visited and the many questions we had for him on Japan. He took great photos of our group throughout the tour and shared them along with recommendations for restaurants and activities for us on the rest of our trip. On the tour my son lost his wallet on a train and Ikki was quick to sort out its retrieval. Thank you for such a fun tour Ikki. We really enjoyed our time with you!!
Cultural and nature tour of Kyoto
418seemah,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was extremely engaging and we enjoyed the experience. DK our guide was very thoughtful and knowledgeable. He made sure that we were comfortable.
Fantastic tour of Arashiyama area!
Seaside44840165881,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This time I joined a tour with friends to explore the Arashiyama area of Kyoto that I hadn't been able to visit last year. The guide not only possessed deep knowledge but also took many photos for us. Also, the guide told me that there's a special nighttime illumination only in October, so you absolutely must go at night too!
The Perfect Way to Start the Day in Kyoto!
160samm,,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This Early Bird Tour was absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we met our guides- Ikki and DK, it was clear we were in for something special. They were not only incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also impressively knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gems. Starting the day at Fushimi Inari Shrine before the crowds was magical — walking through the thousands of iconic torii gates in the quiet morning light felt like stepping into a dream. DK shared fascinating stories and facts that added so much depth to the experience. Next, we headed to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which was stunning and serene at that early hour. Again, we beat the crowds, which made it feel even more special. The guides pointed out details and perspectives I would have totally missed on my own. And finishing the morning with a visit to the Iwatayama Monkey Park was so much fun! Seeing the monkeys up close, combined with the breathtaking views over Kyoto, was the perfect way to wrap up the tour. If you're visiting Kyoto and want to make the most of your morning, I can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s well-paced, thoughtfully planned, and led by people who truly love what they do. A highlight of my trip! The earlier the better, as we were leaving it was getting crowded!
The Best Way to Discover Kyoto!
ChristinaSers,,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour in Kyoto was absolutely unforgettable thanks to our amazing guide, Ikki! He took us to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Bamboo Forest, and the Monkey Park. His explanations were clear, engaging, and filled with fascinating details that really brought the history and culture of Kyoto to life. Both my husband and I learned so much about the city—not just about the landmarks, but also about daily life, traditions, and hidden gems we would have otherwise missed. He was friendly, attentive, and made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. We left with wonderful memories and a much deeper appreciation of Kyoto. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a truly enriching experience!
Iconic spots in a half day!
Roam62669565850,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Another tour was so good that we decided to join another tour with the same company. This tour takes you to all of Kyoto’s iconic spots: Fushimi Inari shrine(1000 Torii gates), Arashiyama(bamboo forest) and the monkey park. At the monkey park, you can feed the monkeys, making it a truly fun experience. It’s especially recommended for families with young 👦
You can visit the famous spots efficiently before the crowds!
Curious19753284395,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined Ikki’s tour again and brought my friends this time because I had such a great experience with him last year! This time, he took us to the Arashiyama area, which we had to skip on our previous visit due to time constraints. By starting early, we were able to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. The monkey park requires about a 20-minute hike, but it’s worth the effort because you get the rare chance to feed wild monkeys!
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