Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano: Bamboo Forest Private Walking Tour

Choose Your Own Temples & Bamboo in Kyoto's Historic Districts

You meet your guide at the station and pick 2–3 sites from temples, bridges, and the famous bamboo forest across Arashiyama and Sagano. The guide customizes the route to your interests, handles the walking and history, and helps with local transport between spots. You pay for buses or taxis separately, and the whole thing takes four hours on foot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Togetsukyo Bridge1m
2. Tenryu-ji Temple1m
3. Jojakko-ji Temple1m
4. Sagano1m

Explore Arashiyama and Sagano highlights

• Meet guide at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
• Visit Togetsukyo Bridge for river views
• Tour Tenryu-ji Temple and garden
• Walk through Sagano Bamboo Forest
• Visit Jojakko-ji Temple hillside

The experience

"So which temples do you actually want to see?" Your guide asks this the moment you meet at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, and that's the whole point. This is a four-hour walking tour where you decide what matters, whether that's the Togetsukyo Bridge crossing the Katsura River, the UNESCO-listed Tenryu-ji Temple with its seasonal garden, or the towering bamboo forest that feels like stepping into another world. Most people fit two or three stops into the half-day, depending on how long you linger at each place.

The guide knows Arashiyama and Sagano deeply. These districts have been where Kyoto's aristocrats built their villas since ancient times, and the history sits in the stone and the moss. You might walk through Jojakko-ji Temple on the hillside, where around 200 old maple trees turn the whole place red and orange in autumn, or find yourself in Nison-in, a quieter temple surrounded by 1,200 years of landscape. If you're drawn to something less famous, the guide will adjust. The bamboo forest is always an option, and so are the 8,000 stone Buddhas at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji or the thatched-roof farmhouses at Toriimoto. The walk itself is moderate: comfortable shoes matter, and you'll be on your feet the whole time.

One thing to know upfront: transport between sites isn't included in the price. You'll use local buses or taxis to hop between temples, and those costs add up depending on where you choose to go. The guide will help you figure out the route, but you're paying for the transport separately. Rain doesn't stop the tour, so bring a light jacket if the forecast looks uncertain. This works best if you have a clear idea of what you want to see before you arrive, or if you're happy to let the guide suggest a flow based on what's realistic in four hours.

What’s included

• Your four-hour tour includes a private, licensed English-speaking guide who customizes the itinerary to your interests.
• You'll walk through Arashiyama and Sagano, visiting 2–3 sites of your choice: temples like Tenryu-ji or Jojakko-ji, the Togetsukyo Bridge, the bamboo forest, or quieter spots like Nison-in.
• The guide handles the route and history.
• Public transportation or local taxis between sites, temple entry fees, and any meals are separate costs and not included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

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

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Japan Wonder Travel

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to explore Kyoto's temple districts without a fixed itinerary and don't mind arranging local transport between stops. The four-hour window and moderate walking pace mean you'll see the main highlights without rushing, though you'll need to budget extra for buses or taxis to move between sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What's included in the tour price?

The private guide, their knowledge of the sites, and the walking tour itself. Transport between locations and any temple entry fees are separate.

How many places can I visit in four hours?

Most people fit 2–3 stops comfortably, depending on how long you spend at each temple or landmark.

Do I need to decide on temples before the tour starts?

No. You can discuss your preferences with the guide when you meet at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, and they'll customize the itinerary for you.

Is the bamboo forest included?

Yes, it's one of the options you can choose. It's one of Kyoto's biggest attractions, with thousands of tall bamboo trees.

What if I'm not fit enough for a lot of walking?

A moderate amount of walking is involved. You should be comfortable on your feet for several hours in comfortable shoes. Strollers are available for infants and small children.

Are entry fees to temples included?

No. Temple entry fees and transport between sites are paid separately and not included in the tour price.

What happens if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine, so bring a light rain jacket or umbrella.

How do I get between the different temples?

You'll use local buses or taxis. The guide will help you navigate, but you pay for transport as you go.