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Arashiyama Free Tour in Kyoto: Bamboo Forest, Hidden Gems & Monkeys
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Arashiyama Free Tour in Kyoto: Bamboo Forest, Hidden Gems & Monkeys

4.9· 38 reviews
Free Puzzle🧩 Primera Pieza · Tú decides cuánto vale

Run by a local guide · Benjamin Tang

Booking is free; at the end you give the guide what you think is fair. Free cancellation at any time.

Walk Arashiyama the local way: time the Bamboo Grove, visit Nonomiya and Mikami Hair Shrine, climb to a quiet Kameyama Park viewpoint, and cross poetic Togetsukyo Bridge. Optional: Monkey Park. Small group, easy pace, stories and photo tips.

Duration
2 h
Destination
Kyoto
Meeting Point
Kyōto Sagano maison matcha cafe
Provider
Benjamin Tang

Description

Small groups. Real stories. No tourist scripts. Just Kyoto through the eyes of a local resident, shaped by years of conversations, reading, and personal discoveries. Kyoto is a city that invites you to look beyond the famous sights, to slow your pace and discover the depth of its culture.

Perhaps you'll find that the true beauty of Japan lies in the most ordinary, often overlooked corners.

And for those who appreciate the finer layers of Japanese culture, Arashiyama has always held a special place. Let me take you beyond the tourist trails and share the stories, traditions, and quiet beauty of a place I'm now proud to call home. At the end, you decide what the experience was worth to you. *There is a short hike of about 10 minutes to a viewpoint overlooking Kyoto city and the Arashiyama river. If you have any knee concerns, please consider whether this route is suitable for you.

*Strollers are welcome, but please make sure they can be easily folded when using stairs. I can help carry one stroller if needed, but may not be able to assist if there are multiple.

Includes

  • Mikami Shrine
  • Togetsu-kyo Bridge
  • Arashiyama Park Kameyama Area
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
  • Nonomiya Shrine

Meeting Point

Kyōto Sagano maison matcha cafe

Get directions →

Traveler reviews

38 reviews in total · Opinions from people who already lived the experience

Great tour with Ben!

We really enjoyed our tour of Arashiyama with Ben. Go ahead and book it! Ben was also kind enough to answer a follow up question I had after the tour.

Michele Dietrich · November 2026

Great tour

the tour was very complete not very exhausting and Ben is a great guide, with very interesting histories and facts but also very funny jokes, the tour is a must for enjoying the Arashiyama area.

Raul Sainz · October 2026

Excellent guide, amazing places

We were lucky both with the tour selection as well as with the guide. Ben was very knowledgeble, completent and on top of that also pleasant guide. Thanks to him we saw not only very beautiful piece of Kyoto but got many information about history, culture and overall life in the city.

Igor Snopek · October 2026

Fantastic!!

I recommended! Ben is friendly, and super profissional.

Nib Costa · October 2026

Arashiyama is beautiful

Ben was a kind, gracious and very informative guide. He knows the Arashiyama area quite well. We greatly enjoyed our time with him & highly recommend him as a guide.

Pamela Herman · September 2026

Great Tour

Ben knows cool details, great guid, we learned a lot and had a lot of fun.

Samuel Polierer · August 2026

Free tour

How does a free tour work?

Booking costs nothing. At the end, each person gives the guide what they think is fair for the experience: it's a voluntary tip.

  • • Pay in cash at the end of the experience.
  • • Bring small bills or change.
4.9(38 reviews)

Availability and Language

Free tour

★ 4.9 · 38 reviews

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