




View all photos



























Arashiyama Hidden Gems: Walking Tour escaping crowds
Product code 413800P1
From
From USD 89
Dates
Mar 1, 2024 to Aug 1, 2024
Start times
1:00 PM, 9:00 AM
Travelers
Adult ages 12-99
Options
Relaxed Arashiyama Tour, The Tale of Genji Tour
Availability, payment, cancellation, and vouchers are completed on Viator after you leave this page.
Duration
3 hours to 4 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English, Japanese
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Booking, payment, cancellation, and vouchers continue on Viator.
From
From USD 89
Arashiyama Hidden Gems: Walking Tour escaping crowds





View all photos























Duration
3 hours to 4 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English, Japanese
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Why Travelers Love This
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.
Overview
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.
What's Included
Included
Original Tour Booklet (about 15 pages)
Helping to take good photos. I’m learning Photography as my hobby.
Guiding
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
Meeting and Pickup
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.
End point
If you'd like to return to the starting point, I'll be happy to walk back with you at no extra charge.
Itinerary
Stop 1
30 minutes
Stop 1
+ 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 minutes
Stop 2
+ Enjoying beautiful bamboo forest and soundscape of bamboo. + Taking photo time and memorable photos by Yusuke in bamboo forest.
Stop 3
55 minutesAdmission not included
Stop 3
+ 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 minutesAdmission not included
Stop 4
+ 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 minutesAdmission not included
Stop 5
+ The oldest artificial pond in Japan. + Enjoying beautiful scenery in each season and quiet bamboo forest. + Ticket is 300JPY.
Additional Info
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
No Back Problems
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
No Pregnant
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No Heart Problems
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Physical Easy
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Other
Travel/Walking time is included on the total tour duration. We will walk about 3km/55minutes during the tour with enjoying local scenery.
Other
You have to take off your shoes to enter inside at Seiryoji-temple and Daikakuji Temple.
Other
This tour will take about 4 hours.
Other
Please bring snacks if you need. There are not many restaurants around the ending point.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Experience may be cancelled for bad weather.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
Review Summary
4.9
15 reviews
Collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Similar Attractions
ViatorFushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha)
4.9 (39528 reviews)
Available experiences
421
ViatorKiyomizu-dera Temple
4.9 (31152 reviews)
Available experiences
304
ViatorKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
4.9 (34630 reviews)
Available experiences
303
ViatorGion Corner
4.9 (24255 reviews)
Available experiences
299
ViatorArashiyama Park
4.9 (31309 reviews)
Available experiences
233
ViatorNishiki Market
4.8 (8409 reviews)
Available experiences
179