Explore the stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with a variety of guided experiences. Visitors can book walking tours, e-bike adventures, rickshaw rides, and comprehensive full-day bus trips to see the best of Kyoto.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, historic temples, and the Iwatayama Monkey Park on a guided walking tour.
Free Cancellation Visit Kyoto's major landmarks including Arashiyama, the Golden Pavilion, and Fushimi Inari on a guided full-day tour.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama's bamboo forest and hidden temples followed by a Michelin-rated Zen lunch at Tenryu-ji.
Free Cancellation Explore the bamboo forest by rickshaw and on foot, accessing private paths and historic sites away from the crowds.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo groves and Zen temples, followed by your choice of mountain views or a local brewery visit.
Free Cancellation Explore Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Tenryu-ji Temple on an expert-led morning walking tour.
Free Cancellation Explore Arashiyama's bamboo groves and hidden temples on a 25km guided E-bike journey through Kyoto's countryside.
Free Cancellation Discover quiet temples and historic preservation areas in Arashiyama on a guided four-hour morning walking tour.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Walking through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a quintessential Kyoto experience. Tours guide you through a soaring canopy of Moso bamboo, combining this natural wonder with nearby historic temples, shrines, and scenic viewpoints.
Walk the 400-meter central path surrounded by thousands of 25-meter-tall bamboo stalks. You will experience the 'Komorebi' effect, where sunlight filters beautifully through the dense green canopy.
Many tours include entry to this UNESCO World Heritage site. You can explore its 14th-century Zen gardens before transitioning seamlessly into the bamboo forest via the temple's North Gate.
Stop at this small Shinto shrine nestled directly within the grove. It is famous for its rare black wood torii gate and historical ties to Japanese royalty.
Opt for a traditional rickshaw tour to access exclusive, private paths. This allows you to escape the heavy pedestrian traffic while enjoying a guided, comfortable ride through the greenery.
Several itineraries combine the bamboo forest with a short hike up to the monkey park. Enjoy panoramic city views alongside over 120 wild Japanese macaques.
Visit the former estate of a silent film star located at the top of the grove's slope. Tours often include a stop here for matcha tea and expansive moss garden views.
Planning your visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove requires a bit of strategy due to its immense popularity. Here is what you need to know before booking your tour.
Options range from guided walking tours and full-day bus tours covering multiple Kyoto highlights, to private excursions and specialized e-bike or rickshaw tours.
The bamboo grove itself is free and open 24/7, but most tours include paid entry to adjacent sites like Tenryu-ji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa, or the Monkey Park.
Tours often start early—around 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM—to beat the peak congestion between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Early bird tours are highly recommended for the best photos.
While the main 400-meter path is flat and paved, comprehensive tours involve significant walking. E-bike tours cover up to 25km, and the Monkey Park requires a 15-20 minute steep hike.
Tours operate rain or shine. Summers can be humid with highs around 40°C (104°F) and mosquitoes, so dress comfortably and bring insect repellent.
Rickshaw tours offer seating for up to two adults. Children under 5 can ride free on an adult's lap, but older children require their own paid seat.
Most operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals often cannot join shared group tours and will not be refunded.
| Guided Walking Tour | Full-Day Kyoto Bus Tour | Rickshaw Tour | E-Biking Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 to 5.5 hours | 10.5 hours | Customizable | 4 hours (25km) |
| Best for | Deep dive into Arashiyama, temples, and the monkey park | Seeing Kyoto's top landmarks in one day | Avoiding crowds on private paths and romantic experiences | Active travelers wanting to see rural landscapes and hidden spots |
| Included Admissions | Tenryu-ji, Monkey Park or Okochi Sanso | Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera | Rickshaw ride only | E-bike rental, helmet, temple fees |
| Price from | $51 USD | $66 USD | $84 USD | $120 USD |
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a public pedestrian path and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no gates or closing times for the main forest path.
