Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour: Early Morning Hidden Temple

Beat the crowds to the Bamboo Forest, then hike to views most visitors never reach

A three-hour guided hike through Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest and mountain trails in Kyoto, starting early morning when the forest is quiet. You walk the main bamboo path, climb to overlooks of the city, and visit Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, a temple housing 8,000 Buddhist statues. The guide speaks English and leads small groups on trails beyond the usual tourist routes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Bamboo Forest and Visit Temple

• Walk main Bamboo Forest path
• Hike mountain for Kyoto views
• Visit Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple

The experience

Three hours starts before most of Kyoto wakes up. The early timing is the whole point: you get the Bamboo Forest to yourself instead of threading through crowds shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of others. The walk begins on the main path through the dense bamboo, then branches onto mountain trails that climb toward views of the city spreading out below. Along the way, the guide points out hidden paths and natural details most hikers miss, and if conditions align, you might spot wild monkeys in the forest.

The hike ends at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, a temple famous for its 8,000 Buddhist statues carved into the hillside. The temple sits at the top of the climb, so you arrive already elevated above the city. The guide is English-speaking and keeps groups small enough that you're not herding through the forest in a line of thirty.

The tour requires moderate fitness: you're hiking uphill for a sustained stretch, not strolling. The operator notes that spinal injuries, pregnancy, and poor cardiovascular health make this one unsuitable. Mountain rescue insurance is required by participants, and in an emergency, rescue costs fall to you or your family. The guide can end the tour if weather turns unsafe or if someone becomes unfit to continue.

What’s included

• Hiking trail access through Arashiyama Park.
• English-speaking guide for the full three hours.
• mountain rescue insurance coverage during the hike.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 08:00 and 09:00, from JP¥ 8,000 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 5 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 52 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.2 with pickup ›

AgesAdult (6 to 80 years) · Child (under 6)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by GuideMe Japan

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the experience intimate and let you move at a steady pace without waiting for stragglers. The early start is what makes the Bamboo Forest quiet. Book this one if you want to see it before the day-trippers arrive, and come ready to climb.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6).

What's the Bamboo Forest like when you arrive early in the morning?

The Bamboo Forest is peaceful and nearly empty at the early start time, letting you walk the main path without the crowds that fill it by mid-morning. The tall stalks create a quiet, enclosed feeling that changes completely once tour groups arrive.

How steep is the hike up the mountain?

The climb is sustained and requires moderate fitness to complete comfortably. You're ascending for a significant portion of the three hours, so cardiovascular endurance matters more than technical skill.

What is Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple?

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a temple in Arashiyama known for 8,000 Buddhist statues carved into its hillside. You visit it at the end of the hike, after climbing from the Bamboo Forest, and the temple sits elevated with views back over the area you've just walked through.

Do I need to buy a ticket to enter the temple?

Temple admission is not included in the tour price. Entry to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji costs 500 yen, which you pay separately at the gate.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the hike?

The guide can end the tour if weather or natural conditions become unsafe. You're on mountain trails exposed to the elements, so rain, fog, or other hazards may cut the hike short, and the operator will not refund the tour cost in that case.