Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots
Description
Enjoy a late start and absolutely fall in love with Arashiyama on this amazing afternoon tour! Take a trip back in time where the very roads you ride were sub-temples of our World Heritage Tenryuji Zen Temple followed by a short hike up to the impressive panoramic view of Kyoto from Iwatayama Mountain and the accompanying Iwatayama Monkey Park. You will even experience some bamboo forest viewing and visits to some local shrines and temples not frequented by the crowds of tourists. *AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Take a pleasant 20 minute walk up to the top of Iwata mountain to the Monkey Park. Enjoy possible monkey viewing and an amazing view of Kyoto City.
Explore the beauty of the bamboo and be transfixed by one of the top soundscapes of Japan!
Stroll through one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Kyoto at the World Heritage Tenryuji Temple.
Take in the breathtaking mountain landscape of Arashiyama as you admire one of Japan's most iconic bridges- a view that perfectly captures the region's timeless beauty.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- E-bikes and youth bikes are available upon request (additional fee may apply)
- *AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
Reviews(335)
Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke great English. Yuki was his name. Gave many recommendations and knew all there was to know. Would highly recommend!!
We had the best experience with our guide Peter. I can really recommend this to all. You get around seeing a lot on your bicycle also areas with no tourists.
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re excited to hear you had such a great experience with Peter. One of the highlights of our Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour is exploring the quieter neighborhoods and hidden spots that many visitors never get to see, in addition to the Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Kyoto again someday! Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
What a fun day! We went in the heat of the day in July so it ended up just being our family of 4 (husband, myself and two sons, 18 and 16) on this tour. Worked out great as we were able to customize this to fit our needs. Our guide Rob did an amazing job of keeping us cool with some frozen water bottles and electrolyte water. He also knew all the paths to keep us in the shade. Rob is fluent in English and Japanese so he was easy to understand and had an obvious passion for Japan and his job. Feeding the monkeys was a fantastic experience. Just know it is a doozy of a climb. My 50 year old body made it up to the top and Rob was very accommodating with the breaks. I’d recommend this tour as long as you’re good with a steep climb.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so pleased you enjoyed exploring Arashiyama with Rob. It’s wonderful to hear that the frozen water, electrolytes, and shaded routes helped make the tour comfortable despite the July heat. We’re also glad you enjoyed the Monkey Park and the hidden spots beyond the Bamboo Forest. Thank you for recommending our tour, and we hope to welcome your family back again! Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
This bike tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan! Cycling through Arashiyama was the perfect way to experience the area. We visited the bamboo forest, the monkey park, beautiful temples and several hidden spots that we would never have found on our own. The pace was relaxed, the bikes were comfortable, and the route was easy to follow. The combination of sightseeing, cycling and local insights made this experience much more memorable than simply walking around on our own. If you're visiting Kyoto and want to see more than just the typical tourist spots, we highly recommend this tour. It was excellent value for money and an experience we won't forget. We did the tour in 35°C+ heat, but our guide made sure everyone stayed comfortable by planning plenty of stops for water (included, thanks!!), shade, and short breaks. Thank you Peter!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that our Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots was one of the highlights of your trip to Japan. Exploring Arashiyama by bike is a wonderful way to discover not only the Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park, but also the peaceful temples and hidden corners that many visitors miss. We’re especially pleased to hear that Peter helped keep everyone comfortable despite the summer heat with plenty of water breaks, shade, and a relaxed pace. Creating an enjoyable and safe experience is always our priority. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Kyoto for another ride in the future! Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
Greatest bike tour ever! Our guide Yuki was so knowledgeable and friendly. We learned so much on this tour and the spots that we went to were so beautiful and fun. Definitely recommend! Ask for Yuki for the best time ever.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you had such a great experience on our Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots. It’s wonderful that Yuki’s knowledge and friendly personality helped make the tour both fun and memorable, and that you enjoyed the beautiful places you visited along the way. Thank you for your recommendation and your kind words about Yuki. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Kyoto for another ride in the future! Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
Found out about the tour from a previous visitor and Kyoto bike tours was able to add us at the last minute. Peter was informative about the local history and legends behind the places we visited. Teaching about proper etiquette at the shrines and temples. In addition we were provided with plenty of water, rest stops and a pace that took into account the extreme heat on the day of our tour.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you were able to join us, even at the last minute, and that you enjoyed exploring Arashiyama with Peter. The Afternoon Tour is designed to combine Kyoto’s famous sights with quieter local spots while sharing the history, legends, and traditions that bring each location to life. We’re also pleased to hear that Peter adapted the pace to the summer heat with regular water breaks and rest stops, ensuring everyone stayed comfortable throughout the tour. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Kyoto for another ride in the future. Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
We loved our tour with Don. We visited the monkeys, temple and bamboo with our 2 boys age 13 and 15. Everyone enjoyed it, we visited sites we wouldn’t have routinely seen. Don was extremely informative and great company. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad your whole family enjoyed the afternoon tour. Along with the Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest, and temple visits, we love showing guests some of the quieter places they might otherwise miss. Thank you as well for your kind words about Don. It’s wonderful to hear that his knowledge and company helped make the experience so enjoyable for both you and your boys. We appreciate you choosing Kyoto Bike Tour and hope your family left with many great memories of Kyoto. Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
This tour and our guide Dan were awesome. The bikes were well maintained, the helmets fit perfectly, and the water was ice cold on a warm day. The monkey park was fascinating. The humans were in a cage and the monkeys roamed free. The Shinto shrine was conducting it semi-annual purification ritual and, with Dan’s guidance, we all got to cleanse our souls. The Buddhist temple was located in the bamboo forest. The bamboo forest was amazing and the temple garden was stunning. It’s easy to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout the tour Dan regaled us with historical references, anecdotes and insightful information. The tour met all my expectations - and more. It was truly a memorable experience. I highly recommend Kyoto Bike Tours and our guide - Dan. Thank for a splendid afternoon.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear the tour exceeded your expectations. It’s especially rewarding to know you enjoyed the unique mix of Arashiyama’s famous highlights, quieter hidden corners, and the opportunity to experience a traditional Shinto purification ceremony. Moments like these often become the most memorable part of a visit to Kyoto. Thank you as well for your kind words about Don. Our guides are passionate about sharing the history, culture, and traditions that make Kyoto so special, and we’re thrilled you had such an enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Kyoto again in the future. Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
I had an incredible experience on this bike tour, and Yuki was the best tour guide! He shared so much fascinating knowledge about Kyoto's history, culture, and attractions, making every stop interesting and meaningful. He was incredibly friendly, enthusiastic, and made the whole tour so much fun. It was the perfect way to explore Kyoto, and I learned so much along the way. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kyoto. Thank you, Yuki, for such an unforgettable experience!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you had such a memorable experience exploring Kyoto with us. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed learning about the city’s history, culture, and traditions while discovering some of Arashiyama’s famous sights as well as its quieter hidden corners. Thank you for your kind words about Yuki. Our guides are passionate about creating fun, engaging, and informative experiences, so we’re thrilled your afternoon tour was such a highlight. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Kyoto again in the future. Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
The bike ride and tour guide were great and easy! Seeing the bamboo forest and monkeys, temples was a great experience!!
We’re happy to hear you enjoyed exploring the Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park, and temples by bike. It’s great to know you found the ride comfortable and had an enjoyable experience with your guide. Thank you for choosing Kyoto Bike Tour, and we appreciate your thoughtful review. Kind regards, Kyoto Bike Tour