However, adjacent attractions have specific operating hours that you should keep in mind:
Please note that the bamboo grove is not illuminated at night. Walking after sunset can be hazardous due to low visibility, so daytime visits are strongly recommended unless you are attending special seasonal illumination events like the Hanatoro festival.
Located in the Ukyo Ward on the western outskirts of Kyoto, the grove is accessible via multiple transit options from central Kyoto.
Best Months: May and June offer the most vibrant green bamboo. Late March to early April is ideal for cherry blossoms, and mid-to-late November brings stunning autumn foliage to the surrounding Arashiyama district.
Time of Day: To avoid extreme tourist congestion, arrive before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. The peak hours are between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, during which the narrow path can feel quite claustrophobic.
Months to Avoid: April and November can be overwhelmingly crowded due to seasonal blooms and foliage. August brings high humidity and mosquitoes, making the walk less comfortable.
The main 400-meter pedestrian path through the bamboo grove is paved and generally smooth, making it highly suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and elderly visitors.
Incline Warning: As the path moves westward toward the Okochi Sanso Villa, it develops a steep slope. Manual wheelchair users may require assistance on this section of the path.
Alternatives: Rickshaw services are widely available near the entrance and offer an excellent, accessible way to explore the grove for those with limited mobility. The rickshaw guides handle all the physical work and can access flatter, private paths.
Restrooms: There are no public restrooms directly inside the bamboo grove. The nearest facilities are located at the local train stations or inside Tenryu-ji Temple (which requires an entrance fee).
Food & Drink: While there are no vendors inside the forest itself, the main street leading up to the grove is packed with cafes, matcha stands, and restaurants.
Shopping: Several shops near the entrance sell traditional bamboo crafts, baskets, and local souvenirs. If you need a break, the nearby Okochi Sanso Villa includes matcha tea and a sweet treat with the price of admission.
To protect the natural environment and ensure a safe visit for everyone, local authorities enforce several rules within the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove:
No, the main pedestrian path of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is completely free to enter 24 hours a day. However, most guided tours include paid tickets to adjacent attractions like Tenryu-ji Temple or the Iwatayama Monkey Park.
Walking the 400-meter bamboo path itself only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Most guided walking tours of the Arashiyama area last between 4 and 5.5 hours because they include neighboring temples, shrines, and gardens.
Yes, especially if you want to avoid the crowds. Rickshaws have access to exclusive, private paths within the bamboo grove that general pedestrians cannot enter, offering a much more peaceful experience and better photo opportunities.
The main path is paved and accessible, but some tours involve steep hikes, like the 20-minute climb to the Monkey Park. If you have mobility issues, a private rickshaw tour is highly recommended over a shared walking tour.
Yes, tours generally operate rain or shine. Visiting the bamboo grove on a rainy day is actually considered a highlight by many, as the crowds thin out significantly and the bamboo leaves take on a deeper, more vibrant green color.
It depends on the tour. Full-day bus tours usually include transportation from a central meeting point. However, most Arashiyama-specific walking tours require you to meet the guide directly at a local station, like Saga-Arashiyama.
There are no restrooms or food vendors inside the bamboo grove itself. Tour guides will typically point out restroom facilities at the meeting points or inside ticketed areas like Tenryu-ji Temple, and some tours include a stop for matcha tea or lunch.
