Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour（Hidden Temples）
Description
Ran by @guidemejapan on instagram. Join us on our hiking adventure in Arashiyama! We'll take you on amazing trails that most people never get to see. We'll also start early morning, we’ll have the peaceful Bamboo Forest all to ourselves. Along the way, you’ll discover stunning views, hidden paths and the beauty of nature. If you are lucky, you might even encounter wild monkeys! Accident and Mountain Rescue Insurance 1) In emergencies (illness, injury) requiring immediate treatment or transport, costs will be borne by the participant (or family). We may request rescue services (e.g., helicopter) without prior consent. 2) Mountain rescues can be expensive. Participants must have mountain insurance covering rescue, search, and personal liability. Termination of Tour Participation Guides may end a participant’s tour if: 1) They are unfit to continue (illness, injury, etc.). 2) Weather or natural conditions make it unsafe. 3) They act recklessly, refuse cooperation, or disrupt the tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We’ll walk along the main path of the Bamboo Forest, followed by a hike up the mountain to enjoy breathtaking views of Kyoto. Afterward, we’ll visit Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, a temple famous for its 8,000 Buddhist statues.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(36)
Guide Taira was friendly, knowledgeable about Japanese culture and history and mindful of our security & comfortability. We had a great time.
Great experience! Great Guide! Thank you so much for a great time!
High intensity but well worth the climb! Genki was a great guide and offered interesting insights into Japan as we explored the forest. It was nice to get away from the crowds and experience the beautiful foliage and natural environment.
It was so nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the crowds and hike through the bamboo forest and then through bush. Lots of amazing views from up high. Our tour guide Genki was knowledgeable and caring! He made sure we had breaks and kept us safe - some of the terrain was very tight was big drops! He took great photos too. Recommend this as something different and to get away from the crowds
Our guide Rin, made this worth it! He was kind, informative, and make it a very special day for us. We got so much out of the experience and I highly recommend the tour and Rin as a guide!
Wow! What a memorable day! Rin is an amazing guide. He has a wonderful spirit and has a special way of sharing the culture and nature of Japan with his guests. The bamboo forest was something in Kyoto that we wanted to see and we weren’t disappointed. However the highlight of the day was getting off the beaten path, away from the crowds, and enjoying the day on a scenic hike at a perfect pace. Thank you again Rin. Your warm, genuine hospitality exemplifies everything that we have loved about our time in Japan. (And thank you for the recommendation for where to stop for lunch. Oishii!)
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable day with Rin. He truly loves sharing the culture, history, and natural beauty of Kyoto with guests, so your feedback means a lot to us. We’re also very happy that the Arashiyama bamboo forest lived up to your expectations. Thank you again for joining our tour, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan someday! GuideMe Japan Team
Our tour guide Arisa was extremely manageable and patient
Genki led us on a beautiful and refreshing hike through the mountains near the bamboo forest, beginning in the bamboo forest and with a stop at the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple. Genki was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure to help us navigate the terrain safely. The hike is definitely not for the inexperienced; it was tough but doable, about 5k with climbing and descending. I recommend wearing shoes with traction and bringing plenty of water. This was a unique way to see the mountains and nature surrounding Kyoto!
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the refreshing hike through the mountains around Arashiyama and the visit to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple. It’s a beautiful area that offers a completely different side of Kyoto beyond the usual sightseeing spots. We’re also very happy to hear your kind words about Genki. He takes great pride in making sure guests have a safe and memorable experience while sharing the history and nature of the area. Thank you as well for mentioning the hiking difficulty and helpful tips for future guests — that will definitely help others prepare for the adventure. We truly appreciate you joining our tour and hope to welcome you again on another experience in Japan! Warm regards, GuideMe Japan Team
Tang is an excellent guide - an anthropology student with exceptional English and good knowledge of the hiking trails and the history of the area. This tour is a great way to see glimpses of 'old Japan' and escape the crowds. The Bamboo Forest section itself is quite small. The best value of this tour is the hike beyond the Bamboo forest section into the surrounding hills, forest, valleys, villages and temples. Some of the trail can be tricky in sections. Tang will help you through these as best you can, but proper hiking shoes are a must. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Tang’s knowledge, excellent English, and background in anthropology added depth to your experience. It’s great to know that the hike beyond the bamboo forest—through the hills, forests, villages, and temples—helped you escape the crowds and catch glimpses of “old Japan.” We also appreciate you sharing helpful notes about the trail conditions and fitness level required. Your feedback will be very useful for future travelers when preparing for the hike. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you again on another experience in Kyoto. GuideMe Japan Team
We love our hiking through the Arashiyama forest and Genki was a great guide. He contact us a day before to make sure we are prepare for the hike. To emphasize this is a hiking tour so you will walk through the forest with some up and down hills also rocky terrain. Genki provided us with gloves to hold on to ropes when we went through the steep, rocky terrain. The tour ended with Genki brewed some honey tea for us which was perfect for a cold December day. As a bonus, he took great pictures of our family.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour and that Genki made your experience so memorable. It’s fantastic that his preparation tips, guidance through the forest, and thoughtful touches like gloves and honey tea enhanced your hike. We’re especially glad to hear that he captured beautiful family photos for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another amazing adventure in the future. GuideMe Japan Team
