Kyoto

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Day Trip from Kyoto with a Local: Private & Personalized

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan
Magical Arashiyama Tour with Bamboo Grove
  • 6 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you’ll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.
  • An off-the-beaten-track guided walking tour of Arashiyama
  • Explore the stunning, nature-filled region with a local guide, complete with personalized attention
  • Choose from tickets to 4 of 5 temples: Tenryu-ji, Jojakko-ji, Gio-ji, Nenbutsuji, and Daikaku-ji
  • Share a traditional meal with your guide at a neighborhood eatery for locals (at an extra cost)

What's Included

  • A private personalized walking tour with a passionate local
  • 6 hours walking tour, exploring highlights and hidden gems
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central locations)
  • Tickets to 4 of the following 5 temples: Tenryu-ji, Jojakko-ji, Gio-ji, Otagi Nenbutsuji, Daikaku-ji
  • Tickets to Okochi Sanso Villa
  • Tickets to Monkey Park Iwatayama
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation (primarily a walking experience however public transport may be used)
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Bicycle rentals

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Mister Donut - JR Kyoto Station Building Shop
    Japan, 600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokōjichō, 京都府京都市 下京区烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町901

    (The host will be waiting in front of the Mister Donut) After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Arashiyama (Pass By)

Jōjakkōji Temple (Pass By)

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (Pass By)

Tenryuji Temple (Pass By)

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple (Pass By)

Daikaku-ji Temple (Pass By)