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This walking tour takes you through the most significant sites in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. The itinerary begins at Tenryu-ji Temple, where you can walk through its historic Zen gardens, followed by a path through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. You will also visit Nonomiya Shrine, a quiet woodland site, and stop for a freshly prepared cup of matcha tea. From there, the group crosses the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River. The tour concludes with a short hike up to Monkey Park Iwatayama. At the top, you can observe wild Japanese macaques and take in panoramic views of the city below.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This full-day bus tour provides an efficient way to see Kyoto’s primary historical sites. The itinerary includes the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), and the torii gate paths of Fushimi Inari Shrine. You will also visit Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera temple, where you can walk through the gardens and see the city from the hillside. A professional guide accompanies the group to explain the history of each site and handle transportation logistics. Please note that if Nijo Castle is inaccessible, the tour visits Sanjūsangen-dō Temple instead. The schedule is subject to change based on weather, traffic conditions, or unexpected closures on the day of the tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This half-day tour of Arashiyama balances Kyoto’s famous landmarks with secluded spots most visitors miss. After visiting the central Bamboo Grove, we move to a quiet hillside temple and villa known for its expansive moss gardens and panoramic views over the city. The experience includes a guaranteed reservation for a Zen vegetarian lunch at a Michelin-rated restaurant located inside the Tenryu-ji Temple gardens. This traditional meal offers a direct look into the culinary heritage of Japanese Buddhism within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Instead of just walking through the scenery, you will learn how to interpret Japanese garden design. Your guide will explain the philosophy of 'natural asymmetry' and the specific techniques used to create these landscapes, providing a deeper context for the temples and villas visited during the morning.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour covers every section of the bamboo forest using a combination of rickshaw travel and walking. Starting from the main street, your guide will take you onto paths reserved specifically for rickshaws, allowing you to see the greenery away from the main pedestrian traffic. After passing Nonomiya Shrine, the tour moves into a park-like section of the woods and past scenery preserved from the Edo period. The final and most famous part of the forest is accessible only on foot; your guide will park the rickshaw within walking distance so you can walk through the tallest groves. We recommend starting the tour before noon to avoid the busiest times of day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Japanese, English
This tour covers the essential landmarks of Arashiyama, starting with a walk through the soaring stalks of the Bamboo Grove and a visit to Nonomiya Shrine. You will explore the Zen gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple and the Okochi Sanso Garden. The visit to the garden includes a break at its former tea house, where you can enjoy a complimentary hot or cold matcha or other beverage. After visiting the main sites, you can select one of two routes. Option A focuses on the local atmosphere of the shopping street and the Kimono Forest, followed by a walk across the Togetsukyo Bridge to the Iwatayama Monkey Park for panoramic views. Option B takes you on a short train ride into the mountains for lunch at a local restaurant away from the main tourist crowds. This choice concludes with a visit to the Tanzan Brewery, where a sake tasting is included.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English, French, Spanish
This guided walking tour covers three of Kyoto’s most significant landmarks: Fushimi-Inari Shrine, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Tenryu-ji Zen Temple. To avoid the heaviest crowds, we recommend booking the earliest available time slot. Throughout the walk, your English-speaking guide will explain the history of each site and offer practical travel tips, including local restaurant recommendations for the rest of your stay. Please note that this is an active tour requiring approximately 9,000 steps. We use public transportation to move between locations, and these transit fees are not included in the tour price. To ensure a smooth meeting, please have WhatsApp or SMS available so your guide can contact you regarding the starting point.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This four-hour tour covers 25km using Panasonic E-bikes, traveling through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and less-visited temple grounds. The route moves between quiet residential streets and rural landscapes, offering a view of local life alongside Kyoto's historical sites. Groups are limited to eight participants to ensure a manageable pace. Riders must be at least 15 years old and physically comfortable cycling the full distance. Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start to adjust your bike and practice using the electric assist.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Located just 20 minutes from Kyoto Station, Arashiyama offers a glimpse into Japan’s history that extends well beyond the famous bridge and central bamboo grove. This four-hour morning tour begins at 9:00 AM at JR Saga Arashiyama Station. Led by a local guide, the walk moves away from the main tourist crowds toward the northern part of the district, where 400-year-old landscapes and traditional architecture remain preserved. The route visits Seiryoji Temple and the Saga Toriimoto Traditional Buildings Preservation Area before reaching Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a temple famous for its 1,200 unique stone statues (300 yen entrance fee). After exploring these quieter spots, the tour circles back to the iconic Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryuji Temple (500 yen entrance fee), eventually concluding at the Togetsukyo Bridge at 1:00 PM. This private walking tour costs 13,000 yen per person and does not include lunch. The itinerary is designed to show both the famous landmarks and the secluded local spots that define the area’s traditional charm.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Japanese, English