Bamboo Grove Walks in Kyoto: 15 Sorted by What They Cost

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

1.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122Our pick

See seven Kyoto highlights in nine hours with an English-speaking guide such as Den, At-Chan, Sakura, or Tommy. Ride between Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama, Tenryuji, Kinkakuji, and Fushimi Inari, with entry tickets, Wi-Fi, audio guidance, and an optional Japanese buffet lunch included.

“Den is an amazing guide, she truly made our day special. We really enjoyed the tour today, learning new historical information on Japanese history in Kyoto. Thank you so much for an amazing day.”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

2.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53Top rated

Walk through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide, visiting Tenryu-ji Temple, the bamboo forest, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. You’ll also receive a Uji matcha drink. Guides have included Tim, Sofia, Nay, and Gabriele. Expect about four hours of walking, including a steep climb to the monkeys.

“Wonderful tour. Loved it. Sofia was very informative and attentive. We had a very good time. Definitely worth it.”

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Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night

3.Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 625 reviews · from $43Best value

Meet guides such as Aron, Aaron, Zowee, or Kalle at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a drink, local ghost stories, true crime tales, and a night walk through the bamboo forest. The tour lasts about two and a half hours, includes a brief solo walk in the dark, and suits adults and older teens who enjoy atmosphere more than jump scares.

“We did the Kyoto Ghost Tour mostly to see the Bamboo Forest at night without the usual daytime crowds, and it was definitely worth it. We’re not really into ghost stories, but Aaron’s tales were pretty cool and it added some nice atmosphere to the evening. Seeing the forest all quiet and dark made the whole experience feel unique. The sounds from the train tracks made it pretty spooky!! A random dog wandered over halfway through the tour. It sat down like it was listening to the stories too, and the owner couldn’t get it to move. That was a funny moment!! Overall, a cool experience!”

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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

4.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · from $106

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private ride with an English-speaking guide such as Rob, Yuki, Ray, Milo, or Cass. Use a standard Cannondale city bike to visit the bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, quiet shrines, temples, and countryside lanes. Bikes, helmets, and water are included.

“Great trip to the bamboo forest, lily ponds, temple and then onto rice fields, temples, and hidden backstreets. Really good to have stepped out of the city bustle . Cass was a really good guide and ensured all on the tour enjoyed it.”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

5.Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 432 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Meet your guide at or near Togetsu-kyo Bridge for a private rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Choose 45, 70, 130, or 190 minutes. Your guide takes you through the bamboo forest’s special rickshaw path, Nonomiya Shrine, quiet backstreets, temples, gardens, and photo stops. Guides such as Aki, Koki, Shin, and Lucas are known for strong English and excellent photos.

“My family received great attention from Yoshi and Yuji. Before the tour they asked us what we would like to see, giving us different options to choose from. Our guides made sure we had a special time while on the rickshaw tour. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and we learned a lot from them about local history and culture. Our guides were attentive and polite. They spoke very good English and had excellent sense of humour.”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

6.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · from $129

Walk Arashiyama with a certified guide and no more than seven people. Visit Hokyoin, Tenryuji, Okochi Sanso Garden, the bamboo forest, and Togetsukyo Bridge, with temple admissions, matcha, lunch, and tour photos included. Guides such as Josh, Yuki, Ayuri, Masa, and Hiroko have been praised for clear cultural explanations and personal attention.

“This was a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Japanese religion and history. She took us to off-the-beaten-path locations, including a temple with the most beautiful, serene garden, and a garden with amazing views of the city and mountains. We also visited a famous shrine. And of course, the bamboo forest, which is really something to see. We went early enough that it wasn't too crowded. The tour included a delicious vegetarian kaiseki lunch, and our guide explained what everything was and how to eat it. The pace of the tour was perfect for the very hot weather,…”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

7.Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $86

This private Ebisuya tour takes you by rickshaw through Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, past Nonomiya Shrine, and to a quiet photo stop before a short walk into the forest. Guides such as Ocean, Yoshi, Hikaru, and Shota are praised for clear English, local stories, and excellent phone photography. Choose a 1 or 2-hour route, and book early morning for fewer people.

“All we can say is wow, it was fantastic. Highly recommend, it was a very hot day and we were running late but the rickshaw company were great. We had Yoshi and he was a very friendly and well informed young man, with incredible fitness. We instantly connected with him and we enjoyed every moment of this tour. If your thinkin* about it,mit is totally worth it, so happy we did.”

