The 10 Kyoto Hiking Tours Most Visitors Pick

1.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63Our pick

Follow a certified local guide on a roughly 7km forest hike to Fushimi Inari-taisha, approaching its famous torii gates by quieter trails. Expect a bamboo grove, a small shrine, uphill sections and views toward Fushimi-Momoyama Castle. Groups are capped at seven, tour photos are included, and guides have included Naru, Yuko, Josh and Emi.

“Our family (including my husband and adult children) absolutely loved the Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour. The scenery was stunning from start to finish, and what made it especially memorable was approaching the iconic torii gates from the back. The trail was quiet, peaceful, and far from the crowds — we got to enjoy the gates nearly all to ourselves, which felt truly special. We also hiked through a beautiful, serene bamboo forest that was a highlight in itself. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting history about the gates, even reading some of the inscriptions for us. It added a meaningful layer to the experience. Highly recommended if…”

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2.3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 270 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Starting near Tofukuji Station, this three-hour, roughly 7-kilometer hike follows forest trails and bamboo groves toward Mount Inari’s shrines and famous vermilion gates. An English-speaking local guide shares shrine customs, helps you find photo spots and takes pictures during the tour. Groups are capped at nine; expect hills, steps and uneven paths.

“Tour was excellent guide was knowledgeable and engaging, was exactly as promised of route with some people once getting to the more popular areas”

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3.Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $191

Spend about eight hours hiking from Kurama toward Kibune with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Yuki Shrine, Kurama-dera and Kifune Shrine, hear mountain folklore and Reiki’s connection to Mount Kurama, and take in forest scenery. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but lunch is not. Expect stairs, uneven paths and a moderate level of effort.

“Ryoma was amazing from start to finish. He was very personable and well informed about the history of Mount Kurama. We thoroughly enjoyed our hike up the mountain and the rest of our day with him, including a delicious soba lunch- highly recommend!”

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4.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $80

Ride the Eizan railway from Kyoto to the mountain villages of Kibune and Kurama, then hike a forest trail past shrines and up to Kurama Temple. Your English- or French-speaking guide shares local history and legends. The four-hour outing ends in Kurama, where you can eat, explore, or pay extra for the hot spring.

“Phillip was a fantastic guide! Knowledgeable, down to earth, and fun. He knew all the cool people most people don’t know about. Plus, the views and history are excellent. I’d highly recommend taking this tour!”

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5.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hike (Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $62

This three-hour private walk begins near Tofukuji and follows quieter Mount Inari trails through bamboo and vermilion gates before reaching Fushimi Inari’s main shrine. Your English-speaking Kyoto guide explains local history and Shinto, helps you navigate, and can take complimentary DSLR photos. The walk starts at 8:30 am and ends at the shrine’s Romon Gate.

“Louis was a great tour leader on this walking excursion in April 2025. His route allowed us to have a quiet hike through some beautiful places on the way to the bustling peaks and torii passages. Louis explained some of the history and mythRead more”

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6.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour（Hidden Temples）

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $52Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a three-hour walk through the bamboo forest, up the mountain for Kyoto views, and on to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, known for its 8,000 Buddhist statues. The group is capped at five. The hike is a real workout, and the temple’s 500-yen admission fee is extra.

“This was such a great tour, it was like 3 different activities in one! We started at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Walk and because it was not the main path and still early we avoided the crowds and still enjoyed the bamboo views. The hiking pRead more”

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7.Historic and Natural Guided Hike in Yoshino

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $136

Walk about 8 km through Yoshino with a local guide, starting and ending at Yamato-Kamiichi Station. The five-hour private hike links sacred sites, mountain paths and viewpoints, with entry to Kinpusenji and Chikurin-in included. Guides such as Yoshi, Masako and Yoshifumi have led the tour. Blossoms usually appear between March and April.

“We had a great hike in the beautiful Sugi cedar forest today. Yoshi was very informative and fun company. We would recommend him.”

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8.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a three-hour small-group outing, capped at five people. You’ll visit the Bamboo Forest early, then hike quieter trails past shrines and viewpoints. Guides including Tang, Soichiro, Rin, and Taira have shared local history along the way. Expect steep climbs and descents, and bring water and hiking shoes.

“Firstly, our guide Soichiro, was very patient with us, as we were lost initially, our driver dropped us off at the Bamboo forest entrance and not at the Arashiyama Station, which we did not know about, as I only seen the WhatsApp from Soichiro just prior to meeting with him. Soichiro, however contacted us and we found each other after +- 20mins. Whilst Soichiro was very patient and kind to us, he is also learning about some of the info with regard to the trip. It was a good hike but you need to be prepared for a hike of this nature, which took us up and down some steep…”

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9.Hiking Tour for Sacred Sites in Kyoto with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $250

Spend about eight hours traveling from Kyoto Station to Kurama-dera, hiking roughly 4 kilometers through Mt. Kurama to Kifune Shrine, then returning by public transport. A National Licensed Guide Interpreter leads the private tour. Mark has guided the route, and families with children aged 7 and 15 have kept pace.

“Our tour guide, Mark, was lovely and very knowledgeable about the region we were visiting as well as Kyoto in general. The hike to Mt Kurama down to Kibune was wonderful. Well paced, and both my 15 and 7 year olds were able to keep up Read more”

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10.Hike and explore the Kurama and Kibune ancient Paths

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $165

Walk from Kurama to Kibune on a guided half-day hike north of Kyoto. You’ll ride the Eizan Railway, visit Kurama-dera, cross cedar forest trails, and finish at Kifune Shrine, known for its red lantern-lined steps and water-activated fortune slips. Guides such as Justin share stories along the way. Transport and entry fees are included; lunch is not.

“Excellent experience, the guide was very friendly. The views of the place were really beautiful and the temple felt magical. It's not a strenuous hike, so I recommend it for most people.”

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