Small group
Japan · Culture · Food
Arashiyama Bamboo & Temples Walk with Michelin Lunch
Bamboo at dawn, a Zen garden, and a Michelin lunch inside a temple.
5 · 44 reviews on MagicalTripSmall group5 h
Why we picked it
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's most visited spots, and this tour earns its place by moving past the main street. A local guide leads you through the Bamboo Grove on a quieter route, and the finale is a Michelin-rated vegetarian lunch inside Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage site. It is the opposite of the rushed, crowded version of the same walk.
Choose your dateCheck dates and available spots on MagicalTrip.
Run by localsA locally owned operator, rooted in this place.
- Duration
- 5 h
- Format
- Small group
- Languages
- English
- Where
- Japan
- Rating
- 5 from 44 reviews
- Book with
- MagicalTrip, from $130
What you'll do
You walk Kyoto's Arashiyama district with a local guide, moving from the Bamboo Grove to quiet temple gardens and a World Heritage site. The tour ends with a Michelin-rated vegetarian lunch inside Tenryu-ji Temple.
You meet your guide outside Saga-Arashiyama Station and set off before the streets fill. The route takes you through the Bamboo Grove on a path that avoids the heaviest crowds, then into Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage site, where you explore the garden and a hidden Zen sanctuary. Your guide explains the Japanese aesthetic of asymmetry and nature, contrasting it with Western ideas of beauty.
After the garden, you visit a second temple and a Japanese garden, including the Ohkawauchi Sanso garden. The tour finishes with a Michelin-rated Shojin Ryori lunch, a traditional Buddhist vegetarian course, served inside Tenryu-ji Temple. The meal is a quiet, deliberate experience in a historic setting.
This tour suits travelers who want more than a photo stop. It asks for comfortable shoes and a full day of walking, and it is not recommended for those with mobility issues. The pace is gentle, but the distance is real.
Highlights
- Bamboo Grove route that avoids the heaviest crowds
- Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage site, and its garden
- Michelin-rated Shojin Ryori lunch inside Tenryu-ji
- Local guide explains Japanese garden aesthetics
- Hidden Zen sanctuary away from the main street
Good to know
- Gather at the base of the stairs outside Saga-Arashiyama Station's north exit, near the taxi stand.
- Visits include Tenryu-ji Temple, one garden, and one additional temple
- Lunch is Shojin Ryori, a Buddhist vegetarian course, inside Tenryu-ji
- Not wheelchair accessible; not recommended for mobility issues
- Guide will email you tour photos after the tour
Who it suits
Travelers who want a deeper look at Arashiyama's temples and gardens and are happy to walk for five hours, with a special interest in Japanese aesthetics and temple cuisine.
Questions
How long is the Arashiyama walking tour?
The tour lasts about five hours, including the lunch stop.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, people of all ages can join, but it is a walking tour with a fair amount of walking.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable walking shoes and respectful clothing, since you will enter temples and shrines. Avoid short pants and tank tops.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are limited. Inform the operator at least one day in advance, but they cannot guarantee allergy-free meals.
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