Arashiyama Backroads Walking Tour

Arashiyama is a major tourism destination in Kyoto, but few visitors venture beyond the bamboo forest and central shopping area. This half day walk introduces a number of quiet locations set amidst tranquil scenery and is perfect for travellers looking to escape the city for a few hours of walking through nature.

Meet the guide and journey to Otagi Nenbutsuji, a secluded Buddhist temple renowned for its remarkable sight: 1200 moss-covered stone statues scattered across the temple grounds, blending religion and artistry to narrate an intriguing tale. Descend through the backroads of Arashiyama, encountering various noteworthy sites along the way. Explore a temple featuring a serene collection of stone effigies, hear the tale behind a moss garden inspired by an impossible romance, and admire a preserved 17th-century thatched roof house once inhabited by a renowned haiku poet.

Explore local shops offering folk crafts and traditional goods. Pause for a tea break in the garden of Japan's first silent film star's traditional home before strolling through the renowned Arashiyama bamboo forest. Conclude the tour on central Arashiyama's main street, where the guide can suggest additional points of interest in the area.