Saga Arashiyama is located in the northwest of Kyoto city, which was an ancient capital of Japan.
It is famous for its scenic beauty.
There are many picturesque places such as bamboo groves, mountain ranges, bridges, rivers, historical temples and shrines , scenic trains, and a 'Kimono Forest'.
On this tour we will walk down the mountainside, visit some peaceful temples, see the beautiful bamboo groves and attractive gifts (pottery, cocoon dolls, handmade bamboo products) there.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
9:30
- Hotel or other places
At your hotel in Kyoto
You can choose any hotel or train station near your accommodation.
If you stay at a hotel in Osaka, we will start the tour earlier.
Saga Arashiyama station
Walking in a local area
Reaching the bus stop
Toriimoto area and Adashino Nenbutsu Temple
The Toriimoto area is located at the foot of Mt. Atago, which is the highest sacred mountain in Kyoto city.
Toriimoto literally means the foot of the gate called 'Torii'.
The area was designated as an Important Traditional Cultural Property.
We can find traditional houses, town houses, visit a beautiful temple and see lovely products made in this area when we descend from the first gate.
Restaurant
There are some local restaurants. You can find your favorite food.
The Pottery Store
The unique pottery store is located when we descend the mountain.
In the store, there is handmade pottery, from earthenware and ceramics.
The owner makes all of them onsite in the store so each item is unique.
We can enjoy seeing different kinds of pottery, bonsai, miniature potted trees, and a beautiful garden in the shop.
Bamboo groves
Bamboo groves in Sagano and Arashiyama are very popular at home and abroad.
They have tremendous appeal at all times of the day.
You can enjoy the majestic view of bamboos in a quiet forest with cool air in the morning and the sunshine filtering through the branches of the trees during the daytime.
You can feel the serene beauty there.
Nonomiya Shrine and bamboo groves
Nonomiya Shrine is located on the bamboo grove path in Sagano.
This shrine enshrines the god for matchmaking.
In ancient times, a princess visited this shrine to purify herself before going to the main shrine in Ise.
The shrine was carefully chosen as a serene and sacred place.
The shrine was also used in the Tale of Genji, which is a Japanese famous tale about romance, so it reminds us of the romantic and beautiful scene.
You can enjoy some attractions in the shrine as well.
After visiting the shrine, we will visit another bamboo grove.
Let's walk this romantic path together.
Tenryuji Temple
Tenryuji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was built during the Warring State Period and experienced fire damage eight times.
Now we can sit down in the hall and enjoy the great view of the garden and Arashiyama.
This garden is designed beautifully so that the scenery of Arashiyama could be adopted in the garden.
We can relax in the hall and stroll around the garden.
Togetsu bridge and the riverside
Togetsu bridge is the iconic symbol of Arashiyama.
We will walk along the riverside.
You can enjoy the harmony of mountains, rivers and bridges from the riverside.
You can also enjoy the alluring scenery with beautiful cherry blossom in spring, bright greenery in summer, the flaming colors of leaves in autumn, and a majestic blanket of snow in winter.
Let's enjoy walking in the peaceful riverside and its picturesque scenery .
Kimono Forest
Arashiyama is famous for bamboo forests but this area is not a bamboo forest !
It is a 'Kimono Forest' !
Kimono fabrics are inside of the poles placed at the tram station. They look like a forest because they are closed together.
We can see 32 different kimono patterns which are made in Kyoto. As well as bamboo forests, we can enjoy the sunshine filtering through the poles during the daytime and the flash of brilliant golden colored poles at night.
Let's walk in the Kimono Forest together !
Your hotel in Kyoto
At your hotel or other places that you will choose.
If you stay in Osaka, we will finish the tour later.
If the finishing time is too late for you, I will change this itinerary.
I will tailor the tour for you.
Ending Point
17:30
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee for you and guide
admission fee for you and your guide ( Guides don't need admission fees for some temples.)
lunch costs for you and your guide
On this tour we'll enjoy tranquil walk, the beautiful nature, the picturesque scenery and historical places. If you want to visit other places, please feel free to let me know. I will arrange the tour according to your request.
Also, if you want to change the meeting time and finishing time, please feel free to ask me.
We'll be able to finish the tour at shopping district in Kyoto or Osaka if you want.
You will be able to enjoy the local food there.
This tour will show you the following;
・The tranquil places on the bamboo grove path
・The picturesque scenery
・ The history of Kyoto
・The correlation between Shinto and Buddhism for Japanese people.
・The traditional and beautiful gardens
・Special foods in Kyoto
Hello. My name is Atsuko.I'm a licensed tour guide in Japan.
I have lived in Osaka since I was born.
I have guided many tourists all over the world as a volunteer for 6 years. I like showing my tourists my favorite places in Japan and talking with them. Osaka, where I was born and raised, is famous for foods, modern and ancient cultures. Nara and Kyoto, which are neighboring places, were ancient capitals in Japan. I'm happy to visit those places with you.
Tessa E.
“An amazing introduction to Osaka”
Subarashii omotenashio Atsuko-san! We had a fabulous time with Atsuko-san, who took us to visit the impressive Osaka Castle, the bustling Dotonbori area, and the memorable gardens and pagoda at Shitennoji Temple. Atsuko-san was so patient and engaging with our energetic boys, and we all had a great time learning about the sites visited and about life in Osaka, past and present. We highly recommend this tour with Atsuko-san, who helped make our first visit to Osaka and Japan so memorable. Arigatō gozaimasu! The Ewens Family
Atsuko T.
Hello Ms. Tessa, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I also had a fabulous time with you today. I was happy to hear you enjoyed my tour in Osaka. Today was the first day in Japan. It was hot and humid, especially for you from Australia. Please enjoy your tour in Osaka and the rest of your long journey in Japan. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko
Reed H.
“Osaka Castle, Shitenno-Ji Temple and nearby garden, and Dotonbori ”
Atsuko was great. She met us at our hotel and showed us all the sights we wanted to see. She was very informative, relaxed and was great to talk to about everyday life in Japan. We highly recommend her.
Atsuko T.
Hello Mr. Reed, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. It was fun for me to do this tour with you. I really enjoyed showing my hometown and talking with you. I am happy to show you a real life in Osaka. Osaka was the 1st place on your trip. Please enjoy the long journey in Japan. Please say hello to Risa. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko
Glenis G.
“Lovely day with Atsuko ”
We had an amazing day with Atsuko . She was so knowledgeable and put as at ease immediately. She kindly adapted the tour as I was poorly and was unable to meet the 1st day so we felt we didn’t miss out on anything. We visited shrines and temples and Atsuko told us the history and culture and made the whole day very interesting and informative. Thank you so much for helping us create lovely memories
Atsuko T.
Hello Ms. Glenis, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I am happy to hear you had an amazing day in Nara. I also had a wonderful day with you and your son, Tom. Nara is rich in nature. I like visiting Nara. I think you really enjoyed your birthday and Mother's Day in Japan. Today is Mother's Day in Japan. My children also celebrate it for me. Thank you for joining my tour. Please say hello to Tom. Best regards, Atsuko
$277/ per group