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Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

8.Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $106

Start at Saga-Arashiyama Station at 1 p.m. for a small-group ride to Iwatayama Monkey Park, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Guides such as Yuki, Rob, Peter, and Ray add local stories and cultural context. Bikes, helmets, water, and admissions are included, but the monkey park requires a 20-minute uphill walk.

“What a great cultural and educational experience. My wife and I did a morning tour with Peter and enjoyed every moment of our time. We wish we would have scheduled the tour earlier in our stay because it was so educational and heRead more”

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Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

9.Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 265 reviews · from $69

Spend about nine hours visiting Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, and Nara Park by coach. Guides such as Eiko, Yuki, Jewel, and Hama add local stories and clear directions. Choose Kyoto or Osaka departure, and check whether lunch and temple tickets are included in your option.

“Eiko was a fantastic guide! So lovely and very knowledgable! Even offered to take photos of us at certain places. Great tour and a really great experience!”

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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest E-Biking Tour

10.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest E-Biking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · from $116

This 4-hour-15-minute small-group ride takes you beyond Kyoto’s main sights by electric bike. With guides such as Yuta, Michael, Sean, and Henry, you’ll visit quiet temples, cycle rural roads, walk the bamboo grove, and receive bikes, helmets, temple fees, and snacks. Strong cycling skills are essential.

“We had a wonderful time on the tour with Sean. He knows Kyoto inside and out and loved sharing his knowledge. The tour was fantastic and we saw more of Kyoto in the four hours of the tour than we ever would have on our own. The elecRead more”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike

11.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 3h 30m · from $103

Start early with an English-speaking guide such as Milo, Rob, Ray, Yuki, or Peter, then ride through Arashiyama for 210 minutes. You’ll visit the bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji gardens, quiet temples, shrines, residential lanes, and rice fields. Bikes, helmets, water, and admission fees are included.

“Our guide Rob was excellent. So knowledgable, interesting and full of facts. He made us all feel really safe navigating the roads on our bikes and i would highly recommend this tour and I hope you get Rob because he is awesome!”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Scenery Customized Private Tour

12.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Scenery Customized Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · from $132

Meet your licensed English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private four-hour walk through Kyoto’s bamboo forest, temples, gardens, and old Sagano lanes. Choose two or three main stops, such as Tenryu-ji, Jojakko-ji, Okochi Sanso, or Togetsukyo Bridge. Walking and local transport are at your expense.

“Takuma Goda was a great tour guide very knowledgeable and spoke really beautiful english. He had a passion for the scenery and the knew the history of the area. Happy to personalise the walk to everyone involved. Thank you again.”

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Kyoto: Ghost Tour – Legends, Dark Tales, Bamboo Forest Night

13.Ghost Tour – Legends, Dark Tales, Bamboo Forest Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 2h 30m · from $50

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a 150-minute night walk through Arashiyama. Hear Japanese ghost lore, crime stories, and local legends, then test your nerve with a solo bamboo-forest walk. Guides including Aron, Eric, Zowee, and Kalle add humor, history, and a final creepy surprise. A drink and anti-curse QR code are included.

“Arran was a great guide. He had loads of scary stories to tell and the bamboo forest was very atmospheric. He really looked after us and made sure we all got back the train at the end.”

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Private Walking Tour in Bamboo Forest & Hidden Spots in Arashiyama

14.Private Walking Tour in Bamboo Forest & Hidden Spots in Arashiyama

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 86 reviews · from $85

Start at Saga-Arashiyama Station and walk through Sagano with your private guide, visiting Seiryoji Temple, the preserved streets of Saga Toriimoto, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, the famous bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Temple admission, meals, and transport are extra.

“Loved the forest...not so much all the people. The gardens within the forest were especially lovely. You have to pay about 500 yen but it is well worth it. You have tea and biscuit and then wander through the lovely garden. Vistas were great.”

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Kyoto: Afternoon Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park Bike Tour

15.Afternoon Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 83 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Spend four hours cycling Arashiyama with a small group of up to eight. Ride through bamboo and quiet back roads, visit Tenryuji Temple, hike 20 minutes to Monkey Park, and pause at Togetsukyo Bridge. Guides such as Yuki, Ray, Peter, and Rob add local history, safety help, and useful Kyoto tips.

“Excellent tour. We saw the monkeys and bamboo forest but some a temple and other landmarks in the area. Our guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and fun!”

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