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Kyoto Highlights: Fushimi Inari & Bamboo Forest
5.0
17 Ratings
Kyoto
Discover Kyoto’s top landmarks in a half-day morning tour. Beat the crowds, explore iconic sites, and immerse in history with expert guidance.
Discover Kyoto’s top landmarks in a half-day morning tour. Beat the crowds, explore iconic sites, and immerse in history with expert guidance.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s most renowned shrines, celebrated for its thousands of striking red torii gates that create picturesque trails up the wooded Mount Inari. It is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity.
- Arashiyama - Arashiyama has been a favored destination since the Heian period…
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s most renowned shrines, celebrated for its thousands of striking red torii gates that create picturesque trails up the wooded Mount Inari. It is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity.
- Arashiyama - Arashiyama has been a favored destination since the Heian period (794–1185), when aristocrats visited to admire the stunning seasonal landscapes. The area is particularly noted for cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. The Bamboo Grove is one of Arashiyama’s most iconic attractions. Strolling through the towering, swaying bamboo offers a serene and almost ethereal experience. Historically, bamboo was also utilized for crafting tools and building materials.
- Bamboo Forest Street - The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of Kyoto’s premier attractions, providing a tranquil retreat surrounded by thousands of towering bamboo stalks.
- Arashiyama Kimono Forest - The Arashiyama Kimono Forest is one of Kyoto’s hidden treasures — a walkway of illuminated kimono-style art poles that display Japan’s exquisite textile designs.
- Togetsukyo Bridge - Togetsukyo Bridge, meaning “Moon Crossing Bridge,” is a renowned landmark in Arashiyama. It’s an ideal spot to appreciate the natural beauty of the river, mountains, and seasonal changes.
- Monkey Park Iwatayama - Monkey Park Iwatayama is situated on a small mountain in Arashiyama, Kyoto. After a brief hike (about 20 minutes), visitors reach the summit, where over 100 wild Japanese macaques roam freely. Unlike a zoo, the monkeys are not confined—you enter their habitat. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto city from the top, and even feed the monkeys with special treats. It’s an enjoyable and distinctive experience, especially for families and nature enthusiasts!
What's Included
- Professional photos taken during the tour
- Passionate local English-speaking guide
- Professional photos taken during the tour
- Passionate local English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Public Transportation Fare
- Admission Fee: Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Food and Drinks
- Public Transportation Fare
- Admission Fee: Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Food and Drinks
Additional Information
Begin your day by exploring two of Kyoto’s most renowned attractions — the tranquil torii gates of Fushimi Inari and the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Starting early allows you to appreciate their beauty in a serene, uncrowded setting before the crowds arrive. Afterwards, head to Monkey Park, where you can feed the monkeys and take in stunning…
Begin your day by exploring two of Kyoto’s most renowned attractions — the tranquil torii gates of Fushimi Inari and the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Starting early allows you to appreciate their beauty in a serene, uncrowded setting before the crowds arrive. Afterwards, head to Monkey Park, where you can feed the monkeys and take in stunning panoramic views of Kyoto. Throughout the tour, an English-speaking local guide will share captivating stories about the city’s history and culture, take beautiful photos, and ensure a seamless and memorable half-day adventure!
- This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, using public transportation and plenty of time on foot to explore Kyoto.
- If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.
Location
Kyoto Station
The tour starts at the central exit of Kyoto Station, near Kyoto Tower. Your guide will be waiting by the yellow map next to the 7-Eleven, holding a board with the our logo. (Detailed meeting instructions, including pictures, will be provided after booking.)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(17 Ratings)
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Stay19391287183
Nov 15, 2025
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Thank you Ikki! We will do this again with family and friends on our next trip back! Best tour ever! - Wonderful private half-day tour by Ikki! He was knowledgeable, explained things well, thoughtful, respectful and attentive. Early Bird Tour is the time to go! Nice not to be rushed and at places before the crowd. Enjoyed the short train rides, walks and moderate hike; Fushimi Inari-taisha Temple, Aroshiyama Bamboo Forest, Kimono Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge and River and Monkey Park were so much more enjoyable because of Ikki! Thankful for his photos! (Glad there were benches to rest on the hike to Monkey Park.) Also appreciate his restaurant recommendations! Our first trip to Japan! We will do this tour again on our next trip back. Thank you Ikki!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Timothy_d
Nov 15, 2025
Great tour - Interesting/informative activity and although I'm not an early riser, starting @ 7 am helped with both crowds and temperature as a fair amount of hiking. Ikki was a superb guide in every respect.
