Bamboo Grove Temple and Garden Views Tour
Description
Meeting point at Kyoto Station, easy to find and accessible to everyone. We board the train all together and travel for less than 20 minutes. Explore the highlights of Saga-Arashiyama, Western part of Kyoto. Wander through the towering stalks of Bamboo Forest, experience the serene garden and pond of Tenryuji Temple, trek the hill gardens of Okochi Sanso and enjoy the free unlimited drinks of green teas. Visit the historical Nonomiya Shrine, stroll across the colorful pillars of Kimono Forest. Take a break for lunch, indulge your cravings with local Japanese foods and sweets. Walk through the iconic Togetsukyo bridge and hike up the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where you can observe and feed the snow monkeys. Take in and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic mountain views of Kyoto.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Walk through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks sway gently overhead, creating a serene, otherworldly atmosphere. As sunlight filters through the dense green canopy, the rustling bamboo and quiet path invite peaceful reflection. Your guide will share the cultural and spiritual significance of this iconic Kyoto landmark.
Step into the quiet charm of Nonomiya Jinja, a small but sacred Shinto shrine nestled in a bamboo grove. Known for its connection to imperial history and blessings for love and purification, it offers a peaceful pause along the Arashiyama path. Your guide will share its unique traditions, including the ancient role it played in preparing imperial princesses for shrine service.
Take a peaceful walk through the gardens of Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a jewel of Zen design. The path winds past a tranquil pond, artfully placed stones, and seasonal plants, all set against the backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains. The serene landscape invites quiet reflection and a sense of harmony with nature.
Embark on a tranquil journey through Okochi Sanso, a hillside villa and garden crafted over 30 years by famed actor Denjiro Okochi. At the summit you will enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto, Mount Hiei, and the Hozu River gorge.
Kimono forest, a vibrant walkway features 600 glowing pillars wrapped in traditional kimono textiles, creating elegance and enchantment, perfect for photos and quiet reflection.
Stroll across the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, where the Katsura River flows gently beneath and the Arashiyama mountains rise in the distance. With each step, enjoy sweeping views that change beautifully with the seasons—from cherry blossoms to autumn leaves. The bridge offers a perfect moment to pause and take in the natural beauty of Kyoto.
(20 minutes hiking)Embark on a scenic hike to Iwatayama Monkey Park, where over 120 wild Japanese macaques roam freely in their natural habitat. The well-maintained trail takes approximately 20–30 minutes to ascend, offering glimpses of the monkeys along the way. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto city and the surrounding mountains while observing the macaques in a tranquil forest setting.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Reviews(77)
Our tour guide Marie was very upbeat & informative, and made the tour feel quite interactive. Would do another trip with this travel group
The tour was great and covered a lot of things. Every stop was an amazing site. Maricel (Marie) was a great guide. Very nice and informative!
Great tour along with Marie, very good explanation, very friendly! :)
Our tour guide was amazing! You must try this!
Marie was so kind!! And the trip was great, the bamboo forest, shrine, and temples were beautiful. July is a very hot season to visit though, bring an umbrella / sunscreen / water!
Mari was amazing. The tour helped me learn a lot about Kyoto's history.
An amazing experience! Our guide Marie was so sweet, incredibly helpful, and packed with historical knowledge. She went above and beyond, even taking a bunch of great photos for us. If you get a chance to book a tour with her, do it! 10/10.
Had a great time with Marie! She led the tour extremely fun and educational!
Marie was a wonderful guide and was very knowledgeable about the bamboo forest, temple and the monkey park.
It was a wonderful experience. Overall very worth it for the money and perfect timing with time for lunch as well.
