Arashiyama Hidden Gems: Walking Tour escaping crowds
Explore a quieter, more local Arashiyama on a relaxed walking tour. This experience focuses on hidden paths, calm temples, scenic views, and local food—beyond the typical tourist route. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy Arashiyama comfortably and thoughtfully, with a small group an
📍Meeting point: In front of Locker area at the Keifuku(Randen) Arashiyama station. Randenya is shop at Keifuku(Randen) Arashiyama station. +Google map does not show exact place when you put correct station address.
Explore a quieter, more local Arashiyama on a relaxed walking tour. This experience focuses on hidden paths, calm temples, scenic views, and local food—beyond the typical tourist route. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy Arashiyama comfortably and thoughtfully, with a small group and a local guide. My name is Yusuke. I designed this tour and guide it myself as a local Kyoto guide. With experience guiding over 3,000 guests, I aim to help you enjoy a deeper and calmer Arashiyama. For guests who choose the “The Tale of Genji” option: Most of the places visited on this tour (except the bamboo forest) appear in The Tale of Genji. If you are interested, I will explain the historical and literary context during the tour. Both options visit the same locations. The “The Tale of Genji” option simply adds deeper literary storytelling.
Travel Insurance for Japan
SafetyWing covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, and adventure activities. Plans from $1.5/day.
What To Expect
Stop 1
⏱ 30 min+ Seeing black wooden Torii gate. Only 2 shrines in Japan have black torii gate. + Seeing beautiful moss garden. + Knowing the way of visiting temple and praying. + Knowing the differences between shrine and temple. + Feeling relaxing as a spiritual place. + Getting Shrine stamp (Goshuin). (optional)*You need stamp book and to pay stamp fee. *”The Tale of Genji Tour” gives you more guiding about the tale. + Experiencing physically the world of the tale.
Stop 2
⏱ 15 min+ Enjoying beautiful bamboo forest and soundscape of bamboo. + Taking photo time and memorable photos by Yusuke in bamboo forest.
Stop 3
⏱ 55 min+ Experiencing old temple. This temple was built about 1,200 years ago originally. Present building was built about 300 years ago. + Seeing Japanese national treasure – Shaka Nyorai Buddhism statue. + Enjoying magnificent building and corrido with beautiful Japanese garden. + Getting temple stamp (Goshuin). (optional)*You need stamp book and to pay extra stamp fee. *There are 2 kinds of Temple stamp. Official stamp with paying and free stamp. + Enjoying local sweets. (optional) *Sweets fee does not include. + Ticket is 400JPY *”The Tale of Genji Tour” gives you more guiding about the tale. + Seeing the tomb of Toru Minamoto who is the model of Genji in the tale. + Experiencing physically the world of the tale.
Stop 4
⏱ 50 min+ Former Emperor’s Imperial palace called Saga Gosho that was built about 1200 years ago. + This temple is the hidden gem. You can enjoy traditional imperial palace without crowds. + There are some unique way of building such as nightingale floor, corridor of Murasame and so on. + This is former imperial palace so that you can experience how emperor and queen lived. You also can move without walking on the ground. + Getting temple stamp (Goshuin). (optional)*You need stamp book and to pay stamp fee. + Ticket it 500JPY. *”The Tale of Genji Tour” gives you more guiding about the tale. + Experiencing physically the world of the tale.
Stop 5
⏱ 20 min+ The oldest artificial pond in Japan. + Enjoying beautiful scenery in each season and quiet bamboo forest. + Ticket is 300JPY.
What’s Included
- ✓Original Tour Booklet (about 15 pages)
- ✓Helping to take good photos. I’m learning Photography as my hobby.
- ✓Guiding
What’s NOT Included
- ✗Ticket for Daikakuji temple & Osawa-no-ike Pond
- ✗Ticket for Seiryoji temple
- ✗Japanese snacks (Optional)- about 500 yen
- ✗Insurance-Please prepare your insurance on your own if you need.
- ✗Gratitude
Additional Info
- 🚇Public transportation options are available nearby
- 🦴Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- 🤰Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- ❤️Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 🚶Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- •Travel/Walking time is included on the total tour duration. We will walk about 3km/55minutes during the tour with enjoying local scenery.
- •You have to take off your shoes to enter inside at Seiryoji-temple and Daikakuji Temple.
- •This tour will take about 4 hours.
- •Please bring snacks if you need. There are not many restaurants around the ending point.
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Tokyo Tower Area 3h Guided Cycling Tour
Tokyo Highlights 3 Hours Private Guided Cycling Tour
Tokyo 5hr Private Guided Tour & 1hr Soba Making Experience
Private Scenic Day Tour in Mt. Fuji and Kawaguchiko
Tokyo Private Tour Highlights Temples Markets and Skyline
Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Taiyaki Making Experience
Tokyo 5hr Private Guided Tour and Batto (Sword) Experience
Tokyo 5hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
From
$89