Kyoto Day Tour: Kifune Shrine & Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Walk through towering bamboo and discover water fortune-telling at a mountain shrine

A full-day guided tour of Kyoto covering Kifune Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple, and Arashiyama, with an English or Chinese-speaking driver-guide and hotel or station pickup. You'll explore the moss-covered grounds of an 8th-century Buddhist temple, practice water fortune-telling at a Shinto shrine dedicated to the water deity, and walk the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Trail where stalks sway overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kyoto cultural and natural highlights

• Visit Kifune Shrine
• Explore Sanzen-in Temple
• Walk Togetsukyo Bridge
• Stroll Kimono Forest
• Walk Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Trail

The experience

The tour picks you up from either Nipponbashi station or Kyoto Station and moves through three distinct landscapes across roughly nine to ten hours. Kifune Shrine sits in the northern mountains, reached by a path lined with stone lanterns. The shrine is dedicated to the water deity and draws visitors year-round, especially in summer when the shaded forest offers relief from heat. The water fortune-telling practice here (placing your wishes in a bowl of water to receive divine guidance) is unique to this shrine and worth the climb.

Sanzen-in Temple in the Ohara mountains is an 8th-century Buddhist temple known for its moss-covered paths, stone lanterns, and ponds. The Amida Hall houses a revered statue of Amida Buddha, and the temple's lush garden shifts with the seasons. Autumn brings vivid leaf color that draws crowds. The peaceful setting invites time to walk the grounds at your own pace, though the itinerary may adjust depending on the day's traffic and weather.

Arashiyama is the final major stop, where you'll cross the Togetsukyō Bridge overlooking the Katsura River and walk the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Trail. Towering stalks create a serene, enclosed feeling as you move through. The Kimono Forest nearby displays vibrant fabric art in glass pillars. The guide speaks English or Chinese throughout, and round-trip transfers mean you don't arrange separate transport. Note that admission to Sanzen-in Temple is separate and paid on arrival.

What’s included

• English or Chinese-speaking professional driver-guide.
• round-trip transfers from your chosen pickup point.
• access to Kifune Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Trail.
• the Togetsukyō Bridge and Kimono Forest in Arashiyama.

Options for this experience

2 options

Exit 2 at Nipponbashi stationGuide in English or Chinese · 08:40Meeting point: 1-chōme-3-6 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan

Hachijo Exit, Kyoto StationGuide in English or Chinese · 09:40Meeting point: 601-8003, Japan

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:40 and 09:40

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

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TrevoTour Travels

Is this one for you?Choose this shared group tour if you want to visit three major sites (Kifune Shrine, Arashiyama, and the Bamboo Forest) in a single day without coordinating your own transport between locations.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the water fortune-telling practice at Kifune Shrine?

Kifune Shrine's water fortune-telling, called mizuura, involves placing your written wishes in a bowl of water to receive divine guidance. The shrine is dedicated to the water deity and sits in a cool, forested setting that makes it a popular summer retreat.

When is the best time to visit Sanzen-in Temple for the garden?

Sanzen-in's garden is particularly stunning in autumn when the leaves change color, creating a vibrant scene across the moss-covered paths and ponds. The temple is open year-round, but fall draws the most visitors for this reason.

What happens if traffic or weather delays the tour?

The tour duration of nine to ten hours includes transportation time, and delays from traffic or weather are common on longer journeys. The itinerary may be adjusted to fit within the legal 10-hour vehicle limit, and the company does not bear responsibility for delays that affect plans made after the tour ends.

Is admission to the temples included in the tour price?

Admission to Sanzen-in Temple is not included and is paid separately at the gate. Adults pay around $4.70, students $2.70, and children $1. Entry to Kifune Shrine and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is included.

Can I choose which pickup location works for my schedule?

You pick either Nipponbashi station exit 2 or Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit when you book. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the specific departure time will be confirmed by email one day before the tour.