Tenryuji Temple

Start the tour with pick up from central Osaka and travel to historic Kyoto. Over the course of the day, you'll be presented with a balanced view of this historic city and its surroundings. The Arashiyama district is the first stop, and it is here where you'll be introduced to Japanese garden and temple design. Tenryu-ji Temple has one of the most outstanding, timeless examples of Japanese gardens surrounding it's simple-but-majestic temple buildings. Then it's time for a walk up through the famous bamboo grove - a photo opportunity not to be missed - before arriving at the entrance to luxurious Okochi Sanso. Here you will try some matcha (Japanese green tea), before exploring the winding paths that connect the buildings, views, and garden areas. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a stroll alongside the river, then have free time for lunch and even a bit of shopping, if you wish. Next, enjoy the atmospheric streets of the Goin district, complete with a gurgling stream and rows of traditional tea house and restaurant buildings.  Not far from the Gion is Fushimi Inari-taisha, arguably the most famous Shinto shrine complex in the entire region. After having a look around you'll end your tour with a visit to the famous Torii gate.

Start the tour from the JR Saga Arashiyama station. The Arashiyama district, located west of the Kyoto city center, has long been a scenic leisure spot. Many ancient aristocrats had their villas here 1000 years ago and enjoyed writing literature and poetry. Today, the area is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kyoto.  First, explore the Bamboo Forest and quiet Sagano District, a peaceful neighborhood known for its beautiful maple trees. Then, visit Tenryu-ji temple which was built in 1339 by the Shogun Ashikaga in memory of the Emperor Go-Daigo and was a complex of more than 100 buildings. They were mostly destroyed by fires and civil wars over the years, but the traditional garden remains in its original form, designed by the monk Muso. Enjoy walking in the landscaped garden. After walking, taste Japanese croquette, leek pancakes, and sweet potato. Then, head over to the Togetsukyo bridge which, as the area’s landmark, dates back to the 9th-century and provides a good photo taking spot for visitors today. At the end of this half-day tour, have a nice sweets. If you like, you can enjoy shopping around after the tour because the this tour finished in a district where you can find many souvenirs.

Your guide and chariot await at Kyoto’s iconic Togetsu-kyo bridge in Arashiyama, a nationally designated historic site and place of scenic beauty on Kyoto’s western fringe. Be amazed by the district’s main attraction, a towering grove of thick bamboo stalks with a pedestrian and rickshaw path cutting through it. Seeing its beauty, you’ll understand why the Japanese have a fond appreciation for nature. Admire the scenery, which is a blend of serene nature, tended gardens, and dazzling shrines, as your rickshaw driver pulls you up the mountain. Next you’ll see the beautiful Nonomiya Shrine, a Shinto site. If you’ve chosen the 45-minute tour, at this point you’ll end back at the starting point. But if you choose a longer tour, up to 3 hours and 10 minutes, you’ll continue through more of Arashiyama’s wealth of sites. Explore Rakushisya’s cottage, a rustic thatch-roof cottage that was once the home of one of Japan’s revered poets and haiku masters. Those continuing on will be pulled to spots not seen by many tourists. Explore more ancient temples, including Shinto shrines and the Buddhist Nison-in, as your guide whisks you through some amazing places before returning to Togetsu-kyo bridge. The Kyoto Arashiyama Tour is available in four different options: 45 minutes, 1 hour and 10 minutes, 2 hours and 10 minutes, and 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Transform the way you travel and make it as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Get a welcome to Kyoto from a local host eager to share all the tips and tricks to help you make the most of your stay. Meet at your hotel or accommodation and get familiar with your local neighborhood. Learn about the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around. Alternatively, arrange to meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Hear about the top things to do, customized to your interests. By the end of the tour, you will feel more comfortable navigating the city on your own with all the information you need.

For an easy day trip from the heart of Kyoto, there is nowhere more magical than Arashiyama. Discover a district tucked away in the west of the city at the foot of the Arashiyama Mountains. This enchanting area is easy to get to but the tranquility you will find in the stunning Bamboo Grove can feel like another world. Explore the enchanting forest with a local guide. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the mountainous landscape. Explore the riverbanks around the Togetsukyo Bridge and winding paths through the bamboo to discover temples and shrines hidden amongst leafy forests. Visit the Monkey Park and where you can encounter wild monkeys at close distance and enjoy watching them frolic about. Visit some of Kyoto’s most important temples and shrines and enjoy a break from the city’s bustling center. Explore the beautifully preserved traditional Saga-Toriimoto Street and see the historic temples and sacred shrines that the area is renowned for including the Tenryu-ji Temple and smaller sites like Gioji, hidden away in a secluded maple forest. Enjoy an authentic meal at a neighborhood eatery that suits your tastes and budget where the locals eat. Get tips and tricks from your guide about other areas of Kyoto to explore. Your itinerary will be fully personalized according to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local partner's team will be in touch, so just let them know if you have any special requirements. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Book an early time slot if you wish to escape the crowds.

