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.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Seiryō-ji (Saga Shakadō) Temple - This temple is known as one of the oldest temples in Kyoto built as a villa of an aristocrat in the 9th century.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • 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…

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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.

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
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
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
T_senaratne
May 16, 2019
Perfect Bamboo trees - A bit of a walk from the JR station, by well worth it. The bamboo trees look like they are amazingly well crafted. Could become crowded, but has ample photo opportunities.
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
Grandmamabear
May 23, 2019
Disappointing - The guides make much of the bamboo forest and walk. We have seen bamboo groves in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore that better achieve the soundscape and peace that the guides say you “might” (without the great hordes of people) achieve here. Save the bus fare!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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