Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji Garden, Okochi Sanso & Monkey Park
by Japanify Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥13,500Overview
This walking tour in Kyoto's Arashiyama district lasts about 5 to 6 hours and covers several key sites. The walk starts at Saga-Arashiyama Station, where participants gather and have a few minutes to explore the area. From there, the group visits Nonomiya Shrine, a small Shinto shrine surrounded by bamboo and known for its historical role in purification rituals for imperial princesses and its mention in The Tale of Genji. Next, the tour continues to Okochi Sanso Garden, a quiet garden at the end of the Bamboo Forest once belonging to a famous actor. Visitors can walk along winding paths, see seasonal flowers, and enjoy views over Kyoto. A cup of matcha tea is included here. The group then walks through the Bamboo Forest trail, a path lined with tall bamboo trees. The tour proceeds to Tenryuji Temple’s garden, a World Heritage Site regarded as one of the best gardens in Japan. After this, participants walk to Togetsukyo Bridge to see views of the Hozu River and nearby mountains. From the bridge, the group hikes uphill for 20 to 25 minutes on a somewhat steep path to reach Arashiyama Monkey Park. The park offers chances to see and interact with wild Japanese monkeys and provides panoramic views of the city. A short lunch break is included during the visit to the park. The tour includes admission to Tenryuji Temple garden and Monkey Park. Okochi Sanso Garden admission is included only for the Arashiyama tour option. The guide is bilingual and knowledgeable. Fushimi Inari is included only if the combined Fushimi Inari plus Arashiyama option is selected. Tips, meals, and pickup services are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Arashiyama
Meet at Saga-Arashiyama Station and spend about 20 minutes exploring the area and gathering with the group.
20 min
Nonomiya Shrine
Visit Nonomiya Shrine, a small Shinto shrine used historically for purification rituals by imperial princesses. It is surrounded by bamboo and linked to love, marriage, and academic success. The shrine is noted in The Tale of Genji.
10 min
Okochi Sanso Garden
Walk to Okochi Sanso Garden at the end of the Bamboo Forest. This garden was once a private villa of a Japanese actor and features winding paths, seasonal flowers, and views over Kyoto. A cup of matcha tea is included here. The visit lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
The Bamboo Forest Trail
Walk through the Bamboo Grove, a serene path lined with tall bamboo trees located a few minutes from the station. The visit lasts around 30 minutes.
30 min
Tenryu-ji Temple Sogenchi Teien
Visit Tenryuji Garden, a World Heritage Site considered one of Japan’s finest gardens. The stay here is about 35 minutes.
35 min
Arashiyama
Walk to Togetsukyo Bridge, a popular spot offering views of the Hozu River and surrounding mountains. The visit is about 15 minutes.
15 min
Togetsukyo Bridge
From the bridge, hike 20-25 minutes uphill on a somewhat steep path to reach Arashiyama Monkey Park, located on a mountain overlooking the district. The hike takes about 60 minutes including the climb.
60 min
Monkey Park Iwatayama
A short lunch break is scheduled at this stop. The duration is approximately 35 minutes.
35 min
Meeting point
FOR FUSHIMI COMBO TOUR: Meeting on the opposite side of the Inari station. See pictures We’ll send full tour details the day before by email and WhatsApp. If you haven’t received the details by then, please contact us. Due to the terrain, strollers and wheelchairs are not permitted on this tour.
End point
We will end your journey with a visit to the enchanting Monkey Park, a must-see for animal lovers. Afterward, you can indulge in some unique shopping opportunities in the area to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs to remember your trip or head back to the station.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji Garden, Okochi Sanso & Monkey Park
by Japanify Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥13,500Overview
This walking tour in Kyoto's Arashiyama district lasts about 5 to 6 hours and covers several key sites. The walk starts at Saga-Arashiyama Station, where participants gather and have a few minutes to explore the area. From there, the group visits Nonomiya Shrine, a small Shinto shrine surrounded by bamboo and known for its historical role in purification rituals for imperial princesses and its mention in The Tale of Genji. Next, the tour continues to Okochi Sanso Garden, a quiet garden at the end of the Bamboo Forest once belonging to a famous actor. Visitors can walk along winding paths, see seasonal flowers, and enjoy views over Kyoto. A cup of matcha tea is included here. The group then walks through the Bamboo Forest trail, a path lined with tall bamboo trees. The tour proceeds to Tenryuji Temple’s garden, a World Heritage Site regarded as one of the best gardens in Japan. After this, participants walk to Togetsukyo Bridge to see views of the Hozu River and nearby mountains. From the bridge, the group hikes uphill for 20 to 25 minutes on a somewhat steep path to reach Arashiyama Monkey Park. The park offers chances to see and interact with wild Japanese monkeys and provides panoramic views of the city. A short lunch break is included during the visit to the park. The tour includes admission to Tenryuji Temple garden and Monkey Park. Okochi Sanso Garden admission is included only for the Arashiyama tour option. The guide is bilingual and knowledgeable. Fushimi Inari is included only if the combined Fushimi Inari plus Arashiyama option is selected. Tips, meals, and pickup services are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Arashiyama
Meet at Saga-Arashiyama Station and spend about 20 minutes exploring the area and gathering with the group.
20 min
Nonomiya Shrine
Visit Nonomiya Shrine, a small Shinto shrine used historically for purification rituals by imperial princesses. It is surrounded by bamboo and linked to love, marriage, and academic success. The shrine is noted in The Tale of Genji.
10 min
Okochi Sanso Garden
Walk to Okochi Sanso Garden at the end of the Bamboo Forest. This garden was once a private villa of a Japanese actor and features winding paths, seasonal flowers, and views over Kyoto. A cup of matcha tea is included here. The visit lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
The Bamboo Forest Trail
Walk through the Bamboo Grove, a serene path lined with tall bamboo trees located a few minutes from the station. The visit lasts around 30 minutes.
30 min
Tenryu-ji Temple Sogenchi Teien
Visit Tenryuji Garden, a World Heritage Site considered one of Japan’s finest gardens. The stay here is about 35 minutes.
35 min
Arashiyama
Walk to Togetsukyo Bridge, a popular spot offering views of the Hozu River and surrounding mountains. The visit is about 15 minutes.
15 min
Togetsukyo Bridge
From the bridge, hike 20-25 minutes uphill on a somewhat steep path to reach Arashiyama Monkey Park, located on a mountain overlooking the district. The hike takes about 60 minutes including the climb.
60 min
Monkey Park Iwatayama
A short lunch break is scheduled at this stop. The duration is approximately 35 minutes.
35 min
Meeting point
FOR FUSHIMI COMBO TOUR: Meeting on the opposite side of the Inari station. See pictures We’ll send full tour details the day before by email and WhatsApp. If you haven’t received the details by then, please contact us. Due to the terrain, strollers and wheelchairs are not permitted on this tour.
End point
We will end your journey with a visit to the enchanting Monkey Park, a must-see for animal lovers. Afterward, you can indulge in some unique shopping opportunities in the area to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs to remember your trip or head back to the station.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.