Day in Arashiyama ( Bamboo forests, monkey park and kinkaku-ji)
Spend the morning exploring Arashiyama, with the option to ride the Sagano Romantic Train (one-way or round-trip). After lunch in Arashiyama, visit either the Arashiyama Monkey Park or the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), depending on your preference!:)
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Arashiyama station
Walk towards to Togetsukyo bridge
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverside, soaking in the scenery and street atmosphere.
Bamboo Grove walking
Walk through the streets, try local snacks, visit shops, and eventually reach the famous bamboo forest for photos and peaceful nature strolls.
Sagano Romantic Train
A scenic train ride through the Arashiyama area, offering beautiful views of the Hozugawa River and surrounding mountains. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy Kyoto’s natural scenery.
Lunch near the bridge
Stop at a local restaurant for a traditional Japanese meal or try street food along the way.
Arashiyama Monkey Park OR Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Choose between visiting the Arashiyama Monkey Park, where you can see wild monkeys and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto, or the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks known for its beautiful gold-covered temple and peaceful surroundings.
Ending Point
At Arashiyama station
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
•guide fee
•assistance with booking
•transportation fee
•Admission fee : monkey park 800 yen per person
* Sagano Romantic Train — ¥880 per adult (one-way)
* Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — ¥500 per adult
(Please kindly cover my ticket, thank you very much in advance)
•meals ( lunch and snacks on the street )
Tour Important Information
• please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• The tour includes moderate walking and uphill paths at the Monkey Park.
• The bamboo grove involves a longer walk from the bridge area.
• The tour is mostly outdoors, so bring sunscreen, a hat, or an umbrella depending on the weather
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
About Tour Guide Niko T.
KONNICHIWA!!
I’m Niko!
I’ve lived in Australia and worked at the Osaka Expo 2025.
Through those experiences, I met people from all over the world — we hung out together, and I loved taking them to hidden local spots that tourists usually don’t find, like cozy cafés, local restaurants, and beautiful nature spots.
I’m a very friendly person who loves learning new things. I enjoy not only sharing unique and lesser-known sides of Japan, but also hearing stories about your country and anything you’d like to talk about!
I’m a big FOODIE! (Please go to my galleries!)
Please let me make you try my favorite Japanese foods!!
I also love taking a pictures and will always bring my camera with me, , so I can take beautiful photos of you during the tour — and you’ll get them on the spot as a little gift !
Providing warm hospitality to people is truly my joy.
You won’t regret joining my tour — I promise!
Can’t wait to meet you soon!
Reviews
Erik C.
“Food tour ”
Had an enjoyable tour with Niko. She was very accommodating to my request to focus on trying local food rather than sightseeing. She took care of everything, so I didn’t have to worry about routes or planning the itinerary. Niko has lots of energy and is great at asking questions and keeping the conversation flowing. On top of that, her English is excellent, which made communication effortless. Spending the day with her felt more like hanging out with a friend than being on a guided tour, which made the experience even more enjoyable. If it’s your first time visiting, I would definitely recommend Niko to help you get to know the city.
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Niko T.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Erik!! It was my first time guiding someone around my own age, so it was a really refreshing and interesting experience for me. I also loved hearing about Sweden and learned so much from our conversations! I wish you lots of happiness, good luck, and exciting adventures in the future. Thank you again—I had such a fun day with you! Hope to see you again someday!
Pierre G.
“Top guide to learn all about the real Japan”
Niko guided us in Osaka, Hiroshima and kyoto. It was a truely great experience. Nog just because of her guiding qualities. She knows were to go and the history of the places to visit. But also because she gave us an inside in the live in Japan today through her personal experience and background. What drives a young person in Japan today. What are the ambitions and how do they look at the world. Her open enthousiastic personality made it also a very enjoyable few days. I can only highly recomend her!
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Niko T.
Dear Pierre, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot to me. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to spend four days with you and your family. Thank you for trusting me throughout your trip and for all of your kindness. It was a real pleasure getting to know you all. Your kind words are incredibly meaningful and encourage me to keep improving as a guide. I wish you many more amazing journeys and new experiences around the world. I’ll keep working hard too, and I hope our paths cross again someday! :) Thank you again, and take care!! Niko
John L.
“We love Niko and Kyoto”
Niko was friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, energetic, and easy to talk to. We went to a lot of interesting places, answered all of our many questions, and and had fun doing it. We learned a lot about her and the culture, and she was just as interested in us. We loved the beauty of the shrines, as well as the fun of the sushi boat, and the relaxation of the dinner by the gardens. We recommend going when it's cooler out, but we recommend it highly
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Niko T.
Thank you so much for your kind review!! It was such a pleasure spending the day with your family. I really enjoyed getting to know all of you, sharing Japanese culture, and answering your questions. I also learned a lot from hearing about your lives and experiences! I’m so happy you enjoyed the shrines, the sushi boat, and our peaceful dinner by the gardens. Thank you for trusting me to be part of your trip. I hope to see you again in Japan someday! Niko
$266/ per group
More tours by Niko T.
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Kyoto Perfect Day tour : all the highlights included
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Osaka Perfect Day tour : all the highlights included
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Kyoto Early Bird Trekking Ending with Ramen
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Private Kurama Journey: The Birthplace of Reiki and the Legendary Tengu Trail
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This tour is recommended for: People who love nature and animals and want to have a unique experience interacting with wild monkeys People who want to see Arashiyama's famous spots (bamboo forest, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, etc.) efficiently in a short amount of time People who want a safe and efficient tour with a local guide — especially convenient for foreign tourists and those who need English.
Private Tour to Monkey Park and Arashiyama Highlights
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One Day Tour with the Magnificent View in Saga Arashiyama
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