Private
Kyoto 京都 — Temples & Tea
Morning in Quiet Higashiyama
Temple lanes before the crowds arrive, and a slow cup of matcha where locals go.
- 3.5 hours
- Up to 6
- Starts 7:30 AM
From ¥28,000 /group
View tour
Kyoto 京都 — Nature & Gardens Sample tour
Green Kyoto: Bamboo & Moss Gardens
The bamboo grove in early light, then moss gardens most visitors never reach.
Duration
4.5 hours
Starts
8:00 AM
Group
Private · up to 6
Language
English
Walking
About 5 km (3 mi)
Difficulty
ModerateGentle paths, some unpaved and stepped
Meet at
JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Food & drink
Matcha & a sweet in a garden
The experience
Arashiyama is greener than you imagine. Arrive early and the bamboo grove still belongs to the wind — the stalks creak and knock against each other, and light falls through in thin green lines.
From the grove we climb to Okochi Sanso, the hillside garden of a film star, for matcha with a view of the mountains. Then we follow the quiet backstreets of Sagano, past thatched roofs and small fields, to Gio-ji — a tiny temple carpeted in moss under a canopy of maples.
We finish in the 700-year-old pond garden of Tenryu-ji, a World Heritage site, before walking down to the river. It is a slow, restorative morning — and a side of Kyoto that feels far from the city.
- The Arashiyama bamboo grove before the tour buses
- Gio-ji, a small temple carpeted in moss
- Matcha in the hillside garden of Okochi Sanso
- Tenryu-ji’s 700-year-old pond garden
Itinerary
Times are approximate. Because the tour is private, your guide adjusts the pace and stops to suit you.
8:00
Saga-Arashiyama Station
Meet at the south exit and walk into the neighborhood.
8:15
Nonomiya Shrine
A tiny shrine hidden in the bamboo, with a small moss garden.
8:30
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Walk the grove while it is quiet and listen to the bamboo in the wind.
9:10
Okochi Sanso Garden
A hillside garden with mountain views; matcha and a sweet are included.
10:10
Sagano backstreets
Thatched roofs, small fields and quiet temples.
10:45
Gio-ji
A small temple garden of soft green moss under maples.
11:40
Tenryu-ji Garden
A 700-year-old pond garden framed by the mountains.
12:30
Tour ends
At Togetsukyo Bridge, close to restaurants and the station.
Price & what’s included
Included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Entry to Okochi Sanso (with matcha), Gio-ji and Tenryu-ji Garden
- Personal tips for lunch nearby
Not included
- Transport to the meeting point
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup (available on request)
Possible extra costs
- Rickshaw ride through the bamboo, if you’d like one: from ¥4,000 per person
Meeting & ending point
- Meeting point
- JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, South Exit
- Nearest station
- Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line) — about 15 min from Kyoto Station
- How to find your guide
- Your guide waits just outside the south exit ticket gates with a small card showing your name.
- Tour ends
- Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama
- Hotel pickup
- Available on request for an extra fee. Ask in your booking request.
Saga-Arashiyama Station, Kyoto
Good to know
What to wear & bring
Comfortable walking shoes you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Bring a light layer — the forest is cooler.
Children & strollers
Great for families. The bamboo path is stroller-friendly, but the hillside gardens have steps.
Wheelchair access
The bamboo grove and parts of Tenryu-ji are accessible; the hillside gardens are not. Ask us about a flatter route.
Food allergies & diets
Tell us about allergies when you book. The sweet served with matcha can be skipped.
Weather
Moss gardens glow after rain, so we run in light rain. For heavy rain or storm warnings we reschedule or refund in full.
Photos & manners
Stay on the paths — moss is fragile and takes years to grow back.
Peace of mind
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 3 days before your tour for a full refund. Cancellation policy
Bad weather
If a storm or heavy rain warning is issued, choose a new date or a full refund.
Always reachable
Two days before, you get your guide’s phone and WhatsApp number. Before that, email us any time.
Clear next steps
Request → reply within 24 hours → pay online to confirm → pre-tour details. How booking works
What travelers say
★★★★★
“Our first time in Japan and we never once felt lost. The bamboo grove at 8 AM was magical — almost empty.”
Green Kyoto: Bamboo & Moss Gardens · May 2026 Sample
Questions about this tour
Is this tour good in every season?
Yes. Spring and early summer are the greenest, autumn brings red maples, and winter is the quietest. Your guide adjusts the route to the season.
Can we add lunch?
Yes. Ask in your request and we’ll suggest a tofu or noodle lunch near the river, or join you for it as an extension.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run in light rain, often with small route changes. If there is a storm or heavy rain warning, we’ll offer to reschedule or give a full refund.
How do we pay?
After we confirm availability, we send a secure online payment link. Card payments are accepted.
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