Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Walk TourTravel deeper into Arashiyama's villa landscapes, beautiful Japanese garden, and bamboo forest with a local guide
★★★★★- 4 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
What makes this tour unique
- Visit Tenryu-Ji temple and its majestic garden once owned by aristocrats, officially recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
- Make everlasting memories in the Kyoto's bamboo forest, with knowledge and insight from an Arashiyama insider.
- A traditional sho-jin style lunch at the UNESCO World Heritage, Tenryu-ji temple.
What's included
- Entrance fees to 2 temples and 1 Japanese garden
- Match drink with a small tea ceremony snack
- lunch
- 5 hours of local guide
- Tour photos
Check out YouTuber Paolo fromTOKYO experiencing our tour
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
Hi I was born and raised here. I've traveled to more than 30 countries across the globe. But Kyoto has always been a special place in the world for me.
I have confidently created this Arashiyama walking tour because I feel it's such a pity that most of the tourists see the famous "Kyoto bamboo forest" only. I can say it loud, ARASHIYAMA OFFERS MUCH MORE THAN THE INSTAGRAMMABLE BAMBOO FOREST!
No wonder that the area is one of the most visited sites in Kyoto. But, let's all be real now. It is oftentimes too packed with tourists and their selfie sticks during the peak seasons. That's exactly why I believe having a tour with us is the best way to get around, learn, and experience the real Arashiyama because our certified guides will take you to the hidden route such as local beautiful Zen garden which is difficult for you to discover by yourself!
The tour starts from JR Saga-Arashiyama station. Unlike the normal and very crowded route to directly go to the bamboo forest, we will meet at the North Exit of the station and we will head to the local Japanese garden. By visiting this garden, I'm sure you will feel the calmness and beauty of Zen.
Our guides will explain how to enjoy Japanese garden and history with some interesting stories!
In addition to visiting beautiful garden and learning about the area, we will take you to a restaurant where we will eat local lunch! This restaurant is special because it offers you an amazing view of the Katsura river that is often missed by tourists!
At Magical Trip, we aim to provide a unique experience for each one of our beloved customers. Please do feel free to ask our local guides any questions about the tour and beyond :) We hope we can be friends because I personally believe the human connections are the most precious gift from which we can gain through traveling!
See you in Kyoto!
Official guide
Immerse yourself in solitude in the mesmerizing nature of Arashiyama.
Our local guide will take you local temple and beautiful Japanese garden where it's usually hard to find by tourists. We explain how to view and enjoy Japanese garden by comparing the beauty between Japan and the Western. Especially in the morning, it is really refreshing to walk around this beautiful area and along the way stop by some cool traditional shops in the street.
Visit the world famous, must-visit bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO world heritage and immerse yourself in it's rich history.
Afterwards we will visit some souvenir shops. You can enjoy shopping traditional Japanese crafts such as many bamboo products and pottery. After that, we will enter through more well-known spots in Arashiyama, visiting the very famous bamboo grove and Okawauchi Sanso garden where we can enjoy beautiful garden walk. Nature in Kyoto shows different faces for each season, so don't miss it! You will get insights into these areas and take memorable photos in the bamboo forest!!
Have a local Kyoto lunch and visit UNESCO world heritage temples Tenryu-ji.
After taking photos in bamboo forest, you must be ready for lunch! We will stop by Arashiyama park to see the beautiful view of Arashiyama at the top, and let's have Kyoto local lunch! Finally, we will visit UNESCO world heritage temples Tenryu-ji and feel the beauty and calmness of Zen.
Meeting Point
North Exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama
See on google maps- A guide will be holding a orange signboard saying "Magical Trip Tour"
- All ages can join this tour.
- All of the entrance fees to temples included as well as local lunch.
- As we will enter buddhist and shintoist facilities, please make sure to wear respectful clothing.
- As this is a walking tour, please make sure you wear shoes with which you feel comfortable walking long distance
- You are welcome to bring your young children and baby on this tour, but if you would like to leave your children with a sitter, we can refer you to an outside sitter service, please contact us before booking.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.