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Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour

Top rated
4.4
Activity provider: VIP Japan Tour
Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour
Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour 2
Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour 3
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Full-day tour in Nara, taking in Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kimono Forest. Run by VIP Japan Tour, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Arashiyama
  • Togetsukyo Bridge
  • Kimono Forest
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Runs 9 hours
  • Lunch (if this option is selected)

Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour: Key Facts

PriceFrom $71 per person
Duration9 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 9-hour experience in Nara, built around Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kimono Forest. It is run by VIP Japan Tour, 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.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari, the deity of rice and business, and its thousand-plus vermilion torii gates, each donated by a company or family, run in tunnels up the 233-metre Mount Inari behind the main hall. The full loop to the summit is about four kilometres and two hours; most visitors turn back at the Yotsutsuji viewpoint halfway. It is open 24 hours and free, which makes it the one big Kyoto sight you can do at dawn or after dark, when the gates are empty and lit. By nine in the morning the lower tunnels are a slow queue. The fox statues carry keys to the rice granary in their mouths.

The price covers Lunch, English or Chinese-speaking guide and Comfortable air-conditioned bus transportation. It does not cover 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.

VIP Japan Tour 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 VIP Japan Tour 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

VIPヴィラなんば, 京都VIPラウンジ

Arashiyama

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (2.67 hours)

Togetsukyo Bridge

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Kimono Forest

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Nara Park

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (80 minutes)

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (80 minutes)

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Senbontorii

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Self-guided tour

2 drop-off locations

京都VIPラウンジ, VIPヴィラなんば

Detailed Itinerary

2 starting location options: VIPヴィラなんば, 京都VIPラウンジ

Arashiyama: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (2.67 hours)

Togetsukyo Bridge: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Kimono Forest: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour

Nara Park: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (80 minutes)

Fushimi Inari Taisha: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Bus tour (80 minutes)

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Senbontorii: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Self-guided tour

Includes

  • Lunch (if this option is selected)
  • English or Chinese-speaking guide
  • Comfortable air-conditioned bus transportation

Excludes

  • Personal expenses

Important information

Meeting point

VIP Japan Tour 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 9 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $71
$71
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

4.4/5
based on 1075 reviews
Guide
4.5/5
Value for money
4.4/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
P
Pt
September 13, 2026

Such a fantastic day! Well organised and informative as well as being fun! Book it, you will not be disappointed!

Review photo 1
5
K
Kim
August 13, 2026

Harid was amazing. He had a great knowledge of the hot spots and made sure we had great pictures. The bus was clean and permissive. He was very clear on directions. And everything went smoothly as planned. Highly recommend!

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
J
Julia
April 14, 2026

Nothing that I would change from today's tour.The stops were well thought out , and plenty of time was given for people to look around and take in the sides

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
E
Emma
August 11, 2026

Tracey was the best guide we have had in japan, he was easy to understand, kept everyone on track, but wasn't rushed at all.

5
R
Rebecca
August 4, 2026

we had a fantastic day with Gary looking after us. everything we excellently organised (although the initial pickup was a little late so we were a bit worried we'd missed it at the start). The lich was one of the best meals we've had on our 3 week trip to Japan. We really enjoyed being able to see the main sights, and everything was really clearly explained and communicated so that all went smoothly. Would highly recommend this trip

5
V
Valerie
May 26, 2026

Great way to see some of the famous spots of Kyoto! You get time to explore each place on your own. Be mindful of arriving on time on the departures time as it does affect the trip, either than that had a great time

5
H
Hasan
May 5, 2026

Gary is a great tour leader very helpful, well coordinated and experienced.

5
J
Janet
May 4, 2026

Excellent guide and wonderful sights. Gary took time to explain customs and tradition, along with some historical information. We purchased the meal, which was at a friendly, family style restaurant and it was very tasty. My spouse has mobility challenges and parts of the trip was too much due to the uneven stone walkways and distance to attraction entrance from the bus parking. Gary was attentive, ensured we were included, and helped modify parts of the tour so we could enjoy the attractions. He even assisted us with getting a rickshaw (at our request) so that we could further explore within

5
J
Julia
April 28, 2026

We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip. Amanda was a lovely and attentive guide. The lunch was a pleasant and delicious experience too. We walked a lot more than we thought we would but each stop was amazing and we were so happy how we spent the day. We would have loved a little more time to visit the shops. My only disappointment was that the passengers in front of us on both sides of the bus (we sat in the 5th row) closed their blackout curtains the whole trip so we had a very limited view out of the windows for this entire sightseeing tour!

5
S
Stanley
April 22, 2026

Nic was a great guide and the tour was well planned and organized.

5
S
Samantha
April 19, 2026

We had an amazing day exploring with our wonderful guide Harid. Nothing was too much trouble he was informative and also helpful. We had the yummiest lunch and met some lovely people from all over the world Highly recommend the tour!!

5
Z
Zoee
April 19, 2026

Harie was an amazing guide, he made the experience very enjoyable and highly recommend this tour!! was a very long tour but well worth it !!

Frequently Asked Questions

VIP Japan Tour sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
The price does not cover 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.
Lunch (if this option is selected), English or Chinese-speaking guide, Comfortable air-conditioned bus transportation
The duration of the Arashiyama, Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Bus Tour is typically 9 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 in Nara Park, or mid-to-late November for autumn colour around Todai-ji — our pick for the best overall balance of weather and crowds. Full season breakdown in our best time to visit Nara guide.
Yes, generally — they're unusually tame from centuries of protected contact with visitors. Buy shika senbei crackers (~¥200) from a licensed vendor, and be extra cautious during October-December rutting season, when Nara city issues an annual warning about more assertive bucks. Full etiquette in our Nara deer park guide.
A 15-metre bronze Buddha cast in 752 CE, one of the largest bronze statues in the world, housed in the Daibutsuden — once the largest wooden building on Earth. History and what to look for inside is in our Todai-ji temple guide.
Both work well — about 45 minutes from Kyoto, 35-40 minutes from Osaka via Kintetsu. Train options and a realistic day schedule are in our Nara day trip guide.
A comfortable half day (about 4 hours) covers Nara Park, Todai-ji and the walk to Kasuga Taisha. Our Nara half-day itinerary breaks it down hour by hour.
Starting from$71