Kyoto Arashiyama & Golden Pavilion One-Day Walking Tour

In this tour, you will enjoy Japanese nature including animals and landscape at the foot of Mt. Arashiyama which is located on the west side of Kyoto and famous for its scenic beauty. Once this district was open only to the nobles. Located not so far from central Kyoto, this natural environment has been very well maintained up to the present day. That’s why you can interact with wild monkeys very closely. In the afternoon, you will visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), one of the most famous Zen temples in Japan that you won’t forget for the rest of your life.

1. 1

   Monkey Park Iwatayama

   1 hour

   A 15 minute walk from Saga Arashiyama Station, you will reach a paradise of wild Japanese macaques after climbing a slightly steep mountain path. There are about wild but friendly 120 monkeys including cute baby monkeys living in this area. You can watch them play very closely and feed them from an enclosed resting area. In addition, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole Kyoto city from an altitude of about 190 meters. Admission: Adult 550 yen. Children (Aged 4 to 15) 250 yen.(as of Aug,2019)

2. 2

   Togetsukyo Bridge

   20 min

   Arashiyama is one of the most famous resorts in Japan and was once off-limits to all except the aristocrats. They enjoyed boating, watching the scenery and the moon reflected in the river and composed Japanese tanka poems about them. The elegantly curved bridge has been praised by the nobles including the Emperor for its beauty. Your heart will be healed by this scenery full of nature.

3. 3

   Kameyama Park

   30 min

   This park rich in nature is set on the other side of Arashiyama. From the park's observatory you can enjoy the spectacular view of steep cliffs and the river flowing at the bottom of the valley.

4. 4

   Bamboo Forest Street

   20 min

   We will take a walk through the world-famous Bamboo Grove with its incredible beauty and serenity. The sky-high green bamboo pillars softly rustling in the wind are an awe-inspiring sight.

5. 5

   Tenryu-ji Temple

   30 min

   This venerated temple was built by the shogun in 1339 to appease the late Emperor's spirit and is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Its garden is one of the most famous Japanese gardens featuring a magnifient landscape with Arashiyama as its background. Admission fee is 500 yen.

6. 6

   Kinkakuji Temple

   50 min

   Kinkaku-ji Temple is very well known as one of Japan's leading tourist attractions and some may notice that the admission ticket appears in one scene in the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The reflection of the Golden Pavilion in the pond with beautifully trimmed pine trees and precious rocks around it is truly something reminiscent of Buddha’s Pure land. Admission fee is 400 yen.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.