Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour: Escape Crowds & Explore Secret Trails
- Kyoto, Japan
- 3 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
- Instant Confirmation
What makes this tour unique
- Escape the overtourism and hike peaceful, secret local trails.
- Walk through Ghibli-like bamboo groves and hidden shrines with a local guide
- Enjoy the iconic thousands of Torii gates without the heavy crowds and take stunning photos
- Refresh your mind and body on this authentic Japanese nature hike
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
Many travelers visit Fushimi Inari, only to be overwhelmed by thousands of tourists just waiting to take a photo. That breaks my heart! I designed this 3-hour hiking tour to show you the real, authentic Fushimi Inari—the deep silence of the forest, the sound of the rivers, and the spiritual atmosphere of the hidden shrines.
Instead of taking the crowded main entrance, we start one station away. We will walk along a secret local trail that feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli movie! You will discover beautiful, quiet bamboo groves and untouched shrines where the true spirit of Japanese animism lives. Because we avoid the main tourist traps, you can take beautiful photos of the Torii gates and bamboo forest in peace.
This hidden hiking tour is the perfect way to refresh your mind and body. Escape the noise, breathe the fresh air, and travel deeper into the 'Real Japan' with us! (Note: Please wear comfortable hiking shoes and long sleeves as we walk in nature.)
Official guide
What's included
Hike through a secret path into Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Even though there is Fushi-inari station, we start the tour from Tofukuji station because we enter Fushi-inari shrine from the back entrance. We walk around Kyoto's local neighborhood to a hidden trail and take a gander at the quiet and peaceful nature.
Journey into a secret bamboo forest -- an uncharted treasure trove
Crossing through a narrow mountain path, we will discover a natural bamboo forest, and a small Inari shrine hidden from tourists. Fushimi Inari's main entrance is hard to navigate due to a lot of people, but by walking through the mountains, we will see Fushimi Inari from a new perspective, away from the crowd. Crossing a narrow mountain path, we will discover a natural bamboo forest, and a small Inari shrine hidden from tourists. Fushimi Inari's main entrance is hard to navigate due to a lot of people, but by walking through the mountains, we will see Fushimi Inari from a new perspective, away from the crowd.
Return to civilization after a breathtaking view atop the mountains of Fushimi Inari
After an hour long hike through a hidden trail, we will return back to the main road in the middle of the mountains of Fushimi Inari. From here on, we will explore tourist areas on the way to the top of the mountain. Tour routes may vary, but it will end somewhere around the main shrine.
Photos from the Recent Tours
Meeting Point
Family Mart Nakai Tofukuji Store
- Outside of Tofukuji Station EXIT 2, Next to the Family Mart
- ［From Kyoto station to Tofukuji station］Please use JR line：You can use both rapid trains and local trains.
- ［From Shijyo keihan to Tofukuji station］Please use Keihan line : You can use sub-express trains, semi express trains and local trains. Please DO NOT USE express trains.
Itinerary
- Meeting at Tofukuji Station
- Start hiking in a secret trail
- Visit Local Hidden Shrines and Bamboo forests
- Join the middle part of Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Climb up the mountain to see the cityscape of Kyoto
- (Itinerary may vary depending on weather or group conditions.)
- The tour will be canceled in the event of severe weather such as heavy rain or a typhoon.
- This hike is not super difficult, approximately 7km in total. But it is not a simple walk and does take some effort. We would not recommend it for people who have trouble walking or are not in usual condition. We take regular stops and can do extra stops if needed.
- Persons younger than 8 must have their parents request permission before booking.
- As the ground can be slippery, you need to come wearing shoes with good grip.
- In the burning hot and humid summer here, we highly recommend you to bring a cap and sunglasses to avoid heatstroke.
- There may be mosquitoes and bugs as the group will hike in the mountain, so we strongly recommend wearing a long sleeve shirt and long pants.
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
- This tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues, if you have walking problems we recommend booking a private tour.
- Pregnant women may not participate.
- Out of respect for other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time.
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.
- You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
- Free date/time rescheduling up to 24 hours before the tour starting time (depending on availability).
- The tour will be canceled in the event of a disaster such as a typhoon. We will inform all the guests by 1 day before the tour date in case of cancellation and we will make a full refund in such a case.
Check out YouTuber Tokyo Lens experiencing our tour
