Visitors to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove can choose from a variety of monkey park tours, including guided walking excursions and scenic afternoon bike rides. These experiences often combine wildlife viewing with visits to historic nearby sites like Tenryu-ji Temple and Okochi Sanso Garden.
Free Cancellation Discover the bamboo forest, mountain views, and hidden gardens of Arashiyama, with an optional Fushimi Inari add-on.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama's Zen gardens and bamboo forests before hiking to a mountain monkey park with views over Kyoto.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama’s backstreets, hike to the Monkey Park for city views, and visit quiet temples on an afternoon ride.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo paths and Zen temples before choosing between a hilltop monkey park or a local sake brewery.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Joining an Arashiyama tour is the best way to experience Kyoto's famous bamboo tunnel without getting lost in the massive crowds. You will wander through thousands of towering green stalks, explore historic Zen gardens, and tackle a short mountain hike to see wild macaques overlooking the city.
Walk the 400-meter paved path surrounded by soaring Moso bamboo stalks that create a natural, towering green canopy.
Hike up the mountain trail to observe over 120 wild Japanese macaques and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto.
Stroll through a 14th-century UNESCO World Heritage Zen garden that seamlessly connects right to the bamboo grove.
Visit this former silent film star's estate for stunning viewpoints, peaceful paths, and a traditional cup of matcha tea.
Stop by this historic Shinto shrine located within the grove, famous for its rare black wood torii gate and imperial history.
Cross the iconic 'Moon Crossing Bridge' over the Katsura River, a staple landmark of the Arashiyama district.
Booking a guided tour of Arashiyama takes the stress out of navigating the busy district and securing temple tickets. Here is what you need to know before locking in your dates.
You can choose between walking tours that hit the major highlights or afternoon bike tours that explore the quieter backstreets. Walking tours generally range from 3 to 5.5 hours depending on the itinerary.
While the bamboo grove itself is flat, reaching the Monkey Park requires a 15 to 25-minute hike up a steep, unpaved trail. You will need a moderate level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes.
Most guided tours include the admission fees for Tenryu-ji Temple and the Monkey Park, so you won't have to wait in ticket lines. Extended tours often cover entry to Okochi Sanso Villa and a matcha tea experience as well.
Single travelers can easily book these tours, but be aware that many shared tours have a strict two-guest minimum to operate. If you are the only one booked, you might be asked to reschedule or receive a full refund.
If you opt for a bike tour, children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Additionally, some walking tours strictly prohibit live streaming and the use of smart recording glasses to protect guest privacy.
English is the standard language for all group tours. If you need a guide who speaks French, German, or Spanish, you must contact the operator before booking to check their availability.
| Essential Walking Tour | Extended Walking Tour | Afternoon Bike Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | ~3 hours | 5.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Best for | First-time visitors short on time | Deep dive into Arashiyama history | Active travelers avoiding crowds |
| Includes | Guide, Tenryu-ji & Monkey Park tickets, Matcha drink | Guide, Temple tickets, Monkey Park, Okochi Sanso, Translation help | Bilingual guide, Bicycle & helmet, Bottled water, Admission fees |
| Price from | $51 | $86 | $102 |
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: The main pedestrian path through the bamboo forest is a public street and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Nearby Attractions: While the grove never closes, the attractions you will visit on your tour have strict operating hours. Tenryu-ji Temple is typically open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Iwatayama Monkey Park is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with final entry strictly at 4:00 PM.
Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is highly accessible by public transit.
Best Months: May and June offer the most vibrant green bamboo stalks. Late March to early April is spectacular for cherry blossoms, while mid-to-late November brings stunning autumn foliage to the surrounding Arashiyama district.
Months to Avoid: April and November bring extreme tourist congestion. August can be uncomfortable due to high humidity and heavy mosquito presence.
Time of Day: To avoid the peak tourist rush (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM), it is highly recommended to visit the grove before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Note that the forest is not illuminated at night.
Bamboo Grove: The main 400-meter path of the bamboo grove is paved and smooth, making it highly accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. However, the path becomes a steep slope as it moves toward the Okochi Sanso Villa, which may require assistance for manual wheelchair users.
Monkey Park: The hike to the Iwatayama Monkey Park is steep, unpaved, and not wheelchair accessible.
