5-hr Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Hidden Garden Walking Tour

5.0(474)5 hoursEnglishBook 2 days aheadKyoto, Japan

From

$135

Winner of TripAdvisor's "Best of the Best 2025" (Top 1% Worldwide). The ultimate Arashiyama half-day experience. Combine the must-see highlights with hidden gems and a world-class dining experience.

1. Hidden Temples & Bamboo Grove: We take you to the iconic Bamboo Forest for the perfect photo, but also escape to a "Secret Temple" with stunning moss gardens and a hillside villa with panoramic views of Kyoto, far from the tourist crowds.

2. Guaranteed Michelin-Rated Lunch: Enjoy a premium lunch at a restaurant inside the Tenryu-ji Temple gardens (World Heritage). We serve authentic Zen vegetarian cuisine recognized by the Michelin Guide—a healthy and unforgettable cultural experience.

3. Don't just look at the gardens; understand them. Your guide will teach you how to "read" and enjoy the philosophy of Japanese gardens, comparing Western symmetry with Japanese "Natural Asymmetry," turning the scenery into a deeper cultural lesson.

Included

Photos during the tour
A Certified guide by MagicalTrip
Michelin-Rated Lunch: "Shojin Ryori" (Traditional Buddhist Vegetarian/Vegan Course) inside Tenryu-ji Temple or traditional Kyoto lunch ※Please request at least 1day before the tour
2 temples and 1 garden including Tenryu-ji Temple (World Heritage)

Not included

Additional foods and drinks (Available for Purchase)

What you'll do

Hokyoin
9-1 Sagashakadomonzenminamichuincho,, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
First, we escape the tourist trail to visit a hidden temple known only to locals. Enclosed by mud walls and vibrant maple trees, this temple offers a perfect example of a "Moss Garden." Unlike the grand, open temples, this intimate sanctuary allows you to experience true "Wabi-Sabi"—the beauty of imperfection and tranquility.
15 minAdmission included
hidden gems
1 hour
Bamboo Forest Street
Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
Walk through the towering bamboo stalks that seem to reach the sky and take memorable photos.
15 min
Okochi Sanso Garden
8-3 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Next, we ascend to a private mountain villa and garden that feels like a hidden fortress. This spot offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Kyoto City and the Arashiyama mountains, yet it remains surprisingly quiet. As you stroll through its winding paths, you will see many Japanese garden's design, which harmonizes with nature. It is a masterpiece that blends art with wild nature.
45 min
Tenryu-ji Temple
68 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
At Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site, you can enjoy Japanese gardens and Zen paintings with a guide's commentary.
1h 10mAdmission included
Togetsukyo Bridge
Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
End the tour at the souvenir street or Togetsu-kyo bridge
20 minAdmission included

Meeting and pickup

5 locations

Pickup details

Outside the North Exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, at the bottom of the stairs (near taxi stand). Your guide will be holding an orange signboard saying "Magical Trip".