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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto)

Top rated
4.6
Activity provider: TripGuru Japan
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto)
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto) 2
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto) 3
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Tour in Kyoto, taking in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Run by TripGuru Japan, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Runs 3 hours
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • 3-hour walking tour
  • Entrance fees: Tenryu-ji Temple (if option selected)
  • Entrance fees: Okochi Sanso Villa (if option selected)

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto): Key Facts

PriceFrom $51 per person
Duration3 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 3-hour experience from Kyoto, built around Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It is run by TripGuru Japan, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.

Arashiyama, on Kyoto's western edge, is the bamboo grove, the Togetsukyo bridge over the Katsura river, the gardens of Tenryu-ji and the monkey park on the hill above. The bamboo path is about 500 metres and is photographed empty in every guidebook because those photographs are taken before 7:30; by mid-morning it is a procession. Rickshaw runs, the Sagano scenic railway along the gorge, and boat rides down the Hozu rapids all start here. Autumn colour peaks in the second half of November and cherry blossom around the first week of April.

The price covers tour guide, 3-hour walking tour, Entrance fees: Tenryu-ji Temple, Entrance fees: Okochi Sanso Villa and Matcha tea break with traditional snacks at Okochi Sanso. It does not cover Hotel pickup and drop-off and Personal expenses, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

TripGuru Japan sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with TripGuru Japan before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

2 starting location options

Tully’s Coffee - Randen Arashiyama Station, Umahori Station

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Visit, Guided tour (3 hours)

2 drop-off locations

Randen Arashiyama Station Center, Tully’s Coffee - Randen Arashiyama Station

Detailed Itinerary

2 starting location options: Tully’s Coffee - Randen Arashiyama Station, Umahori Station

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Visit, Guided tour (3 hours)

2 drop-off locations: Randen Arashiyama Station Center, Tully’s Coffee - Randen Arashiyama Station

Includes

  • English-speaking tour guide
  • 3-hour walking tour
  • Entrance fees: Tenryu-ji Temple (if option selected)
  • Entrance fees: Okochi Sanso Villa (if option selected)
  • Matcha tea break with traditional snacks at Okochi Sanso Villa (if option selected)
  • Sagano Romantic Train ride (Private Tour with Train Ride package only)

Excludes

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Personal expenses

Important information

Meeting point

TripGuru Japan sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $51
$51
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

4.6/5
based on 31 reviews
Guide
5/5
Value for money
4.9/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
M
Murray
March 9, 2024

Mya was a spectacular guide. He was informative and able to answer lots of questions thrown his way. He went over and above for us, I would highly recommend him! The tour was beautiful. We will definitely come back again when everything is in full bloom.

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
J
Jeffrey
December 13, 2025

Alex (our guide) was enthusiastic, knowledgable and helpful; both with providing information and with getting an overweight senior (me) through some rocky uphill and downhill paths. You might look at a map of Arashiyama, see that the sights all seem right next to each other, and conclude that it's easy to get from point A to B to C to D, but it really isn't all that simple, so we were glad Alex knew which lanes to go down. Though it was a cold and cloudy day, we had an excellent little adventure.

5
J
Jessica
July 14, 2025

We loved the private guide through the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and we got to see some beautiful sights and learn about the area too.

5
G
Galia
June 15, 2025

Excellent tour, great guide. Alex is knowledgeable and personable.

5
A
Alessia
February 5, 2025

Yuko was so knowledgeable and made the beautiful scenery all the more accessible to us. We loved touring the gardens and seeing the magic in both the natural and man made landscapes

5
A
Alexandra
August 8, 2024

Without a doubt, one of our favourite tours during our trip to Japan! Vincent was an incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable guide, who went above and beyond to ensure we made the most of our day. We enjoyed our day from beginning to end, and can't thank Vincent enough.

5
A
Amanda
May 12, 2024

Gus was a brilliant guide. So knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the tour and his company. Would highly recommend Gus whether you are considering a private tour with him or in a group.

5
l
lori
March 10, 2024

The tour was awesome. Our guide Micah was so knowledgeable about everything. She pointed out all of the information about the temples and everything that we saw was amazing. We absolutely loved it. We would do it again. What great tour guide!!

5
G
Glen
October 25, 2023

Loved our 3 hour walk through the bamboo forest and gardens. Our guide Boris was very knowledgeable and easy to understand.super laid back as well. I would recommend this activity.

5
M
MENGJIA
September 22, 2023

It was really good experience!! I was lucky that it was only me for that trip and it was like a private tour! Ai was so nice to explain me all, took pictures for me and adjust the schedule for me. Really recommend it!!

5
H
Hirsa
August 30, 2023

great VIP Tour with the best guide ever! thanks Damien for making the tour so interesting and worthwhile. A lot of knowledge about culture and language and the area! Great guide!

5
T
Traveller
November 19, 2025

El parque del actor.Los árboles del paisaje estaban espectaculares

Frequently Asked Questions

TripGuru Japan sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
The price does not cover hotel pickup and drop-off and personal expenses. Everything it does cover is listed in full on this page, so if something is not on that list, budget for it separately.
Shoes off at every hall, quiet voices, and no photographs inside the halls unless a sign allows it. At a shrine, rinse hands and mouth at the basin, then bow twice, clap twice and bow once; at a temple, hands together without clapping. Dress is relaxed, but shoulders and knees covered is the courteous choice.
We confirm your booking with the operator before we treat it as final, and we need at least one day's notice. Once it is confirmed you get the meeting point, the time and a contact number for the day. If the operator cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
English-speaking tour guide, 3-hour walking tour, Entrance fees: Tenryu-ji Temple (if option selected), Entrance fees: Okochi Sanso Villa (if option selected), Matcha tea break with traditional snacks at Okochi Sanso Villa (if option selected), Sagano Romantic Train ride (Private Tour with Train Ride package only)
The duration of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Train, Matcha and Temple Tour (Kyoto) is typically 3 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Late March to early April for cherry blossom, or mid-to-late November for peak autumn foliage. Kyoto sits in a basin and runs hotter in summer and colder in winter than Tokyo, even at a similar latitude. Full month-by-month figures are in our best time to visit Kyoto guide.
Kyoto never built an extensive subway — just two lines (Karasuma and Tozai) — so the city bus network does most of the work, especially for Higashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkakuji. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are best reached by JR rail instead. See getting around Kyoto.
Three days covers the essentials well: a day for Higashiyama and Gion, a day for Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, and a day for Fushimi Inari plus a Nara or Uji day trip. Our 3-day Kyoto itinerary has the full route with timing.
Arrive by 6:30-7am — the shrine is open 24/7 and free, and most visitors only walk the first 20-30 minutes anyway. Past that point the crowds thin out fast. Full hike details in our Fushimi Inari guide.
Yes — it's a public path with no entrance fee and no set hours. The trade-off is that it gets shoulder-to-shoulder by mid-morning; arrive before 8am for a nearly empty walk. See the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest guide.
Kyoto restricts photography on certain private alleys in Gion after complaints about tourists chasing and blocking geiko and maiko, with fines for violators. Public streets like Hanamikoji-dori remain open, but never chase, touch or block a real geiko/maiko anywhere. Full etiquette in our Gion geisha district guide.
Yudofu (simmered tofu, best near Nanzen-ji or Arashiyama), kaiseki and shojin ryori temple cuisine, and Nishiki Market's stalls of tako tamago and fresh yuba. Uji, just south of the city, is one of Japan's top matcha-growing regions. See the Kyoto food guide.
Starting from$51