Kyoto

Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan
Kyoto Arashiyama and Sagano Private Custom Bamboo Tour with National Licensed Guide
  • 6 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

This private tour allows you to discover the highlights of the Arashiyama and Sagano districts of Kyoto, without having to do any research. Instead, set off with a private guide to take care of the navigating and teach you about the local area. Along the way, stroll past an abundance of interesting sights, such as Arashiyama’s bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Tenryuji Temple.
  • Enjoy a walking tour that showcases majestic temples and nature spots
  • As well as famous sights, get insider tips on secret spots that locals love
  • A private tour gives you direct access to the guide if you have questions
  • Listen to commentary about Kyoto’s history and Japanese culture

What's Included

  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Meet up with guide in Kyoto
  • The pick up/drop off for this tour is on foot.
  • Lunch - Lunch (for yourself)
  • Entrance fee (for yourself)
  • Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)
  • Private Vehicle
  • Other personal expenses
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 2 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

What To Expect

Arashiyama

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Togetsukyo Bridge

Admission Ticket Free

Bamboo Forest Street

Admission Ticket Free

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Katsura Imperial Villa

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kurama-dera

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Yoshimine-dera

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Daikaku-ji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Daikakuji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Okochi Sanso Garden

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tenryuji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Katsura Imperial Villa

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Jojakkoji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nisonin

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gioji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kibune River