Okochi Sanso Garden (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • 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.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
42 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 42 reviews
Tour with young kids
Kristyn_R, Apr 2024
We had Alex as our guide and he was great. As we have young children he made sure the experience was suitable for them too, spending more time at the monkey park. At the end of the tour he took us to markets and sent me directions to more places that would be good to take the kids for the rest of our stay in Kyoto.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!
Great attractions inexperienced guide
Rafidah_O, Mar 2024
The bamboo forest is amazingly gorgeous and would have been serene if not for the crowd there. Recommend to go early morning to avoid crowd. The actor’s house on hill is really beautiful and the temples and surrounding gardens are amazing. Our guide is sweet and obliging though very much lacking in local knowledge. We had to prise him for information rather than him volunteering to explain the history behind these places. It would be great if the company could provide us with knowledgeable guides instead of someone who could just speak English.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Rafidah, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted that you enjoyed the beauty of the bamboo forest and appreciated our host's kindness. However, we apologize for any disappointment regarding the host's knowledge. Your feedback is invaluable, and we're reviewing our host's qualifications to ensure a more enriching experience for our guests. We hope for the opportunity to match you with the perfect host and create a memorable experience for you next time. Warm regards, Ruslan and the City Unscripted Team.
Excellent guide
ebsanchez, Mar 2024
Our guide Ada is amazing. As it was pouring rain, we decided to skip the bamboo forest and Ada took us to lesser known shrines and historic sites. Her understanding of Japanese culture and history was a delight and most interesting to listen to.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with Ada! It sounds like she did a fantastic job adapting to the weather and providing you with a memorable tour despite the rain.
Bamboo forest
Jean_Z, Mar 2024
The trip was wonderful. It was very peaceful and interesting and the bamboo forest was beautiful. Our guide, Hide, was very kind and helpful in both setting the itinerary and helping with my sprained ankle.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
It's great to know that Hide was such a helpful and kind guide, especially in accommodating your sprained ankle. If you have any future travel plans, don't hesitate to reach out to us again. Safe travels!
Excellent tour, fantastic guide
Deborah_S, Mar 2024
Mia was EXCELLENT. She was flexible and kind to my son who has autism and enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We loved our tour!!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience, and we're thrilled that Mia was able to accommodate and engage with your son.
Wonderful day in Arashiyama with Fatima
CHINGHO_C, Mar 2024
I had a fantastic day exploring Arashiyama with my amazing guide Fatima. She was able to tailor my experience perfectly after asking for my preferences, even adding in activities that were kind of off the beaten path that I otherwise would not have been able to find myself. She was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating, and just a joy to explore Arashiyama with. Would definitely recommend this tour and Fatima to anyone visiting Kyoto!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Fatima and the entire team are uplifted by your positive feedback. Thank you!
Great tour with Alex
Greg_P, Mar 2024
Alex was so friendly and personable. He gave us so much information about the area and the culture. We could ask him any question. He worked great with our kids and kept them interested throughout the entire day. We enjoyed our time with Alex. It was a perfect way to explore Kyoto. Highly recommend him.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Think of us next time you travel, we have a network of over 1,200 hosts around the world. I am so happy to hear your whole family had a great time with Alex! Your words are cherished!
Best guide ever— ask for Shingo!
Joseph_S, Dec 2023
Had a beautiful time in December 2023. Our guide took us to Adashino Temple first where we met the grandson of the founder and got a leisurely view of a bamboo grove with no crowds. From there we headed down the hill visiting temples along the way. We had lunch at a beautiful cafe that was set up in the style of a traditional tea house, and then headed for the main bamboo grove, the Kinkau-Ji temple, and the monkey preserve. Shinto was a fantastic guide, and he was patient with our multi-generational family, customizing the trip for us. It was a highlight of this trip.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
I'm so happy you had a great time exploring Kyoto with Shingo! Thanks a million for the recommendation, and we'd love to have you back for more adventures.
Beautiful nature, views and history.
Tait_K, Nov 2023
We enjoyed our time in in Arashiyama. The monkey park with its views and unique experience was great. We also went to two “hidden gems” with Dairyn which were highlights. Loved the experience and would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thanks so much for your kind words. We're overjoyed to hear you had such an outstanding experience. Can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure!
Amazing Kyoto experience
Nuha_F, Nov 2023
I absolutely loved this tour Brenda was so patient and catering to our needs especially since we were travelling with a young child. The tour was beautiful we got to do everything we wanted and the day went so quickly. Brenda was so great and we learnt so much from her. She was so flexible and fantastic would highly recommend to anyone coming to Kyoto and looking to do a tour. We only really had 1 full day in Kyoto but we all fell in love with city and definitely want to come back soon.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Your kind words made our day! It's fantastic to hear that Brenda tailored the tour to your family's tastes. Looking forward to hosting you again in Kyoto when you return!
Amaizing
martin_r, Nov 2023
The Bamboo forest and the Temple. The guide was very good and friendly. Was more than was expected we will recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your review. It's our joy to have met your tour expectations!
From snow monkeys to moss gardens!
Leigh_G, Nov 2023
We could not have asked for a better guide. Bita was knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and spoke great English! She planned the day and then rolled with wherever we wanted to linger. She took us to some breathtaking spots and was the mastermind of the entire experience. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Leigh, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Bita's expertise, friendliness, flexibility, and excellent English made your tour exceptional. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in the future!
Walking and more walking tour
Janeth_F, Oct 2023
We got picked up by our guide, Jose, from Spain. He catered to our preferences and needs. This is a Walking Tour so be prepared for lots of walking in large crowds. The baboo forest was beautiful but no place to sit down and enjoy it. The gardens at the end were beautiful and we really enjoyed walking through them.
A wonderful day in Kyoto
aziz_c, Aug 2023
Jose, our guide, made this is an amazing experience. He reached out to us in advance, took the time to understand the experience we were seeking and delivered a memorable day. He was flexible and ensured that we had a fantastic experience. The highlight of the day for the kids was the monkey forest where they got to feed the monkeys. Be warned, though, the monkey forest is at the top of a very steep hill - it will be like walking up a 40 storey building. Your legs will feel it.
Fun time
Ed_K, Aug 2023
Our tour guide Mi A was great. She was friendly and brought us to various temples, Japanese cracker store, and the monkeys. She was also great at taking photos for our family. It was a lot of walking and overall would highly recommend.
Kyoto private tour
Oved_F, Aug 2023
Masaya was a nice guide who took us through multiple nice and interesting destinations in a very smooth fashion. We had a great lunch as well. It was really great having such a personal experience.
Amazing, unforgettable, well organized and fun!
Susan_S, Jul 2023
Our tour guide Brenda was amazing and went out of her way to make this an unforgettable day. She was professional, knowledgeable, patient and extraordinarily helpful in every way.
Great experience!
Walter_A, Jul 2023
Miki was excellent and a great tour guide! She did what we wanted and was very knowledgeable and friendly! Took us to the places we wanted to see.
See a lot and have fun!
Mariam_K, Jun 2023
This is a great way to see temples, natural beauty, get in some shopping, and take a hike up to the monkey park. We had a great time and saw a lot. Our teenagers thought it was a highlight
Wonderful guide and tour.
Rebecca_B, Jun 2023
Our guide, Alex, was amazing! He was interesting, kind and flexible with our needs. His love for Kyoto was evident. We thoroughly enjoyed the bamboo forest, gardens and temples. He also led us to a great ramen place for lunch. By the way, the monkey park is a lot harder climb than indicated online.

From $282.12

Price varies by group size

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

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