Kyoto · ARASHIYAMA TOURS

The 15 Best Arashiyama Tours

77 tours  ·  from $25 a head

The bamboo grove is busiest by mid-morning, so the timing decides the day. These 15 cover the walks, the rickshaws and the bike rides out west, priced and clear about how early they leave.

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Kiyomizu-dera’s terrace and city views
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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

1.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned coach to Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari, with a brief pass by Nijo Castle. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with multilingual audio guidance available. Entry tickets are included for four sites, and you can add a Japanese buffet lunch.

“This tour checked all my boxes. It helped me see many destinations that were far apart from each other and provided some helpful context to the sites. Felt like we had enough time at each place too! Our guide, Nagomi, was energetic and friendly, making the tour a great experience overall.”

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Osaka/Kyoto:Kinkakuji,Arashiyama,FushimiInariShrine,NaraPark - Tōdai-ji and the Great Buddha
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Osaka/Kyoto:Kinkakuji,Arashiyama,FushimiInariShrine,NaraPark

2.Kinkakuji,Arashiyama,FushimiInariShrine,NaraPark

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,596 reviews · from $66

Travel by air-conditioned bus to Nara Park and Tōdai-ji, Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. An English- or Chinese-speaking guide handles the route and meeting times. Choose an optional Kobe beef shabu-shabu lunch on Osaka departures, or use the longer Arashiyama stop to find lunch yourself.

“Harry went out of his way to accommodate us over and over. He was so enthusiastic and kind! It was a long day, but so wonderful. Thank you!”

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Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour - Nara Park and its deer
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Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

3.Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,275 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $52

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Osaka or Kyoto to Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Arashiyama. An English- or Chinese-speaking guide handles the route and timing, while you explore each stop on foot. Expect deer, shrine gates, bamboo, temples and free time for food or extra sights. Tenryu-ji admission costs extra.

“Fiona was an amazing guide and made sure we had all the information prior and during the activity, which made the experience smooth! 100% would recommend”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets - Nonomiya Shrine and the bamboo path
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

4.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65Top rated

Spend about five to six hours walking Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 12. Visit Nonomiya Shrine, the Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryu-ji and Monkey Park Iwatayama. Admission is included at the named sites. Guides have included Teri, Marie and Mari; the hilltop monkey park requires a steep 20 to 25 minute hike.

“This tour did a great job of covering the multiple places of interest in the Arashiyama district. Terry was fantastic at explaining and giving information about each specific highlight. She was fun, engaging and quick to address our questions.”

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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery - Bamboo, shrine and garden
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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

5.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 886 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $87

Spend about five hours on foot in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, with a guide such as Karim, Tom, Francis or Toru. Visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden and Tenryuji Temple, then choose between the monkey park route and a sake brewery option. Expect cultural context, scenic stops and a steady walk.

“We had a fantastic time Tom is an excellent guide. He was so knowledgeable and took everything at a nice easy pace. We had the benefit of a small group, so it was able to answer all our questions . The tour covered some lovely areas and we saw things that we definitely would have missed. I would definitely recommend it to anybody visiting Kyoto .”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour - A brief walk through Arashiyama’s bamboo
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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

6.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53

Explore Arashiyama on a four to four-and-a-half-hour guided walk, with Tenryu-ji admission, an Uji matcha drink and entry to Monkey Park Iwatayama included. You’ll visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine and Togetsukyo Bridge, then climb to the macaques and panoramic city views. Guides such as Tim, Nay and Gabriele have led groups here, though your guide may vary.

“Watching those wild Japanese macaques up close was endlessly entertaining! Their social interactions and playful behavior kept everyone laughing. The city views from Monkey Park were spectacular too. Perfect combination of nature and scenery.”

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Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch - Arashiyama’s bamboo grove
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Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

7.Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 754 reviews · from $61

Visit Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari on a roughly nine-hour bus tour from Osaka or Kyoto. Lunch at the 120-year-old Kyoto Wasabi townhouse includes Kobe beef, pork or vegetarian curry. Your guide speaks English or Chinese, and free time at each stop lets you explore at your own pace.

“Gary's kindness and attentiveness were highly appreciated. The itinerary was consistently adhered to, and the destinations were exceptional, with Gary's recommendations proving valuable.”

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Kyoto: Nijo, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu & Fushimi Inari - Kinkaku-ji: the Golden Pavilion
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Kyoto: Nijo, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu & Fushimi Inari

8.Nijo, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu & Fushimi Inari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 699 reviews · from $51

Start at 7:00 am for a full-day bus tour of Kyoto’s headline sights, from Arashiyama’s bamboo path to Fushimi Inari’s vermilion gates. An English and Spanish-speaking guide provides commentary, with free time at each stop. Admission to Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera depends on the package you choose; premium includes lunch.

“It was a full day, starting early and finishing late. The organisation was super, and commentary great. Plus time to explore by yourself. All sights visited were fantastic. Highly recommend this tour. Hats off to the guides and driver for keeping high energy all day.”

