About this tour
A five-hour guided loop through Saga-Arashiyama that stitches together Kyoto's most photogenic temples and gardens. Starting from Kyoto Station, you'll spend less than 20 minutes on local trains before exploring the Bamboo Forest's towering groves, Tenryuji Temple's pond gardens, and the hillside grounds of Okochi Sanso. The route climaxes at Iwatayama Monkey Park with views across Kyoto's mountains. A lunch break lets you sample regional Japanese fare.
Highlights
- Walk among Bamboo Forest's dense, cathedral-like stalks
- Tenryuji Temple gardens with functioning pond and walking paths
- Okochi Sanso hilltop estate with complimentary green tea
- Nonomiya Shrine and Kimono Forest's coloured torii gates
- Feed and observe Japanese macaques at mountain viewpoint
- Togetsukyo bridge crossing and lunch with local specialities
- Panoramic mountain vistas from the park's summit
What to expect
Expect a mix of paced walking and climbing. The first half flows through famous sites—temples, gardens, and the bamboo grove—with plenty of photo stops and explanation from your guide. You'll pause for a proper lunch featuring regional dishes. The second half gets steeper: a sustained uphill trek to Iwatayama Monkey Park, where you can hand-feed the resident macaques and absorb views across Kyoto's valleys and ridges. Most people find the views reward the climb. Crowds are heaviest mid-morning and early afternoon.
Good to know
Bring your own train pass (Icoca, Suica, Pasmo) or buy individual tickets—neither is included. Wear proper walking shoes; the Iwatayama section is steep and can be slippery after rain. Not suitable if you have spinal or cardiovascular concerns, or poor fitness. Children sit on adult laps on trains.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.