Alternatives: Traditional rickshaw services are available at the entrance of the grove. These are an excellent option for elderly visitors or those with limited mobility who want to experience the forest comfortably.
Restrooms: There are no public restrooms directly inside the bamboo grove. Visitors should use the facilities at the nearby train stations before arriving, or use the restrooms inside Tenryu-ji Temple (which requires an entrance fee).
Food and Drink: There are no food vendors or trash cans along the main bamboo path. However, the main street leading up to the grove is packed with cafes, street food stalls, and shops selling traditional bamboo crafts.
To preserve the natural beauty and safety of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, several strict rules are enforced:
Yes, most guided tours include the admission fees for the Iwatayama Monkey Park and Tenryu-ji Temple. Check your specific tour details, as longer extended tours may also include tickets to Okochi Sanso Villa.
The trail to the top of the Monkey Park is an unpaved, steep path that takes about 15 to 25 minutes to climb. You will need a moderate level of physical fitness and comfortable walking shoes to make the trek.
Yes, solo travelers can book, but most group tours have a strict two-guest minimum to operate. If no one else books for your time slot, the operator will contact you to reschedule or provide a full refund.
While the main path of the Bamboo Grove is paved and wheelchair-friendly, the guided tours listed are generally not suitable for wheelchair users due to the steep, unpaved hike required to reach the Monkey Park.
On the bike tours, you will cycle through the historic backstreets of Arashiyama to avoid heavy crowds. You typically park the bikes to walk through the main pedestrian-only sections of the bamboo grove.
English is the primary language for all tours. However, some operators have guides who speak French, German, or Spanish. You must contact them before booking to request and confirm a specific language.
Many tour operators strictly prohibit live streaming and continuous video recording during the tour to protect the privacy of other guests. Some even ban the use of smart glasses with recording capabilities.
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This tour covers the essential sights and quieter corners of Arashiyama. You'll walk through the central Bamboo Forest and visit the landscaped grounds of Tenryuji Garden and Okochi Sanso. The route includes a walk across Togetsukyo Bridge and a hike up to the Monkey Park for a view over the city. Along the way, we step off the main paths to find less crowded spots and stop to try local food. For those looking to see Kyoto's two most famous landmarks in a single trip, we offer a combined itinerary. This version begins at the Fushimi Inari Shrine to walk beneath the thousands of vermilion torii gates before heading to Arashiyama for the afternoon walking tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This walking tour covers the essential landmarks of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, starting with the 14th-century Zen gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple. From the temple grounds, you will walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to reach Nonomiya Shrine, a site historically used for purification by imperial princesses. The morning includes a stop for a bowl of traditional matcha tea. After visiting the shrine, you will cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River. The tour concludes with a 20-minute uphill walk to Monkey Park Iwatayama. At the summit, you can see wild Japanese macaques roaming freely and take in a panoramic view of the Kyoto city basin below.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This afternoon tour begins with a bike ride through the historic backstreets of Arashiyama. You’ll cycle along roads that were originally part of the Tenryuji Zen Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route is designed to bypass the main crowds, stopping at local shrines and temples that remain relatively quiet even during peak season. The experience includes a short hike up Iwatayama Mountain to visit the Monkey Park, which offers a wide view of the Kyoto skyline from the summit. You will also spend time in the bamboo forest and explore lesser-known areas of the district. Participants must be at least 10 years old to join this tour. If you are traveling with children under 10, please book the "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour starts with a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and a visit to Nonomiya Shrine. You will then explore Okochi Sanso Garden, the former estate of a silent film star, where the tour includes a serving of matcha or a cold drink in the historic tea house. The morning concludes at Tenryu-ji, a major Rinzai Zen temple known for its 14th-century landscape garden. For the second half of the day, you can choose between two routes. Option A explores the local atmosphere with a walk through the shopping district and the Kimono Forest installation. You will cross the Togetsukyo Bridge and hike up to Iwatayama Monkey Park for views over Kyoto. Alternatively, Option B offers a quieter experience. It involves a short train ride into the mountains for lunch at a restaurant favored by locals, away from the main tourist areas. This option ends with a visit to the Tanzan Brewery, which includes a sake tasting session.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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