This experience is perfect for natural early-risers, and for those who are seeking a unique experience and don't mind getting up early for it. The tour takes you to three of the most famous sites in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shirine, Kiyomizu Temple, and Arashiyama bamboo forest. Start at the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine before the crowds arrive. Marvel at the thousands of red gates that line the path up the hillside. This is a magical time to see the amazing temple complex and get a view of the city coming to life below you. Proceed then across town to Arashiyama, where you'll get to see the beautiful bamboo grove, which will still be relatively quiet and thus a great setting for snapping some fantastic photos. Before leaving Arashiyama, if time allows, visit one of the most beautiful zen temples in Kyoto and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tenryuji Temple. Explore its radiant garden to round off the four-hour experience. Along the way, pick up insights into the history of Kyoto, Buddhism, Japanese garden design, and more. Your friendly guide will also answer any other questions you may have regarding the rest of your stay in Japan.

Visit iconic spots such as the Bamboo Forest path, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Kimono Forest on this walking tour. Arashiyama was once the holiday villa area for the authorities for more than a thousand years.  Walk along Bamboo Forest Path, one of the most photogenic spots in Arashiyama, and take photos to remember the trip by. Next, see theTogetsukyo Bridge, an iconic bridge which is framed by the Katsura River and an impressive mountain in the background. Carry on to Kimono Forest to see a beautiful path with palls wrapped with kimono cloth. You'll then go on to visit Jojakko-ji Temple. See the temple in a mountain that has no walls between the greenery and the precinct. The beautiful red autumn leaves here are so beautiful that it is a must to visit this spot. Feel craftmanship at Yuzen Chopsticks shop which is specializing in chopsticks where you will find a perfect souvenir for your Kyoto tour! Find your favorite one and get your name carved on it! Learn and understand the history of Tenryu-ji Temple, a registered as UNESCO world heritage. It has a beautiful Japanese garden which is a national treasure. At the end of the tour, you will have a famous matcha (green tea) parfait while looking over Katsura River. You can even try special curry and rice with local Kyoto vegetables.

Make the most of your day in Kyoto with a private driver. Stop at the stunning Kiyomizu-dera temple and pass by Yasaka Shrine though Gion to reach the Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji temples. Stroll among the stalks of bamboo at the Arashiyama Grove and finish at Tenryu-ji. Get picked up from your accommodation in Kyoto and get ready to spend an unforgettable day in the ancient city. Meet your friendly, private driver and cruise through the streets taking in local life. Arrive at the picturesque Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend time admiring the pagoda, beautiful in every season. Continue on towards Kinkaku-ji and drive through Gion, the geisha district of Kyoto. Look out for hostesses in colorful kimonos on wooden bridges and be alerted by your driver when you pass by Yasaka Shrine. Visit your second and third temple of the day at Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji to learn about Zen Buddhist tradition and wonder at the fascinating architecture. Relax in the peace of the stone gardens and meditate on life. Wander through one of the most popular sites in Kyoto at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, immersing yourself in another world of towering stalks. Make sure to take some photos and listen to the rustling wind. Ranked first among Kyoto's five great Zen temples, finish your trip at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Tenryu-ji, where Zen Buddhism is practiced. Step into the garden created by Muso Soseki and watch the shimmering reflections in the Sogen Pond.

Start the tour from the JR Saga-Arashiyama station North Exit. Skip the regular and crowded route which leads directly to the bamboo forest, and make your way to the lesser-known Saga-Toriimoto area.  Visit the local gift shops and beautiful local temples and shrines. Learn about the local stories and legends of the area from your guide. Enjoy the beauty of the bamboo forest and learn about its significance for the locals.  Next, visit Tenryu-Ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous its beautiful Sogenchi pond and garden which was once owned by local aristocrats. Walk towards Arashiyama's iconic Togetsukyo bridge. Then, enjoy a traditional lunch with typical Kyoto cuisine. Enjoy the views over the Togetsukyo bridge from the restaurant while you are eating.