Kyoto Arashiyama walking tour: Bamboo Forest, temples & monkeys

Walk through towering bamboo, then climb to wild macaques and mountain views

This half-day walking tour of Kyoto's Arashiyama district covers five stops: Tenryu-ji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Zen gardens), the Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Monkey Park Iwatayama. A professional English-speaking guide leads the route, which includes temple entry, matcha tea and park admission. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours and starts at Tully's Coffee in the district.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Arashiyama's nature and culture

• Meet guide at Tully's Coffee
• Visit Tenryu-ji Temple and gardens
• Walk through Bamboo Grove
• Visit Nonomiya Shrine
• Stroll across Togetsu-kyo Bridge
• Hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama

The Experience

The route begins at Tully's Coffee in Arashiyama, where you meet your guide and head straight to Tenryu-ji Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits at the heart of the district, and you walk its Zen gardens where seasonal colors reflect in the central pond—the temple entry is included. From there, the path narrows into the Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks frame the walkway in a way that feels removed from the city entirely.

After the forest, you stop at Nonomiya Shrine, a small Shinto shrine surrounded by mossy woods and rooted in ancient purification rituals. The quiet here contrasts sharply with the forest crowds. Next comes Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the wooden "Moon Crossing Bridge" that overlooks the river and mountains—a natural pause for photos. Then you hike up to Monkey Park Iwatayama. It's a short climb, and at the top you encounter a troop of wild Japanese macaques on their own terms, plus panoramic views of Kyoto spreading below. Park entry is included, as is a cup of authentic matcha tea served during the tour.

The guide is a professional English speaker who knows the district's history and timing. Public transportation runs nearby if you need it, and the pace suits most fitness levels, though the hike to the monkey park does involve some elevation. Tips are optional.

What’s included

• Entry to Tenryu-ji Temple.
• one cup of authentic matcha tea.
• entrance fee to Monkey Park Iwatayama.
• professional English-speaking guide throughout the route.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Traveling Kyoto

Is this one for you?Most Kyoto tours bunch the highlights into a bus route and a schedule someone else built. This one keeps you walking at ground level through Arashiyama's actual sequence—temple, forest, shrine, bridge, mountain—so the district unfolds as a place instead of a checklist.

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Top questions

What is Tenryu-ji Temple and why is it on this tour?

Tenryu-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's most important Zen temples. The tour includes entry to walk its gardens, where the seasonal colors reflect in a central pond—it's the cultural anchor of the Arashiyama district and the first stop after you meet your guide.

How difficult is the hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama?

The hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama is short and the tour suits all fitness levels, though it does involve climbing to reach the mountaintop where the macaques live and the views of Kyoto open up. The elevation is manageable for most walkers.

Is the matcha tea included, and when do I drink it?

Yes, one cup of authentic matcha tea is included in the tour price. It's served during the route as a refreshment break, giving you a taste of local flavor between the temple gardens and the Bamboo Forest.

What does the Bamboo Forest actually look like when you walk through it?

The Bamboo Forest is a narrow path lined with towering stalks that sway overhead, creating an enclosed, almost otherworldly passage through the grove. It's one of Arashiyama's most recognizable spots and feels distinctly separate from the surrounding city.

How long is this tour and when does it start?

The tour runs 3 to 4 hours and begins at Tully's Coffee in the Arashiyama district, where you meet your guide before heading to Tenryu-ji Temple.

Are there any age or health restrictions I should know about?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the tour. The walk is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, though it suits most fitness levels. The hike to the monkey park involves some elevation.