Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan

Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour

Outty Ranking 64 4.9 · 44 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom ¥6,500
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 44 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour worth booking?

Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour is a 3-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from ¥6,500 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 44 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (44)
Duration
3 hours
From
¥6,500 per person

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Arashiyama. There are 1200 unique and whimsical Buddhist statues there, so it is becoming a popular spot recently. Also, since the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous tourist locations in Kyoto/Japan, we decided to make a Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple & Bamboo Forest tour from Kyoto Station. Our tour provides a nice car for you & your family/friends to use on the way to the temple. You can also enjoy sightseeing on the way! We will walk for about 45 minutes - 1 hour through the Oku Saga Area after Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, so you can feel a distinctive Japanese atmosphere there before reaching the Bamboo forest. After enjoying the forest, we will finish the tour on the main street of Arashiyama. Transport back to VIP station is not included, but we can advise you how to get back easily. *We recommend that you bring the following in the summer: Hats & Parasols / Sunscreen / Drinks

What you get

    About this experience

    Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Arashiyama. There are 1200 unique and whimsical Buddhist statues there, so it is becoming a popular spot recently. Also, since the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous tourist locations in Kyoto/Japan, we decided to make a Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple & Bamboo Forest tour from Kyoto Station. Our tour provides a nice car for you & your family/friends to use on the way to the temple. You can also enjoy sightseeing on the way! We will walk for about 45 minutes - 1 hour through the Oku Saga Area after Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, so you can feel a distinctive Japanese atmosphere there before reaching the Bamboo forest. After enjoying the forest, we will finish the tour on the main street of Arashiyama. Transport back to VIP station is not included, but we can advise you how to get back easily. *We recommend that you bring the following in the summer: Hats & Parasols / Sunscreen / Drinks

    What's included

    Included

    • In-person English Guide
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Gratiuity

    What you'll see and do

    1. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

      Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Arashiyama. There are 1200 unique and whimsical Buddhist statues there, so it is becoming a popular spot recently. Also, since the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous tourist locations in Kyoto/Japan, we decided to make a Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple and Bamboo Forest tour from Kyoto Station. It's very difficult to visit by yourself on public transport, but our tour provides a nice car for you & your family/friends to go.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Arashiyama

      Travel to & seeing the world famous Bamboo Forest!

      90 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Kyoto

    Located 30 seconds across from Kyoto Station (on the WEST side), on the ground floor of Ibis Hotel.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We'll finish on the main shopping street of Arashiyama.

    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
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 5 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Kyoto MK

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 2Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 3Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 4Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 5Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 6Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour in Kyoto, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 44 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Pace and timing

    3 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    44 verified traveler reviews for Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    41
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Virginia_H · July 2026

    great sightseeing - more...

    great sightseeing - more walking than expected but plenty of places to stop in along the way loved the statues at the shrine informative and friendly guide

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review Virginia! I'm glad you enjoyed the statues at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and found the tour informative. It was a pleasure showing you around Arashiyama, and I hope to see you again on another tour! - Nadya (MK Travel)

    via Viator

    Miriana_V · June 2026

    The temple and the little...

    The temple and the little statues are charming. The bamboo forest was also interesting albeit crowded (we were there around 11am on a weekday). The 30 min walk from the temple to the forest was not very interesting…

    Response from the operator: Hi Miriana, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We're very glad to hear you enjoyed visiting the temple and the bamboo forest. We sincerely apologize that TripAdvisor's tour description overview was vague and didn't clearly mention the walk from Otagi Temple to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. We're currently asking TripAdvisor (again) to make it more accurate and set clearer expectations for future guests, so we really appreciate your feedback. Thank you again, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in Japan! -Nadya

    via Viator

    Danitza_L · June 2026

    Lana was an amazing tour...

    Lana was an amazing tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. Highly recommend this tour!

    Response from the operator: From Lana: Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure guiding you ☺️ I also enjoyed learning from you. Thank you for sharing so many interesting stories and insights! Wishing you all the best on your travels⛩️

    via Viator

    493amberlym · May 2026

    Beautiful day with an amazing guide

    Awesome experience! It was a beautiful day to spend time in nature. Rena was an amazing guide and we enjoyed our time with her. Would recommend to any friends wanting to explore the area with someone knowledgeable!

    Response from the operator: From Rena - Thank you so much for the lovely review! I’m really happy I got to meet you both and spend the day together. You both had such great energy and it made the tour really fun for me too. I’m glad you enjoyed all the places we visited and the time we spent in nature. It was a beautiful day. Hope to see you again someday if you come back to Japan!

    via Tripadvisor

    ashleysX3042NC · April 2026

    Great Experience with a wonderful guide

    We had a wonderful tour through the Temple and Bamboo forest with a few added extras. Our guide, Rena, was a pleasure. She was very knowledgeable and had many suggestions for our family. We would highly recommend this tour for your family.

    Response from the operator: From Rena- Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to know that the tour was enjoyable for your whole family. It was my pleasure spending time with you and having the opportunity to show you around. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Japan again in the future.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
    Price range
    ¥6,500 to ¥15,000
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    15
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Kyoto MK, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.7.

    See everything Kyoto MK runs

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)51
    Booking momentum (14% weight)44
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.

    How much does Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at ¥6,500 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 Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour 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 Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 44 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

    +

    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 Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

    +

    Around 15 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?

    +

    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 Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night, Kyoto : Chopsticks Making Workshop with Engraving Option in Gion, Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

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    Included: In-person English Guide; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Gratiuity. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

    +

    Located 30 seconds across from Kyoto Station (on the WEST side), on the ground floor of Ibis Hotel. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Otagi Nenbutsu Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour?

    +

    Across 44 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

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