[Includes 1 person] [Seasonal Only] Kyoto Arashiyama Cherry Blossom Day Tour | Arashiyama, Tetsugaku No Michi, Nanzenji Temple, Keage Incline, and Sewaritei| Depart from Osaka and Kyoto
- Book easily with KKday and travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Kyoto's famous cherry blossom viewing spots
- Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus without the hassle of planning your transportation
- Kyoto's cherry blossom viewing spots: Arashiyama, Keage Incline, Minamizenji Temple, Tetsugaku No Michi, and Sewaritei- all in one day!
- Enjoy Kyoto's specialty dish, yudofu
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included |
| Seasonal | Spring Cherry Blossom |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Temples & shrines, Historic site tour, Eco-tourism, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
＊Sewaritei Cherry Blossom Festival Official Website (Japanese only)
https://www.yodogawa-park.jp/sakurafes/
※The 2027 schedule has not yet been announced. The dates are currently based on last year's event.
We will update this information immediately once official details are released.
Yodogawa River Park's Sewaritei is located in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. It's the confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers, and a renowned cherry blossom viewing spot in Kansai. The approximately 1.4-kilometer-long embankment is lined with nearly 250 cherry trees, creating a rare cherry blossom tunnel in Kyoto. The Sewaritei Sakura Festival is held annually from late March to early April, with approximately 100 vendors setting up shop. The scene is bustling with activity, so be sure to join in the fun.
Arashiyama is a must-see destination for viewing fall foliage and cherry blossoms in Kyoto! The iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, spanning the Katsura River, is a landmark here. The Sagano Bamboo Tunnel, a 100-meter-long bamboo path, creates a fairyland-like experience. Sunlight filters through the trees, highlighting the lush green bamboo. Nonomiya Shrine, known among friends as the God of the Moon, is home here. Within the shrine lies the aura-filled Turtle Rock. Legend has it that if you touch the rock and make a wish, it will come true within a year!
Nanzenji Temple is the head temple of the Nanzenji branch of the Rinzai Zen sect. Founded in 1291, it is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Kyoto during the spring.
The Keage Incline Railway, located near Nanzenji Temple, is part of the Lake Biwa Canal Project and was originally built for ship transport. The railway stretches 582 meters, with a steep incline of approximately 36 meters. Over 90 cherry trees line the railway, making the "Old Railway Sakura" a truly spectacular sight during cherry blossom season.
The Tetsugaku No Michi is a 2-kilometer walking trail connecting Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji Temple. It's famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. It got its name from the fact that Kyoto University professor Kitaro Nishida would walk and contemplate here every morning. While admiring the cherry blossoms, you can experience the elegance of the scholars of yesteryear.
Purchase Notice
- Vehicle type: Assigned based on the number of passengers. For small groups, a driver-guide will provide full service throughout the trip; no additional tour leader will be provided. Please be aware of this.
- Smaller vehicles may be used on the day; please avoid bringing large luggage. If necessary, please inform us in advance for confirmation.
- Infants under 2 years old who do not occupy a seat or require meals can join for free. Each adult may bring only one infant who does not occupy a seat. If traveling with an infant, please indicate this in the 'Remarks' section when booking.
- Meal contents may be adjusted based on the availability of ingredients at the restaurant on the day. If the original restaurant is temporarily closed or fully booked, the dining location will be changed to one offering meals of equivalent value.
- We reserve the right to flexibly adjust the itinerary and meals. To ensure the smooth operation of the tour, the order of sightseeing spots may be changed. We appreciate your understanding.
- Participants cannot leave the tour early or drop out midway. Leaving the tour midway will be considered a voluntary abandonment of the remaining itinerary, and no refunds will be provided. We appreciate your understanding.
- Please note that this tour is primarily conducted in Chinese. The driver-guide can communicate in Chinese and Japanese. Translation software may be used for English assistance. We cannot provide full-service tour guidance in English or Japanese. We appreciate your understanding.
