Kyoto Arashiyama: Bamboo Forest & Monkey Park Bike Tour

Summary

Pedal ancient paths in Arashiyama, meet monkeys, hear bamboo sing

You’ll cycle quiet lanes through Arashiyama with a local guide, wander beneath swaying bamboo in Sagano, hike up to meet wild monkeys at Iwatayama Park, and pause for temple gardens and river views along the way. It’s an afternoon of gentle adventure—part laughter, part silence—that leaves its mark long after you’ve left Kyoto behind.

What’s the experience like?

Li was waiting by the bikes near Togetsu-kyo Bridge, grinning like he’d just heard a good joke. He handed me a helmet and asked if I’d ever tried cycling in Kyoto traffic (“Don’t worry, it’s mostly grandmas and school kids,” he said). The river shimmered under that late afternoon light — not golden exactly, more like silver tea — and we set off. The air smelled faintly of pine needles and something sweet from a food stall across the street. I tried to say “Arashiyama” properly; Li laughed and told me not to overthink it.

The path took us past tiny shrines tucked between old wooden houses. At one stop, an old man sweeping leaves nodded at us but didn’t say much — just that kind of quiet you get in Japan sometimes. When we reached the Bamboo Forest, it was quieter than I expected. The sound is what got me: this soft knocking as the wind moved through those tall green stalks. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve stood there — it feels both ancient and new at once. Li pointed out a spot where monks used to walk centuries ago. My legs were starting to notice the ride by then but honestly, I didn’t mind.

We locked up the bikes and started the short hike up Iwatayama Mountain for the monkey park (about 20 minutes but my lungs thought it was longer). There were families ahead of us laughing at their kids’ attempts to mimic monkey calls. At the top, monkeys everywhere — some bold enough to stare right back at you while others just ignored us completely. The view over Kyoto surprised me; you could see rooftops stretching forever with mountains behind them. I still think about that view on cold mornings back home.

On the way down we stopped by Tenryuji Temple gardens — mossy stones, koi flickering in dark water, everything so carefully arranged it almost looked accidental. We finished by rolling back across Togetsu-kyo Bridge as dusk crept in. My legs were tired but my head felt clear in that way travel sometimes does to you…you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon tour of Arashiyama highlights

• Walk 20 minutes up Iwata mountain
• Visit Iwatayama Monkey Park
• Enjoy panoramic Kyoto city view
• Explore Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Stroll Tenryuji Temple gardens
• Admire Togetsu-kyo Bridge view

Top questions

How long does the Arashiyama bike tour take?

The tour runs during the afternoon and includes several stops; plan for around 3–4 hours total.

Is there an age requirement for this Kyoto bike tour?

Yes, participants must be at least 10 years old for this tour.

Are bikes and helmets provided on this day trip?

Yes, your bicycle and helmet are included with your booking.

Does this tour include entry fees for Monkey Park or temples?

Admission fees are included in the price of your tour.

Is lunch or food included on this Arashiyama bike tour?

No meals are included; bottled water is provided.

Do I need to be very fit for the bike tour?

You should have moderate fitness as there is cycling and a short hike involved.

Can families with young children join this bike tour?

This specific tour is for ages 10+, but there’s a family version available for younger kids.

Are e-bikes available on request?

E-bikes can be arranged for an additional fee if requested in advance.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes use of a bicycle and helmet, bottled water to keep you going, all admission fees (including Iwatayama Monkey Park), plus guidance from a bilingual local who knows these Kyoto backstreets better than Google Maps ever could.