Japan · Walking Tours

Award-Winning Arashiyama Walking Tour Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park & Gardens

5 Hours Round trip from Kyoto Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Walk through the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • 02 Visit Monkey Park Iwatayama and see Japanese macaques
  • 03 Enjoy views from Togetsukyo, the Moon Crossing Bridge
  • 04 See the colorful Kimono Forest installation
  • 05 Explore the Tenryuji Temple area and garden on the morning tour
  • 06 Join a small-group walking tour with an English-speaking guide
  • 07 Take in a relaxed pace with time for photos
  • 08 Experience nature, culture, and history in one Arashiyama route

Explore the highlights of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district on a small-group walking tour that blends nature, culture, and scenic views in one memorable experience. Stroll through the famous Bamboo Forest, admire the colorful Kimono Forest, and take in the riverside setting around Togetsukyo Bridge as your guide shares stories and local insight along the way.

Depending on the tour timing, you’ll also visit the Tenryuji Temple area and garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historic Zen setting. The experience finishes with a short uphill walk to Monkey Park Iwatayama, where panoramic views over Kyoto and close-up sightings of Japanese macaques make for a rewarding finale.

The experience finishes with a short uphill walk to Monkey Park Iwatayama, where panoramic views over Kyoto and close-up sightings of Japanese macaques make for a rewarding finale.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
City Kyoto
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Kimono Forest

The Kimono Forest is an art installation located at Randen Arashiyama Station in Kyoto, Japan. It consists of approximately 600 poles, each around two meters high and filled with colorful kimono fabrics. These fabric-filled tubes are illuminated from the inside, creating a vibrant, magical display, especially striking in the evening. The installation pays tribute to the traditional textile industry of the area and adds an extra layer of beauty to the already scenic Arashiyama district.

Tenryuji Temple (only morning tour)

Tenryuji Temple is a significant Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. Established in 1339, it's known for its beautiful landscape garden, Sogenchi Garden. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a stunning natural site located in the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It's renowned for its tall, verdant bamboo stalks that sway gently in the wind, creating a tranquil, serene atmosphere. This magical, ethereal place is an iconic symbol of Japan and offers a unique, peaceful escape from the bustling city life. The sun filtering through the densely packed bamboo stalks casts a greenish hue, creating a visual experience that is truly mesmerizing. 

Togetsukyo - Moon Crossing Bridge

The Togetsukyo Bridge, or "Moon Crossing Bridge," is a famous landmark in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. Spanning the Hozu River, this bridge is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, especially during cherry blossom season in the spring and during the autumn leaf season. The current bridge was constructed in the 1930s, but the history of a bridge in this location dates back several centuries. The Togetsukyo Bridge offers picturesque views of the river, mountains, and adjacent parks, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

Monkey Park Iwatayama

The Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is a popular tourist attraction located in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. Home to over 100 Japanese macaque monkeys, the park provides a unique opportunity to observe these animals up close in their natural habitat. The monkeys are free-roaming, but visitors are asked to follow certain rules for safety. After a short hike up the hill, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of Kyoto, in addition to the playful monkey families. There's also a rest area near the summit where visitors can purchase food to feed the monkeys.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kyoto 1 city · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Tenryuji Temple Garden, admission included
  • Okochi Sanso Villa, included on the Arashiyama-only tour
  • Togetsukyo Bridge
  • Monkey Park, admission included
  • Professional English-speaking guide

What's Not Included

  • Tips for the guide (welcomed)
  • Pick up service not available
  • Lunch / Dinner

Know before you go

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • GERMAN AND ITALIAN AVAILABLE: While some of our guides speak languages beyond English and Japanese, we can only guarantee English for shared tours. To confirm the availability of German, Italian, or another language on your preferred tour date, please contact us before booking. Thank you!
  • Solo travelers can book, but a minimum of two guests is required.
    If only one guest is booked, the tour may be canceled, with rescheduling or a full refund offered.
  • We may reserve the right to cancel a customer's booking for a full refund in case of:
  • - Minimum number of travelers not met

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kyoto, JP
Tour start
Kyoto, JP
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 hours finish where they began, in Kyoto.

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