Kyoto day tours with Arashiyama at a glance
The classic Kyoto day tour is a one-day coach trip that links five stops: Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, Arashiyama with the bamboo path and Tenryū-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari. It lasts about 8 to 9 hours and starts in the morning at Kyoto Avanti. The guide speaks English live, and the coach audio is available in several languages including German.
If you only want Arashiyama, a morning walking tour is the shorter choice. The coach tour only gives you a short stop in Arashiyama, so it suits visitors who want a first look at many places in one day.
Our picks: Kyoto day tours with Arashiyama
Our take: the bus tour with temple tickets is the most booked and the easiest. Choose the early morning tour if crowds bother you, and the Nara tour if you start in Osaka.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kyoto in one day by bus with the bamboo grove
- Temple tickets incl. Kinkaku-ji
- Air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi
- Multilingual audio headsets
The most booked day tour: Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama with temple tickets. Lunch is only part of the matching option.
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Early morning tour: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
- English-speaking guide
- Three Kyoto sights in one morning
Six hours that reach the busiest places early. The Kinkaku-ji entry is paid on site.
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Nara, Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama by bus
- English or Chinese-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Parking and fuel fees
A long day that combines three areas, with free time in Arashiyama. Good value if you start in Osaka.
Check availability →Kyoto day tours and Arashiyama tours
Coach tours, walking tours and combinations from Kyoto, with current prices and availability. Check the stops, the meeting point and what is included before you book.
Coach tour and walking tour compared
Prices are per person in JPY, as listed for 2026. Check the current price for your date.
| Tour | Duration | Price 2026 | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day coach tour | about 8 to 9 hours | from JPY 19,000, or JPY 20,000 with buffet lunch | Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari |
| Arashiyama walking tour | morning, ends 11:50 to 12:30 | JPY 12,000 | Jōjakkō-ji, bamboo path, Tenryū-ji garden, Togetsukyō |
| Walking tour with river boat | morning | JPY 14,000 | Same stops, plus a local river boat |
The coach tour adds JPY 2,000 for March to April, October and 19 to 31 December. For most visitors who want several famous sights in one day, the coach tour is the simplest choice. For most visitors who mainly want Arashiyama, the walking tour is the better use of a morning.
The one-day coach tour
The meeting point is Kyoto Avanti, in front of Tully's, at 07:50. The coach leaves at 08:00. The price includes the coach, the guide and the temple entries listed on the tour page. Hotel pickup, personal expenses and optional activities are not included. The Arashiyama stop is for the bamboo path and Tenryū-ji only, so do not expect a rickshaw, a Torokko ride or a Hozu boat as part of it.
The operator may change the order of the stops because of traffic or weather. Child prices and the maximum group size are shown on the booking page for your date.
For the Arashiyama stop, see Tenryū-ji. The other stops have their own guides: Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera.
The Arashiyama walking tour
This morning tour covers about 4 km with an English-speaking licensed guide. It stops at Jōjakkō-ji, the bamboo path, the Tenryū-ji garden and Togetsukyō. The meeting point is the basement level B1F of Kyoto Avanti at 08:30, with departure at 08:40. It ends at Kyoto Station between 11:50 and 12:30.
The guide, entrance fees and public transport are included. Lunch and the Yakatabune boat are not. Seats on the JR train are not guaranteed. At least 2 participants are needed for the tour to run, and one person may book. Booking is possible until 05:00 on the day, and cancellation fees apply from 10 days before.
A second version, priced at JPY 14,000, adds a short local river boat. It is not the Hozugawa ride through the gorge. For the gorge, see the Hozugawa river boat ride. The boat version meets at 08:30 and must be booked by the day before, and at high water the boat can be replaced by a visit to a museum or Ōkōchi Sansō without a partial refund.
Tips for choosing a Kyoto day tour
Count the stops
Five stops in 8 to 9 hours means short visits. If Arashiyama is the main reason for your trip, choose a tour that gives it a morning.
Check what is included
Coach, guide and listed temple entries are included in the coach tour. Lunch is optional. Walking tours exclude lunch and the Yakatabune boat.
Mind the months
The coach tour costs JPY 2,000 more in March to April, October and late December.
Self-guided is an option
You can reach Arashiyama on your own by train and bus. See getting to Arashiyama for the routes.
Kyoto day tour: frequently asked questions
What does a Kyoto day tour with Arashiyama cost?
The coach tour costs from JPY 19,000 per person without lunch, or JPY 20,000 with a buffet lunch, in 2026. The Arashiyama walking tour is JPY 12,000 per person.
Where does the coach tour start?
At Kyoto Avanti, in front of Tully's. Meeting time is 07:50 and the coach leaves at 08:00.
How long do I get in Arashiyama on the coach tour?
It is one of five stops in about 8 to 9 hours, so the visit is short. If you want time at the bamboo path and the Tenryū-ji garden, choose the walking tour or go on your own.
Is a guide in German available?
The live guide speaks English. The coach has multilingual audio that includes German.
Does the day tour include the Hozu boat or the Sagano train?
No. The Arashiyama stop covers the bamboo path and Tenryū-ji. The Sagano Romantic Train and the boat are separate tickets.
Can one person book the walking tour?
Yes, one person can book, but at least 2 participants are needed for the tour to run. Booking is possible until 05:00 on the day.