--- title: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide lang: en type: tour city: Kyoto country: Japan price: 127 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.84 reviews: 58 duration_minutes: 360 languages: [ja, en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 7 of 9 (Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-11-08 data_updated: 2026-11-08 canonical: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/arashiyama-bamboo-forest-sagano-tour-with-licensed-guide/ --- # Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide **Guidekin's take:** Choose three or four stops in Arashiyama and Sagano, such as the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji temple, on a private tour for your party. A licensed guide leads the walk; your entry fees and lunch, plus transport for you and the guide, cost extra. 4.84 from 58 reviews at €127 per person for 6h. In our comparison: #7 of 9 in Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide, explore the area of Arashiyama and Sagano, where aristocrats once unwound in their villas more than 1,000 years ago. The highlights of this tour include the scenic countryside views from Togetsukyo bridge; Tenryu-ji temple with its beautiful traditional gardens; the enchanting world from within the Bamboo Grove; and Jojakko-ji Temple with its breathtaking green moss. During the tour you will also visit some secret spots unfamiliar to the usual tourists. Enjoy the walk and delicious food while learning about Japanese culture and history. Our guides are looking forward to arranging a tour that’s best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history. ## Before you book - Hotel pickup: no car needed - Entry ticket not included: buy it separately - Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers - 10 start times: between 08:30 and 13:00 - Food not included: Lunch - Lunch (for yourself) - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted - Age rule: Specialized infant seats are available **Pickup:** Hotel pickup included ## Key facts - Price: from €127 per person - Duration: 6h - Rating: 4.84/5 from 58 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Japan Guide Agency - Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price - Group: Private tour, your party only - Guide languages: Japanese, English - Tickets: Admission not included, pay on site - Start times: 10 start times between 08:30 and 13:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08 ## Reviews 4.84 from 58 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 98% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 57 of 58. - 5 stars: 50 (86%) - 4 stars: 7 (12%) - 3 stars: 1 (2%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 0 (0%) ## What's included - Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list - Meet up with guide in Kyoto - The pick up/drop off for this tour is on foot. - Licensed Local English Speaking Guide ## Not included - Lunch - Lunch (for yourself) - Entrance fee (for yourself) - Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide) - Private Vehicle - Other personal expenses - You cannot combine multiple tour groups. - Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect. ## Itinerary 1. **Arashiyama** (20m) - (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color... 2. **Togetsukyo Bridge** - The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. "Moon Crossing Bridge") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested... 3. **Bamboo Forest Street** - The walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk or bicycle ride. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such... 4. **Shugakuin Imperial Villa** (20m) - (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It consists of the Upper, Middle and Lower Villa areas, each featuring gardens and buildings of the traditional imperial style. Shugakuin's name... 5. **Katsura Imperial Villa** (20m) - (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design. The villa and garden in their present form were completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, members of Japan's Imperial Family. Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa... 6. **Kurama-dera** (15m) - Kurama (鞍馬) is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, less than one hour from the city center. Kurama is best known for its temple Kurama-dera and its hot spring, one of the most easily accessible hot springs from Kyoto. Outdoor and indoor baths can be enjoyed... 7. **Yoshimine-dera** (20m) - Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism located in Kyoto's western mountains. Similar to Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of town, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountain side and looks out onto Kyoto. The temple grounds are spacious and... 8. **Daikaku-ji Temple** (20m) - Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in the northern part of Kyoto's Sagano district. It was originally built in the early 800s as the detached palace of Emperor Saga, who thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this calm area on the outskirts of Kyoto. Thirty years after the... 9. **Daikakuji Temple** (20m) - Daikakuji is a temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Formerly the residence of an emperor, the buildings were converted into a temple in 876. During its history the temple traditionally had members of the imperial family serve as the head priest. Beside the main... 10. **Okochi Sanso Garden** (20m) - This is the former villa of the popular actor Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962), located in the back of Arashiyama's bamboo groves. Okochi Sanso consists of several different gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses and gates. The buildings can only be viewed... 11. **Tenryu-ji Temple** (20m) - Ranked among Kyoto's five great Zen temples, Tenryuji is the largest and most impressive temple in Arashiyama. Founded in 1339 at the beginning of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), the temple is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to its temple... 12. **Katsura Imperial Villa** (30m) - (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design. The villa and garden in their present form were completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, members of Japan's Imperial Family. Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa... 13. **Jojakkoji Temple** (20m) - This mountainside temple was founded in 1596. With small, attractive buildings and gates, the temple has a quiet and understated atmosphere. Maple trees and moss are located just beside the paths and stairs that lead across the temple grounds. From a number of spots, visitors... 14. **Nisonin** (20m) - Similar to Jojakkoji, Nisonin Temple is a hillside temple with slightly larger and imposing buildings. A generally understated atmosphere on the temple grounds is partly due to the overhanging trees along approach. Founded in the mid 9th century, Nisonin is a temple of the... 15. **Gioji Temple** (20m) - Gioji is even more nestled into the forest than Jojakkoji and Nisonin. It is known for its moss garden that is punctuated with tall maple trees. The temple's entrance gate and small main hall have thatched roofs. The latter has an attractive round window looking into the gardens. 16. **Adashino Nembetsu-ji Temple** (20m) - Adashino Nenbutsuji is located at the end of the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. The temple was founded in the early 9th century when the famous monk Kobo Daishi placed stone statues for the souls of the dead here. Today, the temple grounds are covered by hundreds of such... 17. **Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple** (20m) - Another ten minute walk north of the similarly named Adashino Nenbutsuji, the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, devoted followers of Buddhism, each with a different facial expression. Created relatively recently in the 1980s and early... 18. **Kibune River** (20m) - Kibune (貴船) is a small town in a forested valley in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, which developed around Kifune Shrine. According to legend, a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into the mountains north of Kyoto, and Kifune Shrine was built... ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 10 start times between 08:30 and 13:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Good to know - Specialized infant seats are available - Service animals allowed - Public transportation options are available nearby - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible - Transportation options are wheelchair accessible - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Wheelchair accessible ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €254 | €127 | | 4 | €256 | €64 | | 6 | €306 | €51 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Tours start at €109 per person. ## Compared with other Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #7 of 9** | €127 | 6h | 4.84 (58) | private | | [5-hr Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Hidden Garden Walking Tour](/japan/kyoto/tours/5-hr-kyoto-arashiyama-bamboo-forest-hidden-garden-walking-tour/?format=md) | €118 | 5h | 4.96 (491) | shared | | [Kyoto top must-see Golden pavilion and Bamboo forest half-day Private tour](/japan/kyoto/tours/kyoto-top-must-see-golden-pavilion-and-bamboo-forest-half-day-private-tour/?format=md) | €107 | 4h | 4.97 (61) | private | | [Arashiyama Bamboo Forest E-Biking Tour](/japan/kyoto/tours/arashiyama-bamboo-forest-e-biking-tour/?format=md) | €109 | 4h 15m | 4.93 (215) | shared | Ranked #7 of 9 in Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €105 to €260, median €117; typical length 5h. 6 of 9 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/arashiyama-tours/?format=md ## More in Kyoto - All Kyoto tours: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/arashiyama-bamboo-forest-sagano-tour-with-licensed-guide/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md