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Infant seats available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Stroller accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
37 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 37 reviews
Arashiyama Tour
Farrell_S, Apr 2024
Satoko was a wonderful and engaging guide. The monkeys were the highlights for the kids, but we also enjoyed the bamboo forest and the temples and shrines.
Private Kyoto tour
Liane_T, Apr 2024
Kiyoshi was an amazing tour guide. He took us to the Golden Pavillion, the bamboo forest and the Imperial palace. He provided all the background information and interesting facts about the sites and allowed ample time for snacks and a lunch break. We would tour with him again.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you very much for your positive comment. I am happy to know that you had nice tour with me. It would be nice if you can come back to Kyoto to see more places in the future. Best Wishes, Kiyoshi
Day well spent
ROWENA_E, Feb 2024
An excellent and insightful tour with our kind and knowledgeable guide, Kazuo. We went to Arashiyama, of course, but also went to little-known places that were peaceful and not so touristy. We also appreciated how considerate Kazuo was with my being slow due to previous injuries. Five stars!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your nice review for me. How have you been? I hope you enjoyed Arashiyama without feeling difficulties after your injury. The trip in Japan this time was a bit tough one for you, I’m afraid. Please come to Kyoto again in the future after you recover soon. Thanks, Kazuo Sumi
Arashimaya autumn tour
J_T, Dec 2023
It was a good and comprehensive tour of Arashiyama. The scenes of autumn peak were truly breathtaking. Pity it was very crowded and the paths up and down the hills were very slippery especially when it was raining then.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan. Japan Guide Agency
Great day exploring parts of Arashiyama with Bell
Zeus_S, Nov 2023
Nice area to explore, communication with guide prior really helped in putting together an itinerary that met my wish list. The area was super crowded the time of year I visited but guide knew her way around to minimize the 'touristy crowded areas' which helped improve our experience. She was also very patient when we came to a spot I want to spend more time in for photos. Would have been difficult to navigate the sites without Bell.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan. Japan Guide Agency
Terrific day in Arashiyama!
Merrill_Y, Nov 2023
Kazuo was terrific, knowledgeable and certainly made the day productive and at our pace. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for your having sent a nice review for me. I appreciate your kind cooperation with me during the tour. You walked a lot. I hope you enjoyed the tour in Sagano and Arashiyama. I myself had a good time exploring those attractive temples and fantastic destinations on that day. I hope you and your wife will come back to Kyoto one day in the future. Thank you again, Kazuo Sumi
Forest pretty. Go on your own
CarolL, Nov 2023
The bamboo forest was quite lovely , but could have been seen in an hour. There wasn't much else of interest on this tour. Additionally, our guide was quite ill-prepared. He could not answer the majority of the questions we asked.
Perfect, customized fall day in Arashiyama
Francis_N, Oct 2023
After booking the tour, Kazz reached out to discuss the itinerary. He made some initial suggestions and then we worked back-and-forth to fine tune the tour. Our goal was to see some key sites in this area on the edge of Kyoto, and also to avoid crowds and see some places off the traditional path. On the day of our tour, he met us at our hotel and we took a taxi out to the Arashiyama area. We began at a temple on the outskirts of town, and were the first to experience it when it opened for the day. It even had a bamboo forest—not the crowded one of Instagram fame so it was perfect! Also to our surprise, Kazz brought his camera and throughout our day together took some great pictures and sent them to us after the tour. As we worked out he way across town visiting various sites, temples, and shrines, we not only learned about where we were visiting but about Kazz and his life. It was a very personal experience. We’re pretty active so he accommodated our request for the more walking the better. For lunch he recommended a local soba place, which made for a nice break in the day. Our last stop, also a bit further from the core touristy area along the river and up into a forested mountain was Daihikaku Senko-ji—a Buddhist temple perched in the rocks high up along the river. At the end of the tour Kazz made sure we knew how to get back to central Kyoto via train.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your comment. As we visited a less common temple, Gioji, we could feel the real serenity and aesthetic beauty of the moss garden. I'm happy to know that you enjoyed the tour. Please come to Kyoto again in spring for cherry blossoms or in November for autumn leaves. Thank you again. Kazz
Amazing tour!!!
Najja_W, Oct 2023
Our tour was magical and informative. It made us feel like we were seeing the more traditional side of Japan. Kazuo was a phenomenal tour guide so we highly recommend him. He was very kind, professional, and knowledgeable of the history. He was honest and considerate enough to customize the tour based on our interests. He even helped me find a local artist I’d been searching for. This was our favorite day in Japan.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your having sent a nice review for me. I appreciate your kindness and cooperation with me. Quite fortunately, we found the place you had been looking for. Your little dream came true thanks to your own effort. I hope you will arrive home in peace and some day you will come to Kyoto again. Thank you again, Kazuo Sumi
Not to be missed trip to Bamboo Forest and local temples!
Sara_J, Jul 2023
The weather was fr from perfect, but we headed to the bamboo forest anyway and it did not disappoint, even in the rain! The walk to the various temples was amazing, loved the authentic neighborhoods. Our guide, Shoji, was knowledgeable and delightful. Great local lunch before heading back to city center.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your taking time to send a nice review. I appreciate your generous comments about the tour in Arashiyama and Sagano despite the bad weather on that day. I hope you may come and visit the area again to enjoy its beauty in a different season. Shoji Ogawa
Good guide to be with
Murshed_S, Jul 2023
Very informative and responsive guide Enjoyed our day out with Ted Caring person who took great pain in explaining the history of the places we visited
Response from Host, Jul 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan.
A great experience with a fabulous guide
suzanne_c, May 2023
Our most memorable experience was having Kazuo Sumi as our guide. Kazuo kept in touch prior to commencement of our trip to organise which particular sites we wanted to see, providing options to choose from. Our transport from site to sight was seamless. Kazuo was very knowledgeable about places we visited, and welcomed any questions. When our trip had finished Kazuo took us to where we wanted to finish our day off. He also provided option for a meal. Thankyou Kazuo it was a most pleasurable time.
Kyoto Walking Tour
Jenny_M, Apr 2023
Loved seeing the gorgeous gardens, bamboo forest. Our guide was very helpful and clearly cared about our experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you very much for your kind evaluation. It was a wonderful day for me to visit Arashiyama together with you. Please come back to Japan in Autumn again, you would be able to enjoy the excellent amazing colored leaves in Arashiyama. Arigatogozaimasu.
Awesome excursion with Kazz!
Christina_M, Jan 2023
Local guide provided good insights of local culture, where to go and what food is yummy! The beef bento restaurant (next/near to Rikklakuma) is one of the best I had. Must try but avoid the lunch crowds to avoid the long queue.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for your comment. Please come to Kyoto in spring or autumn season on the next opportunity. I want you to see cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. Also I want you to eat delicious Kyoto’s cuisine. Thank you. Kazz
Great guide ‘Kazz’
RickeyB, Oct 2022
Our guide ‘Kazz’ was personable and knowledgeable. He was also flexible to our likes. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for your comment. I had a happy time with you two. After the tour, I checked the number of rocks of the Ryoanji Rock garden. The number "15" was a perfect number in the old East. Because the moon becomes a full moon in 15 days. Please come to Kyoto again in the season of cherry blossoms or autumn foliage. Thank you. Kazz

From $140.37

Price varies by group size

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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