Arashiyama tours at a glance
The bamboo path is free to walk, so a tour pays for the guide, the transport and the temple entries rather than for the bamboo itself. The simplest format is a guided walk of about 4 km with an English-speaking, state-licensed guide. It visits Jōjakkō-ji, the bamboo path, the garden of Tenryū-ji and Togetsukyō Bridge.
In 2026 JTB Sunrise offers this walk at JPY 12,000 per person. The group meets at Kyoto Avanti, lower level B1F, at 08:30 and leaves at 08:40. The tour ends back at Kyoto Station between 11:50 and 12:30. The guide, the entries and public transport are included. Lunch is not, and seats on the JR train are not guaranteed.
Our picks: guided Arashiyama tours
Our take: the five-hour walk covers the most paid stops for the price. The four-hour tour is shorter and still includes Tenryū-ji and the monkey park, and the bus tour suits you if you come from 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.
Bamboo forest, temples and Ōkōchi Sansō
- Ōkōchi Sansō, Tenryū-ji and monkey park tickets
- Bilingual local guide
- Green tea
Five hours with a bilingual local guide, and the tickets for three paid stops are already in the price.
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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.
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Bamboo forest, monkey park and temple
- English-speaking guide
- Tenryū-ji entry
- Monkey park entry
Four hours on foot with the Tenryū-ji and monkey park entries already included.
Check availability →Arashiyama tours and day trips
Guided walks, rickshaw rides, boat trips and bus tours from Kyoto, with live prices and availability. Check the meeting point and what is included before you book.
Three ways to see Arashiyama with a guide
Prices are per person for 2026 and depend on the booking date.
| Option | Price | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided walk, about 4 km | JPY 12,000 | Meet 08:30, back at Kyoto Station 11:50 to 12:30 | Guide, entries and public transport included; lunch not included |
| Guided walk with a local boat | JPY 14,000 | Meet 08:30 | Same temple and bamboo focus plus a boat ride on the river at Arashiyama; lunch not included |
| Kyoto bus tour with Arashiyama | From JPY 19,000, or JPY 20,000 with a buffet lunch | About 8 to 9 hours, meet 07:50 | Five sights in one day; Arashiyama is one stop |
| Rickshaw ride | From JPY 4,000 per rickshaw | 12 minutes to 3 hours | Priced per rickshaw, see the rickshaw page |
For most first visits, the 4 km walk is the simplest choice: it covers the bamboo path, the temple garden and the bridge in one morning. Pick the bus tour only if you want Arashiyama as one of several sights in a single day.
The walk and its boat version
At least 2 people must join for the walk to run, and one person may book. You can book until 05:00 on the day of the tour. Paid cancellation starts 10 days before. Prices for adults, children and infants depend on the date, so check the booking view for the day you want.
The version with a boat costs JPY 14,000 per person. It adds a local boat trip on the river at Arashiyama and must be booked by the day before at the latest. It is a local yakatabune ride on the river, not the Hozugawa ride through the gorge. If the water is high, the boat can be replaced by a visit to the Fukuda Art Museum or Ōkōchi Sansō, and there is no partial refund.
The boat through the gorge is a separate trip from Kameoka, covered on the Hozugawa river boat page.
The Kyoto bus tour
One long day, one operator, five sights.
What it visits
Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, Arashiyama with the bamboo path and Tenryū-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari. The operator can change the order because of traffic or weather.
Kyoto day tours →Price and times
From JPY 19,000 per person without lunch and JPY 20,000 with a buffet. The price rises by JPY 2,000 in March and April, in October and from 19 to 31 December. The group meets at 07:50 at Kyoto Avanti in front of Tully's and leaves at 08:00.
Language and extras
The live guide speaks English, and the bus audio comes in several languages including German. A coach, the guide and the temple entries named in the booking are included. Hotel pickup and personal spending are not.
Details on the sights themselves live on the sister guides for Fushimi Inari tours and Kiyomizu-dera tours. Do not expect a rickshaw, the Sagano train or the Hozu boat to be part of a stop in Arashiyama.
Arashiyama tours: frequently asked questions
Do I need a tour to see the bamboo forest?
No. The main path is a free public road of about 400 m. A tour adds a guide, transport and temple entries, which is useful if you want the background or prefer not to organise the day yourself.
How long does the guided walk take?
The walk meets at 08:30 and leaves at 08:40. The group returns to Kyoto Station between 11:50 and 12:30, so plan the morning and leave the afternoon for other sights.
What does the walking tour include?
The guide, the entries and public transport. Lunch is not included, and a seat on the JR train is not guaranteed.
Can one person book?
Yes, one person can book, but at least 2 people must join for the tour to take place. You can book until 05:00 on the day of the tour. Paid cancellation starts 10 days before.
Is the boat on the walk the same as the Hozugawa ride?
No. The boat on the walk is a local ride on the river at Arashiyama. The Hozugawa ride goes from Kameoka through the gorge and is booked separately.
Does the Kyoto bus tour stay long in Arashiyama?
The tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours and visits five sights, so Arashiyama is one stop among several. If you want time for a temple garden and a bridge walk, the guided walk gives you more of the area.