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Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night - Stories that make the walk
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Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night

9.Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 625 reviews · from $43Best value

Meet your guide outside Saga-Arashiyama Station, pick up a drink, then walk through Arashiyama as the daylight crowds thin. Expect local ghost stories, urban legends, true-crime themes, and a short solo walk in the dark bamboo forest. Groups are capped at 12. Guides have included Aron, Aaron, Zowee, and Kalle, though the guide on your date may differ.

“As a horror fan, I knew this was something I had to book. First off, our tour guide Aron was great - he was a great story teller and a great guide overall. Second off, the stories he told were pretty spooky, but the walk by yourself was even spookier! I don’t want to say too much to give anything away, but I would 110% recommend this if you’re a fan of scary stuff and have time to book it during your time in Kyoto!”

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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) - Walking the Bamboo Forest Street
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

10.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · from $106

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private, three-to-four-hour ride through the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji’s Sogenchi garden, quieter temple lanes, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Your English-speaking guide supplies a Cannondale city bike, helmet, and water, and shares local culture and history along the way.

“Loved this experience. We had a family of 4 (2 teens). Pace was relaxing and easy. There was a nice mixture of stops (Temples, bamboo forest, rice fields, ice cream stop etc...). Cass was our guide and was very knowledgeable about the history at each site. He also was attentive to ensure everyone was hydrated and brought electrolyte tab for everyone (which I was very thankful for as I rushed out of the hotel and forgot ours). Hands down recommend am tour and Cass!”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest - Longer routes reach temples and quieter lanes
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Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

11.Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 432 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Start near Togetsu-kyo Bridge for a private rickshaw ride through Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and quiet lanes. Choose 45 minutes or up to 3 hours and 10 minutes, with longer routes reaching Nonomiya Shrine, Rakushisya’s cottage and temples such as Nison-in. Guides including Aki, Koki, Shin and Yoshi have led tours, shared local stories and taken photos along the way.

“All the staff were very friendly and helpful. We did a 45 minute ride. It was pouring with rain and very busy everywhere but they covered us in blankets and a rainproof cover over our legs so we kept fairly dry. The rickshaws have their own path through the bamboo so it’s much quieter than the pedestrian route. They stopped to take pictures of us. Definitely worth it to avoid the crowds”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour - Lunch Near Togetsukyo Bridge
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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

12.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · from $129

Walk Arashiyama with a certified MagicalTrip guide and no more than six other people. The five-hour route links Hokyoin’s garden, the bamboo grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryu-ji and the Katsura River. Temple and garden entry, a Kyoto-style lunch, matcha with a snack, and tour photos are included. Guides such as Josh, Yuki and Ayuri have led the walk.

“Great way to see the Arashiyama area. There’s so much more to see than the bamboo grove and it’s worth exploring. This tour helps to avoid many of the crowded areas.”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest - The walk into the famous grove
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Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

13.Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $86

A private, 1- to 2-hour Arashiyama outing combines a rickshaw ride on bamboo-lined paths with a short walk into the grove, where rickshaws cannot go. You pass Nonomiya Shrine and can tailor the route to the time you book. Guides such as Yoshi, Ocean and Hikaru are praised for clear English, local stories and thoughtful photos. Early morning is best for lighter crowds.

“A unique tour. So enjoyable and learnt so much about Temples and Shrines. Beautiful scenery. Tour guide had perfect English.”

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Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots - Starting at Saga-Arashiyama Station
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Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

14.Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $106

Explore Arashiyama on a standard city bike with an English-speaking bilingual guide, then walk up to Iwatayama Monkey Park for a chance to see Japanese macaques and views over Kyoto. The four-hour afternoon tour also visits the Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji’s Sogenchi Garden and Togetsukyo Bridge. Bike, helmet, water and admission fees are included.

“Such a wonderful day! Better than we expected. From the temples and shrines to the monkey park and surprises along the way - Ray was incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto and Japanese culture overall - making the experience one of our best days yet (even in the intensely humid July).”

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Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park - Arashiyama’s bamboo path and river views
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Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

15.Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 265 reviews · from $69

This full-day outing links Arashiyama’s bamboo path, Kyoto’s gold-covered Kinkaku-ji, and Nara Park with its free-roaming deer and Todaiji’s Great Buddha. An English-speaking guide handles the route and shares local context. Guides vary by date; past groups have been led by Eiko, Yuki, Lydia, and Hama. Lunch and temple tickets depend on the option you book.

“Good example of a perfect guided day trip. Entertaining, informative, beautiful scenery, not too packed schedule. Eiko is an amazing and very knowledgeable guide, she provided us with background information on all the sites while traveling + a detailed plan in case anyone got lost and needed to find their way back. On top of that, she was able to get the whole group deer crackers in Nara at 4pm when all the stores had already been sold out. Thanks so much for the unforgettable experience!”

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