
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 739 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) worth booking?
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) is a 3-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $109 per person. It scores 92 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 5/5 rating across 739 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 92 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (739)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Discover the true essence of Arashiyama with our exclusive bike tour, offering early access and a journey beyond what most visitors see. Explore Kyoto’s most naturally beautiful area, known for its blend of cultural and
What you get
About this experience
Discover the true essence of Arashiyama with our exclusive bike tour, offering early access and a journey beyond what most visitors see. Explore Kyoto’s most naturally beautiful area, known for its blend of cultural and natural wonders, including charming rice fields, photogenic landscapes, and scenic country backstreets far removed from the city’s bustle. Ride along Kyoto’s most breathtaking roads and uncover the hidden gems of Arashiyama beyond the iconic Bamboo Forest . As the only Arashiyama-based bike tour, we’re excited to share the unmatched beauty and depth of this captivating region with you. *AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
What's included
Included
- Native English speaking bilingual guide
- Bottled water
- Bicycle
- Helmet
Not included
- Gratuity for your guide (always appreciated!)
- Hotel pick up or drop off
- E-bike (We use standard Cannondale city bikes)
What you'll see and do
Bamboo Forest Street
Explore the beauty of the bamboo and be transfixed by the one of the top soundscapes of Japan. This is one of the top visited places in Kyoto and provides a perfect backdrop for a memorable photo.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Tenryu-ji Temple Sogenchi Teien
Stroll through one of the most beautiful Japanese Zen gardens in Kyoto at the World Heritage Tenryuji Temple.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Arashiyama
Cycle to quiet temples and quirky shrines along the stunning scenic backstreets of Arashiyama. Arashiyama is Kyoto's most naturally beautiful area, known for its blend of cultural and natural wonders.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Togetsukyo Bridge
Take in the breathtaking mountain landscape of Arashiyama as you admire one of Japan’s most iconic bridges—a view that perfectly captures the region’s timeless beauty.
10 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
Nearest train station - JR Saga Arashiyama Meeting Point is : JR Saga Arashiyama Station, Exit right at the ticket gates (See PDF in your Viator message inbox)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Nearest train station - JR Saga Arashiyama Meeting Point is : JR Saga Arashiyama Station, Exit right at the ticket gates (See PDF in your Viator message inbox)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kyoto Bike Tour
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please provide heights of all guests at time of booking
- All guests will be required to sign a liability release waiver prior to the tour
- *AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 739 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
739 verified traveler reviews for Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great bike tour!
We had such a great bike tour with Rob this morning! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun and relaxed. A fantastic way to explore the city and discover places we would have otherwise missed. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Relaxing, beautiful, and informative
Great tour, relaxing, we did not expect it to be so informative. Friendly tour guide, (Rob), knowledgeable and shared personal details about his experience living in Japan; more than simple sightseeing. Thanks for a great morning!
via Tripadvisor
Hot but definitely worth it!
As a family of three, travelling with our 11 year old son, we opted for the Early Bird Bike Tour to avoid crowds and the hottest part of the day. We took the train to the meeting point which we found easily thanks to the very clear instructions sent prior to the day (and Google Maps!) Our guide, Don, met us at the train station, pointed us in the direction of restroom! and provided ice cold water and a hydration tablet before setting off in the heat. The Bamboo Forest was a highlight, a number of tourists around but Don managed to navigate us through and snap some great family pics. We were on a small tour with just two others and we certainly got what felt like a personalised tour. A highlight for us was cycling through the rice paddle fields, seeing the pink lotus flowers and cycling across the bridge. Our 11 year old is an experienced bike ride and loved it - one of the best and most interesting bike tours he has done! I am an average cyclist and felt safe on the roads. The heat did get to me heading up a final hill but Don explained the group would be heading back so I waited half way up. The heat was intense but Don factored in plenty of rest and hydration stops. Don took photos throughout the morning which he shared promptly at the end of the tour. He also gave us some pointers for local eateries and we lived the curry! Highly recommended. Thanks, Don.
via Tripadvisor
Don't miss this experience
Highest recommendation! We had an amazing experience with Rick as our lead recently, based on recommendations from friends who loved a tour with Yuki in 2025. Rick was a friendly and knowledgeable guide. We did this our first morning in Kyoto and it really helped frame our whole visit there. He taught us about shrines and temples (customs, how to approach, etc) and that was super helpful for later visits on our own. Rick made the heat bearable with nice touches like breaks, water and snacks, and salt / electrolyte tabs. Our family tends not to do tours but he made it engaging for all of us (including two skeptical teens). Would definitely do this again.
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful ride, awesome guide!
This was one of our favorite activities we did during our two weeks in Japan. Our guide, Rob, was awesome! He shared so much with us about culture and religion and the region. He was super knowledgeable and really kept everyone engaged. The ride was lovely! Not just the bamboo forest but also the small streets around the neighborhood and my favorite part which was going out through the rice fields and small country roads that border Kyoto at the base of the surrounding hills. Even in the crazy summer heat, this was still a fantastic experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $109 to $17000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 259
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 92
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) cost?
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Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 92 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 739 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)?
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Around 259 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kyoto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kyoto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
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On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option, Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto, Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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