Arashiyama Highlights: Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
Joined 2017
Experience the best of Arashiyama with our 6-hour guided tour from Kyoto. Explore the serene Bamboo Forest, visit the historic Nonomiya Shrine, and admire the stunning gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple. Discover the picturesque Hozu-gawa River and Togetsu Bridge, and encounter playful macaques at the Monkey Park. Enjoy a delightful lunch before returning to Kyoto, making this tour a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural exploration.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Any place inside Kyoto city ,including your hotel
- * The guide will meet you at your hotel inside Kyoto. If outside, please let us know. * We provide shore excursion services from Osaka or Kobe ports for an additional fee, payable directly to the driver of the hired vehicle. Please be aware that the itinerary may be adjusted to fit your schedule and preferences.
Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine and Tenryu-ji Temple Garden
Explore Kyoto’s natural and cultural treasures with our tour featuring the Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, and Tenryu-ji Temple Garden. Begin your journey in the Bamboo Forest, where towering green stalks create a tranquil and otherworldly atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful walk.
Next, visit Nonomiya Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine known for its serene setting and ancient traditions. Discover its beautiful architecture and lush surroundings.
Conclude with a visit to the Tenryu-ji Temple Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its exquisite Zen garden and stunning landscape views. Enjoy a serene stroll through meticulously designed gardens, reflecting the beauty of traditional Japanese landscape artistry.
Hozu-Gawa River and Togetsu Bridge
Discover Kyoto's serene beauty with a visit to the Hozu-gawa River and the iconic Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama. The Hozu-gawa River, once a vital trade route, now offers peaceful boat tours through lush valleys. In spring, cherry blossoms grace the riverbanks, while autumn brings vibrant reds and oranges, creating a picturesque journey through nature.
After the boat ride, visit Togetsu Bridge, a symbol of Arashiyama. Spanning the Katsura River, this centuries-old bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, perfect for a leisurely stroll and photos.
Monkey's Park
Visit the Monkey Park Arashiyama for an exciting and interactive wildlife experience. Located on a scenic hillside, this park is home to over 100 wild Japanese macaques, offering a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Enjoy a moderate hike to the summit, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Kyoto and a chance to see the monkeys up close. This family-friendly attraction combines nature, adventure, and breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit destination in Arashiyama.
Lunch Break / Porta Dining
During your Kyoto tour, take a delightful lunch break at Porta Dining, located beneath Kyoto Station. This bustling underground dining area offers a variety of authentic Japanese dishes in a convenient and vibrant setting. Whether you're craving fresh sushi, hearty ramen, tempura, or traditional Kyoto cuisine, Porta Dining has something for everyone. Enjoy a quick yet flavorful meal in one of the many restaurants, perfect for recharging before continuing your exploration of Kyoto. It's the ideal stop for a delicious taste of Japan in the heart of the city!
15:00 Tour Finish
Ending Point
Any place inside Kyoto city ,including your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding Fees & Tour Management
* Transportation fee
* Entrance fees
* Lunch & personal Expenses
* We provide shore excursion services from Osaka or Kobe ports for an additional fee, payable directly to the driver of the hired vehicle. Please be aware that the itinerary may be adjusted to fit your schedule and preferences.
*Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected. If you feel that your experience was exceptional, tipping is a lovely way to show your appreciation for the service provided.
Tour Important Information
*This tour is based on using public transportation, however we recommend car hiring (cost is JPY 100,000 per day in cash to the driver for up to 5 pax) since it will make it more convinient and efficient. In case you are interested please ask me to manage it.
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Important message from the supplier
See the calendar for availability
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Ahmed A.
Hello! I’m Ahmed, a passionate tour guide based in Kyoto, Japan. Originally from Kuwait, I moved back to Palestine where I earned my Medical Degree (MD) in 2008. In 2015, I was fortunate to receive a Japanese government scholarship to pursue further studies at Kyoto University, one of Japan’s top institutions.
Living in Kyoto opened my eyes to the rich history and stunning scenery of this ancient city, which served as Japan’s capital for over a thousand years. It ignited my passion for culture, history, and food, leading me to embark on a rewarding career as a tour guide.
I have traveled extensively across Europe and Asia, and I love sharing my knowledge of Japanese culture with others. I can provide historical insights at every stop, recommend the best local cuisine, and create personalized itineraries, including day trips from Tokyo to Kyoto.
I’m fluent in English and Arabic, and I thrive on connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Whether you’re interested in exploring temples, experiencing traditional cuisine, or simply enjoying the beauty of Kyoto, I’m here to make your visit unforgettable.
Your safety and comfort are my top priorities. I measure my temperature before our tours and am happy to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable. While I'm not a driver, I will accompany you in your vehicle or arrange for a separate car and driver if needed.
Book with confidence and get ready to explore Kyoto with me! I can’t wait to show you why I believe this city is the most beautiful in Japan.
Ahmed, MD, PhD, MBA
Reviews
Matthew W.
“Solid comprehensive tour of Kyoto”
We arrived in Kyoto around dinner time and had the following day to tour around the city. I looked online for a guide and found Ahmed who was thankfully available on short notice. Ahmed did an excellent job efficiently taking us around to the areas we wanted to see. Had we done it ourselves, it would've taken 3 days, and having a guide was especially helpful since it rained all day. Moreover, Ahmed has a deep historical understanding of each of the sites which was great, and he speaks fluent English which made our interaction easy. If you go with Ahmed, it is absolutely imperative that you also have him order a driver since that's what allows you to see so much. Given our last minute situation, we accepted the high combined cost for guide/taxi/tickets.
Ahmed A.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm really glad I could help make your time in Kyoto enjoyable, even with the rain, and that the tour was efficient and informative for you. Wishing to meet you again in Kyoto
Peter C.
“Deceitful And Inconsiderate”
Be careful when booking with Ahmed. I recently booked a tour with him for the following day. A prior/separate GoWithGuide tour to Mt Fuji from Tokyo included transportation for a similar price and I accidentally overlooked that the transportation was not included in this cost. In less than 4 hours, I realized my mistake and asked to cancel. We were communicating via WhatsApp and he seemed understanding and recommended that I reach out to GoWithGuide for the refund, which I did immediately. See photo for our conversation. Come to find out, he tells GoWithGuide that he refuses to sign off on the refund. Also, there was never any proof provided regarding “turning down another tour” and I generally doubt he received another request as this all took place so quickly. I would recommend staying away from booking any tours from Ahmed unless you are comfortable knowing that you will never get your money back if something happens at the last minute.
Ian B.
“Night time highlights ”
Ahmed was not able to guide us on our visit because of illness but arranged a substitute guide, Matheus. He was fabulous, adapting to our needs easily. A very enjoyable experience.
Ahmed A.
Great you enjoyed it. Thank you so much
$401/ per group
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