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Private Walking Tour: Discover Hidden Gems in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
4.1
86 Ratings
Kyoto
Join our private walking tour in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and discover hidden gems that only locals know. Explore beautiful and less crowded spots, including temples, traditional buildings, and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.
Join our private walking tour in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and discover hidden gems that only locals know. Explore beautiful and less crowded spots, including temples, traditional buildings, and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Seiryō-ji (Saga Shakadō) Temple - Recognized as one of Kyoto’s oldest temples, this site was originally constructed as an aristocrat’s villa in the 9th century.
- Saga Toriimoto Traditional Buildings Preservation Area - This area is one of four town preservation zones in Kyoto. Formerly known as Atago Highway, it was an ancient route leading to…
- Seiryō-ji (Saga Shakadō) Temple - Recognized as one of Kyoto’s oldest temples, this site was originally constructed as an aristocrat’s villa in the 9th century.
- Saga Toriimoto Traditional Buildings Preservation Area - This area is one of four town preservation zones in Kyoto. Formerly known as Atago Highway, it was an ancient route leading to Mt. Atago, which is dedicated to the Shinto god of fire prevention. Visitors can admire two styles of traditional Japanese architecture: the Kayabuki thatched roof house and the Machiya townhouse.
- Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple - Renowned for its 1200 stone statues of Rakan, Buddha’s disciples, each hand-carved by 1200 visitors to the temple. The area offers a serene atmosphere surrounded by these charming and distinctive statues.
- Bamboo Forest Street - Strolling through the renowned bamboo grove path in Arashiyama, visitors can discover the fascinating bamboo plant and its cherished role in Japanese culture.
- Tenryuji Temple - A Zen Buddhist temple established in the 14th century, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site in Kyoto. The temple’s beautiful garden offers a tranquil environment to experience the essence of Zen.
- Togetsukyo Bridge - Constructed to provide access to the temple across the river, this bridge was named “Moon Crossing Bridge” by an ancient emperor who observed the moon appearing to cross it.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Professional guide
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Entrance fee to temple
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Entrance fee to temple
Additional Information
If you are thinking bamboo forest and Togetsukyo bridge are the only attractions in Arashiyama, you are missing the chance to see even more beautiful and less crowded places in the area. Do join us and discover another charm in Kyoto. With just a 20 minute ride from Kyoto station, you can slip back into the scenery of 400 years past.
Meet our…
If you are thinking bamboo forest and Togetsukyo bridge are the only attractions in Arashiyama, you are missing the chance to see even more beautiful and less crowded places in the area. Do join us and discover another charm in Kyoto. With just a 20 minute ride from Kyoto station, you can slip back into the scenery of 400 years past.
Meet our experienced guide in JR Saga Arashiyama station at 9am and the guide will take you to much more beautiful and less crowded amazing hidden spots only locals know in Arashiyama.
Half Day Private Walking Tour
Time: 9:00-13:00 (4 hours, no lunch)
Price: 13,000 yen (per person)
Meet our guide at JR Saga Arashiyama Station (9:00am)
Itinerary
- JR Saga Arashiyama Station
- Seiryoji temple
- Saga Toriimoto Traditional Buildings Preservation Area
- Otagi-nenbutsuji temple (entrance fee 300 yen needed)
- Bamboo grove
- Tenryuji Temple (entrance fee 500 yen needed)
- Togetsukyo Bridge (tour ends here)
Location
Saga-Arashiyama Station
Departure Point: Meeting point
JR Saga-Arashiyama Station at the ticket gate
* You can use JR Pass to get to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.1
(86 Ratings)
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Judyh978
Mar 22, 2020
Awesome - Walking through the bamboo forest is pretty awesome. The tall bamboo on both sides of the walkway are beautiful to look at and take great pictures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marmie1a
Nov 12, 2019
bamboo forest was unique - Loved the forest...not so much all the people. The gardens within the forest were especially lovely. You have to pay about 500 yen but it is well worth it. You have tea and biscuit and then wander through the lovely garden. Vistas were great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ellbelllll
Sep 26, 2019
Beautiful - One of my favorite parts of my trip to Kyoto. However, during the day it gets VERY crowded-make sure to go early to beat the crowds. Also, bring bug spray. I was bit too many times while touring the forest. Otherwise it is very beautiful and worth the visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Larraine2016
Jun 4, 2019
Worth the visit - We travelled by train from Tokyo . So convenient. Heaps of shops and eateries on the walk to the forrest area. Something quite different, peaceful and beautiful. Really enjoyed our day. Were able to visit the Togetsu Bridge which is only a 10 minute walk from the Bamboo forrest. Don't waste time going to the other side of the bridge as there is nothing `special' to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ignacioam1976
Apr 24, 2020
Nice. - Nice walk along a path surrounded by bamboos leading to different temples. To take some pictures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffanydbtravel
Dec 28, 2019
Beautiful Bamboo - The bamboo itself was breathtaking and the sights will give great photo opportunities. However, try to go early or later in the day because it gets VERY crowded and the people will definitely ruin the experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ian
Nov 10, 2019
Amazing walk through the bamboo forest and along riverside - This was part of a day visiting attractions around Kyoto, Like all attractions the walk and forest is busy as the day goes on, but it is a gentle walk and not hard to do. Amazing to see the bamboo and realise it is one or two plants. A good way to spend an hour or so and its free.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holidayandbusyday
Nov 7, 2019
One of the interesting photo spots - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kyoto is really wrong spot photo favorite of travellers, cm is actually crowded anyway jd hard jg to put a photo that is blkgnya the other tourist dr😂🤣 There is a musician in jln
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vagabondginger
Jun 9, 2019
Magic Forest - I loved the greenness of the bamboo stalks reaching for the heavens. It had an other worldliness to it. There were girls dressed in kimonos and it's a very wide path. I am so sorry when I read the negative reviews. It seems that some people just don't understand that the world of tourism has changed a lot in the past 10 years or so. It is going to be crowded and it's not about just trying to take the perfect photos all by yourself. If you want to see the "must see" sites then you just have to deal with others also wanting to see them. Get over it or stay home. The Tenryu-ji temple here is one of the 5 temples that make up a UNESCO site. The bamboo groves are near the temples to ward off evil as they are a symbol of strength. I still found awe and serenity walking though this grove as I can see beyond the people and appreciate why I came here. Also enjoyed seeing a couple of the cemeteries along the way. Being part of a tour to see 4 of the major sites of Kyoto in one day from Osaka just meant not much time anywhere, but I still felt like I saw what I wanted to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Les
Oct 30, 2019
Bamboo forest - My lovely wife and I visited this bamboo forest. The forest dates back some 400 years and there is a roughly 20-minute walk you take through this forest. Lovely and very popular for photographs and selfies! However, not much else to see or do here
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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