Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Hidden Garden Walking Tour
Description
Winner of TripAdvisor's "Best of the Best 2025" (Top 1% Worldwide). The ultimate Arashiyama half-day experience. Combine the must-see highlights with hidden gems and a world-class dining experience. 1. Hidden Temples & Bamboo Grove: We take you to the iconic Bamboo Forest for the perfect photo, but also escape to a "Secret Temple" with stunning moss gardens and a hillside villa with panoramic views of Kyoto, far from the tourist crowds. 2. Guaranteed Michelin-Rated Lunch: Enjoy a premium lunch at a restaurant inside the Tenryu-ji Temple gardens (World Heritage). We serve authentic Zen vegetarian cuisine recognized by the Michelin Guide—a healthy and unforgettable cultural experience. 3. Don't just look at the gardens; understand them. Your guide will teach you how to "read" and enjoy the philosophy of Japanese gardens, comparing Western symmetry with Japanese "Natural Asymmetry," turning the scenery into a deeper cultural lesson.
Tour Options
Itinerary
First, we escape the tourist trail to visit a hidden temple known only to locals. Enclosed by mud walls and vibrant maple trees, this temple offers a perfect example of a "Moss Garden." Unlike the grand, open temples, this intimate sanctuary allows you to experience true "Wabi-Sabi"—the beauty of imperfection and tranquility.
hidden gems
Walk through the towering bamboo stalks that seem to reach the sky and take memorable photos.
Next, we ascend to a private mountain villa and garden that feels like a hidden fortress. This spot offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Kyoto City and the Arashiyama mountains, yet it remains surprisingly quiet. As you stroll through its winding paths, you will see many Japanese garden's design, which harmonizes with nature. It is a masterpiece that blends art with wild nature.
At Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site, you can enjoy Japanese gardens and Zen paintings with a guide's commentary.
End the tour at the souvenir street or Togetsu-kyo bridge
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-free are limited. ※Please request as soon ss possible. We'll make out best to accommodate
- As we will visit Buddhist and Shintoism facilities, please make sure to wear respectful clothing.
- People of all ages can join this tour.
- This tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues. If you have difficulty walking, we recommend booking a private tour.
- Please inform us at least one day before the tour if you have any dietary requests or allergies to mention.※ Requests made on the tour day cannot be accommodated. Please kindly understand that we are unable to guarantee allergy-free meals, accommodation of dietary restrictions or the substitutions, as the food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to us.
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs reaching 40°C (104°F) and winter lows dropping to -5°C (23°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour. The tour may be canceled in the event of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
- As this is a walking tour, please make sure you wear shoes with which you feel comfortable walking long distance
- Alternative: In the rare case that Sho-jin ryori restaurant inside Tenryu-ji temple is fully booked, we will guide you to another historic restaurant (est. 1965) famous for Kyoto's iconic Tofu cuisine, offering a beautiful Japanese room in Sukiya-style architecture.
- End of Tour: The tour ends at Tenryu-ji Temple, the heart of Arashiyama. You are perfectly positioned to continue your day by visiting the Monkey Park, relaxing at a nearby Onsen (hot spring), or shopping for souvenirs.
Reviews(460)
Great guided tour, very knowledgeable guides
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our guides knowledgeable. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another great experience in the future!
We had a wonderful tour with the best guides. Totally recommend the experience to all!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a great tour and enjoyed the company of our guide. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in the future!
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide Hide. He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and made the entire tour enjoyable from start to finish. His explanations were clear and interesting, and he made sure we felt comfortable and included throughout the day. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and it made a big difference in our trip. Highly recommend this tour experience!
A fantastic experience A friendly and engaging guide We visited several lesser-known local stops that really immersed us in the local reality
A fantastic experience with beautiful places and an excellent guide
This is a wonderful tour, where you can see many scenic and beautiful temples, shrines and gardens. This day I was the only guest, which didn't seem to worry my guide, Josh. He did an amazing job, explaining all the little details and was very patient and cheerful. Great experience, thank you so much! I need to come back in autumn/fall :)
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting the temples, shrines, and gardens with Josh. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him. It's great to know that his knowledge and cheerful attitude helped make your experience memorable. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan in autumn for another beautiful experience!
We had Tony O and he was wonderful. Very knowledgeable of the history and showed us the ins and outs of many gardens. Made great conversation and went out of the way to help us find where to go after the tour. Was a wonderful guide and tour. Highly recommend!
Our trip to Kyoto was incredibly exciting, and our guide, Moeka, made it even more memorable. She was professional, kind, funny, and very personable throughout the tour. Her knowledge of the Bamboo Forest and the surrounding tea gardens added so much depth to the experience. One of my favorite moments was visiting a calligraphy studio in the Bamboo Forest. Moeka kindly helped us write our names in Katakana, which was such a unique and fun cultural experience. She was patient, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable. It was also a wonderful way to relax and recharge after exploring the area on foot. The tour was informative, engaging, and ended on a perfect note. I highly recommend Moeka to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience in Kyoto!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We're thrilled to hear that your time in Kyoto was such a memorable experience and that Moeka helped make it even more special. Her professionalism, warmth, and sense of humor are qualities we truly value, and it's great to know she made everyone feel comfortable throughout the tour. We're especially glad you enjoyed the visit to the Bamboo Forest area and the tea gardens, as well as the calligraphy studio experience. Helping guests write their names in Katakana is always a fun and meaningful cultural moment, and we're happy to hear it became one of your highlights. Thank you again for your kind recommendation. We'll be sure to share your feedback with Moeka, and we hope to welcome you on another experience in Japan in the future!
Yumi was a wonderful guide for our trip and found lots of out of the way places. My young son adored her and loved the places we went.
Our tour experience was absolutely excellent! We learned so much about Kyoto and wrapped up the day with an amazing meal. Our guide, Yuki, was incredibly friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. She even went out of her way to help us get to our next destination. We are extremely grateful for her hospitality and highly recommend both this tour and Yuki—she is truly the best guide we’ve ever had!