Review provided by Viator
Jenrs7927oq
Nov 10, 2025
Shrine & monkey tour a must!!! - This was a tour of a lifetime!! Ikke our tour guide was so incredibly knowledgeable and fun! I was with my sister and our teenage boys. Our boys really enjoyed how easy going he was and is knowledge of Japan. This is a must do day!! Thank you Ikke!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurakd6373yf
Nov 9, 2025
Highly recommend the Kyoto early bird tour! - I highly recommend this tour. You get to enjoy Fushimi Inari before the crowds and then enjoy a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before going to see the Japanese monkeys. Our tour guide, Ikki, was very knowledgeable on the sites we visited and the many questions we had for him on Japan. He took great photos of our group throughout the tour and shared them along with recommendations for restaurants and activities for us on the rest of our trip. On the tour my son lost his wallet on a train and Ikki was quick to sort out its retrieval. Thank you for such a fun tour Ikki. We really enjoyed our time with you!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
418seemah
Oct 11, 2025
Cultural and nature tour of Kyoto - The tour was extremely engaging and we enjoyed the experience. DK our guide was very thoughtful and knowledgeable. He made sure that we were comfortable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside44840165881
Oct 11, 2025
Fantastic tour of Arashiyama area! - This time I joined a tour with friends to explore the Arashiyama area of Kyoto that I hadn't been able to visit last year. The guide not only possessed deep knowledge but also took many photos for us. Also, the guide told me that there's a special nighttime illumination only in October, so you absolutely must go at night too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
160samm
Oct 1, 2025
The Perfect Way to Start the Day in Kyoto! - This Early Bird Tour was absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we met our guides- Ikki and DK, it was clear we were in for something special. They were not only incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also impressively knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gems.
Starting the day at Fushimi Inari Shrine before the crowds was magical — walking through the thousands of iconic torii gates in the quiet morning light felt like stepping into a dream. DK shared fascinating stories and facts that added so much depth to the experience.
Next, we headed to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which was stunning and serene at that early hour. Again, we beat the crowds, which made it feel even more special. The guides pointed out details and perspectives I would have totally missed on my own.
And finishing the morning with a visit to the Iwatayama Monkey Park was so much fun! Seeing the monkeys up close, combined with the breathtaking views over Kyoto, was the perfect way to wrap up the tour.
If you're visiting Kyoto and want to make the most of your morning, I can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s well-paced, thoughtfully planned, and led by people who truly love what they do. A highlight of my trip! The earlier the better, as we were leaving it was getting crowded!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinasers
Oct 1, 2025
The Best Way to Discover Kyoto! - Our tour in Kyoto was absolutely unforgettable thanks to our amazing guide, Ikki! He took us to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Bamboo Forest, and the Monkey Park. His explanations were clear, engaging, and filled with fascinating details that really brought the history and culture of Kyoto to life.
Both my husband and I learned so much about the city—not just about the landmarks, but also about daily life, traditions, and hidden gems we would have otherwise missed. He was friendly, attentive, and made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable.
We left with wonderful memories and a much deeper appreciation of Kyoto. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a truly enriching experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam62669565850
Sep 27, 2025
Iconic spots in a half day! - Another tour was so good that we decided to join another tour with the same company. This tour takes you to all of Kyoto’s iconic spots: Fushimi Inari shrine(1000 Torii gates), Arashiyama(bamboo forest) and the monkey park. At the monkey park, you can feed the monkeys, making it a truly fun experience. It’s especially recommended for families with young 👦
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious19753284395
Sep 25, 2025
You can visit the famous spots efficiently before the crowds! - I joined Ikki’s tour again and brought my friends this time because I had such a great experience with him last year!
This time, he took us to the Arashiyama area, which we had to skip on our previous visit due to time constraints.
By starting early, we were able to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
The monkey park requires about a 20-minute hike, but it’s worth the effort because you get the rare chance to feed wild monkeys!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
