4 Hours Arashiyama and Arashiyama Monkey Park Tour
Description
Experience the best of Arashiyama with this immersive tour that combines iconic landmarks, stunning natural beauty, and close encounters with wildlife. From the tranquil bamboo grove to the lively monkey park, this tour offers a blend of relaxation, exploration, and adventure. This tour is great for any types of travelers , such as adventure seekers, families with children, etc.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is a unique attraction located in the scenic Arashiyama area of Kyoto. Perched atop Mount Iwatayama, the park is home to over 100 wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) that roam freely, offering visitors a chance to observe them in their natural habitat.
Tenryu Temple, is a historic Zen Buddhist temple located in Arashiyama, a scenic district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It's one of the most important temples in Kyoto and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, also called the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, is a natural bamboo forest located in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan, near the Tenryū-ji Temple. Why it’s famous: It's one of the most iconic and photogenic places in Japan, with tall, swaying stalks of bamboo creating a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Walking through the forest is a calm and peaceful experience, especially early in the morning or during off-peak times. The sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo is so unique it’s been listed as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan" by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby with your name sign. Please inform about your pick up details in advance.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Walking to the monkey park is generally considered a moderately challenging route, taking an average of 37 minutes to complete.
Reviews(4)
Our guide Akihiro was great. We were a group of 5 for this tour, ranging in age from 8-57years. We wanted to see the monkeys in Arashiyama and the bamboo forest so that dictated our choice of tours. Akihiro met us at our air B&B and guided us smoothly on trains to Arashiyama. There we went first to see the monkeys. Be forewarned, it is a pretty steep climb, with many switchbacks. Our guide was wearing long pants and a button down shirt! I have no idea how he kept a smile on his face, but he did!! At the top, we saw the monkeys (including two mothers with small babies who were nursing) and we went inside a small building from which you could feed the monkeys (picture humans inside a hut & monkeys free outside, but they come to the screened windows for snacks). There is also a good view of Kyoto from the top of the mountain. You walk down the same path that you followed up, and from there we went to see the Tenryu-ji Temple (a UNESCO world heritage site & Buddhist temple). The buildings of the temple are interesting and the garden is lovely. Akihiro made the temple visit accessible to the kids in our family (remember to bring socks if you aren’t wearing them!). The last part of our tour was the bamboo forest. Each of the sites is not far from the other so we walked from the monkeys to the temple to the forest. It was very hot when we did the tour, but we knew it would be. July in Japan is hot. At the end of the tour we stopped to have a snack and then Akihiro guided us back to the train station as we were heading to Osaka that afternoon. If I were to do it again, I might skip the monkeys, but I know my husband, son and nephew loved seeing them. To me, it was a LOT of uphill walking for a brief stop (and we can see similar monkeys at our zoo at home). However, that is not Viator or the tour company’s fault - that’s the challenge of picking activities in a place when you have limited time and want to find things for everyone. One of my favorite things on the tour was when we stopped to look at the river and Akihiro told us about the history of the area. It is a beautiful section/area of Kyoto.
Dear Debby, Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re so glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour in Arashiyama with our guide. It’s wonderful to know that he was able to make the experience smooth and enjoyable for all ages. Your feedback about the hike and each location is greatly appreciated, and we’re happy that the monkeys, temple, and bamboo forest each left a positive impression. We truly appreciate you choosing our tour and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan. Best regards, Summer
Hide, our guide was amazing, highly recommended, we enjoyed all the sights and were able to customize it. Lovely time! Our kids also loved the tour.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a lovely time with Hide and that the tour was enjoyable for the whole family. We're especially glad your kids had fun too! Being able to customize the tour to your interests is something we always strive for, and it's great to know it made your experience even more special. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future!
Jun did a fantastic job personalizing the tour to our interests. Since it was raining and I injured my knee he adjusted the tour to spend more time in the Tenryu-ji Temple with fewer stairs. Jun explained a lot of the background history of zen buddhism in Japan and its influence from China. The gardens were beautiful and a highlight of our trip. It was very busy in Arashiyama but Jun found a very nice, quiet restaurant for lunch and treated us to the local microbrewery beer as well. Thank you Jun!
Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re so glad to hear that Jun was able to adjust the tour to your needs and make your visit both comfortable and memorable, even in the rain. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the history, the beautiful gardens of Tenryu-ji, and the local lunch spot. We're always happy to hear that our guests had a meaningful experience. Thank you again for joining the tour! Best wishes, Manami
We had a great time on this tour. Harry was wonderful. We had a very pleasant afternoon with Harry. He was very kind and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We're so glad to hear that you had a pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. It's always wonderful to know that our guests feel well taken care of and have a meaningful experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future! Best wishes, Manami
