Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Tours and Guided Visits

If you're a fan of Japanese TV or cinema, you may have seen the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest set as the backdrop in many scenes. This is not only for aesthetics, but also serves as a poignant metaphor, as bamboo is a symbol of strength and resilience in Japanese culture.

On a Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tour, you can feel this strength, the bamboo stalks bending and swaying all around you in the breeze, as you make your way through this tranquil bamboo grove on foot, on a bike or on a rickshaw.

Here's all you need to know about the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, one of the most captivating sightseeing tours in Kyoto.

What are the best Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours in Kyoto?

Walking tours

Choose a private or small group walking tour to explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at a leisurely pace. Besides the bamboo grove, you will also stop to visit several temples, including Tenryu-ji, Seiryo-ji and Otagi Nenbuts-ji temples, and other sites like the Togetsukyo Bridge and Mt. Atago.

With a private tour, you can fully customize your itinerary to include different activities, such as rowing a boat through the lower Hozu-gawa area or hiking up the nearby mountain to appreciate scenic lookout points over the Kyoto cityscape and bamboo forest.

Some of the tours include lunch and entrance fees to the temples while others do not, so be sure to check this detail when comparing your options. If lunch is what interests you more than hiking to the temples, you may want to consider a walking food tour.

Walking food tours

If you're appetite to explore Kyoto is matched by your appetite to try yummy local food, a walking food tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and its surroundings is sure to hit the spot. These tours are similar to a normal walking tour, but with sweet and savory treats to sample along the way.

You can expect to try the well-known Japanese green tea called "matcha" accompanied by sweet treats known as "dango." For lunch, you will sample Kyoto dishes like Negiyaki savory pancakes and fried fish cakes. Yum!

Rickshaw tours

There's no need to break a sweat when you take a rickshaw tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. You can choose how long you want the tour to be from a short tour that lasts 45 minutes to the longest tour that lasts 3 hours and 10 minutes (and two more options in between).

Regardless of which tour you choose, you will have a charming ride on a rickshaw through the bamboo grove with stops at scenic Buddhist and Shinto temples. All rickshaw tours also include a stop at the thatched cottage of the Japanese haiku master known as Rakushisya.

Please note that there is a maximum of two adults per rickshaw and only children under 6 years old can ride on the lap of an adult. Children 6 years old and above must book a seat for themselves. This experience is not suitable for pregnant women and people with back problems.

Bike tours

If you prefer powering your own two-wheel vehicle, a bike tour around Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is what you're looking for. You can either spend half a day only in the bamboo grove, or you can divide your time with visits to the Iwatayama Monkey Park or the Sogenchi Pond Garden.

Although a moderate fitness level is recommended, all fitness levels can be accommodated and you can choose from various bicycle types, including e-bikes, kid's bikes and even a bike trailer to tow your little ones along.

Tours either start in the morning at 8 AM or in the early afternoon at 1 PM. During the spring and summer, the morning tours are best to avoid the mid-day heat, but in the cooler months, you may want to consider the afternoon tour to enjoy the sun.

Are there any combos available with Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours in Kyoto?

Sagano Romantic Train and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours

Appreciate the bamboo grove up close and from a distance by combining your Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tour with a Sagano Romantic Train ride. You can buy your train ticket separately online in advance or you can choose an all-inclusive tour with lunch or a walking food tour as part of the experience.

Kyoto Temples and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours

If you also want to visit the most historic temples in Kyoto, you can choose a tour that includes the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, along other must-see attractions, such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Golden Pavilion.

Which places are visited?

Of course, all the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours will take you in and around the bamboo groves. However, there are many nearby places your guide can choose to include in the tour. Check out this list of places to help you decide which tour is best for you.

Togetsukyo Bridge

The name Togetsukyo means "moon crossing," and refers to Emperor Kameyama's poem describing the moon moving across the sky above the bridge. Although the original bridge dates back to the 9th century, the wooden bridge that you now see spanning across the Katsura River was actually built in the 1930s.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

Interact with over 100 free-roaming Japanese macaques in their natural habitat at the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where you'll be able to observe and feed the playful monkeys while appreciating a breathtaking panoramic view of Kyoto.

Sogenchi Pond Garden

Designed in the 14th century by renowned Zen master Muso Soseki, the garden artfully combines elements of natural beauty, such as a central pond, meandering streams, and meticulously arranged plants and rocks. This is a highlight of a visit to the Tenryu-ji Temple.

Tenryu-ji Temple

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1339 and is most well-known for its gardens. Another highlight of the temple is its main hall, which has been reconstructed multiple times due to fires, and houses a prominent statue of Gautama Buddha and other important Buddhist figures.

Seiryo-ji Temple

This temple is one of the oldest still standing in Kyoto and was founded in 895. It also houses the Seiryo-ji Nyorai, which is a revered life-sized statue of Gautama Buddha believed to be an accurate representation of his physical appearance.

Otagi Nenbuts-ji Temple

This temple is even older than the Seiryo-ji Temple and dates back to the 8th century. Its famous for its collection of more than 1,200 whimsical stone statues of "rakan" — the Buddha's disciples — each featuring different poses and expressions.

How much do Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours in Kyoto cost?

Rickshaw tours of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest start at US$60 for the shortest 45-minute tours and range from US$250 to US$400 for the longest 3-hour tours. There are also 70-minute tours for US$145 and 130-minute tours for US$260.

Half-day bike tours start at US$120 and always include rental of the bike and helmet. However, if you want to upgrade to an e-bike or add on a bike trailer, you need to pay an additional fee.

Walking tours of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest start at US$50 for a group tour and US$100 for a private tour. The walking food tours start at US$110, which is a good deal considering they include lunch and are limited to 6 people max.

Where does it start?

There are different starting points for the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours, but one of the most popular starting points is at the Togetsukyo Bridge.

How long does it last?

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours can be as short or as long as you wish. The shortest tours are under an hour, whereas full-day, half-day and tours that last from 2 to 3 hours. There's a tour right for you no matter much time you have to dedicate to exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

When is the best time for a Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tour in Kyoto?

The best time to take a Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tour depends on the time of year. During the warmer months (May to August), an early morning tour is certainly the best time to start your visit. On the other hand, during the cooler months (November to February), you may want to wait until the afternoon for a warmer journey.

Travel tips

• Learn about bamboo. Before your visit, research the cultural and ecological significance of bamboo to better appreciate the bamboo forest's role in Japanese history and culture.
• Don't climb the bamboo. For your safety and to preserve the bamboo forest, avoid climbing or touching the bamboo stalks.
• Be mindful of wildlife. You may encounter wildlife within the bamboo forest, so be respectful and maintain a safe distance from any animals you come across.
• Bring insect repellent. During the warmer months, insects may be present in the bamboo forest, so bring insect repellent to stay comfortable during your visit.