- This itinerary involves long travel times. Those with unstable health conditions (such as pregnant women) should evaluate their own health before participating. Risks such as the inability to receive immediate medical attention due to sudden illness during the trip must be borne by the participant. Please be aware of this.
【Notes】
Group or individual package tours are subject to the Domestic Travel Standardized Contract issued by the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China. By completing your booking, you agree to and accept the Standardized Contract for Overseas Travel.
Reminders
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 20 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Meals are not included for children under the age of 3
Some plans require a single tour group, but the minimum number of participants is generally 21. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the tour will be cancelled and a cancellation notice will be sent by email 7 days before departure.
Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
The scheduled tour route may be changed or cancelled due to traffic conditions or congestion on the day.
Road traffic is unpredictable. During the flower season, there will be a large number of people admiring the flowers, and there is a possibility of serious traffic jams. On holidays, traffic will be more congested. Please consider whether to arrange your trip at night. No refunds or compensation will be given if your return is delayed. Thank you for your understanding.
If the tour cannot be carried out due to weather conditions or insufficient number of people, a full refund will be given. However, if the passenger leaves the group or voluntarily gives up the tour due to personal reasons, no refund will be given. Please be advised.
The cherry blossom viewing period may be slightly delayed due to weather conditions. Once the tour is completed, the tour will depart as scheduled regardless of the cherry blossom blooming conditions. Please be advised.
The bus seats are one person per seat. We do not accept advance seat reservations. Depending on the number of registrations on the day, passengers of the opposite sex may be assigned seats next to each other. Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness.
If a bus is delayed due to a breakdown or traffic jam, and the itinerary or activity has to be changed or cancelled, passengers may not object or withdraw from the tour on any pretext. If the itinerary is delayed or changed due to factors such as bad weather, strikes or unexpected accidents, passengers may not use any pretext to request compensation or refund of the tour fee.
If the tour is cancelled or suspended due to special circumstances before departure, such as bad weather, natural disasters, mechanical failure, traffic accidents, war, coup, strike, riot, government order, etc., which are not attributable to the travel agency, the full tour fee will be refunded. After departure, the refund will be made after deducting the costs incurred. In this case, the group members may not object or request compensation for any reason. The losses or additional expenses caused by the incident are the sole responsibility of the passengers.
The company, drivers, tour leaders and tour guides are not responsible for any loss of money or property caused by theft under any circumstances and at any location. Passengers are responsible for keeping their own property and documents.
In order to consider the safety of the passengers themselves and the rights of other group members, if you have chronic diseases, mobility problems, etc., please inform us when you sign up.
Minors or children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers aged 80 and above must be accompanied by family or friends. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Based on travel safety and smooth itinerary, the company reserves the right and obligation to adjust the itinerary, modify activities or cancel the tour. If the tour is cancelled, the full tour fee will be refunded.
If you have a vegetarian or special dietary request due to religious or allergic reasons, please be sure to inform us in the comments section when making your reservation. We will convey your request to the partner restaurant, but we cannot guarantee that it will be provided. Please note that we do not guarantee that it will be provided.
During the experience, you may be seated at the same table or table with fellow passengers on the bus or restaurant. This is subject to the tour leader and facility arrangements on the day.
Please note that the arrival time at Kyoto Station may vary depending on traffic conditions from Dotonbori, Osaka.
Please note that the boarding and drop-off at Kyoto Station may change depending on the number of passengers on the day.
Infants under 2 years old who do not occupy a seat/require meals can join for free. If traveling with an infant, please indicate this in the 'Remarks' section when booking.
Vehicle type: Assigned based on the number of passengers. For small groups, a driver-guide will provide full service throughout the trip; no additional tour leader will be provided. Please be aware of this.
Cancellation Policy
- For cancellations made at least 41 day(s) prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 5% will apply
- For cancellations made 31 to 40 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 10% will apply
- For cancellations made 21 to 30 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 20 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once your refund request is confirmed, KKday will initiate the refund to your original payment method within 15 days. The actual refund timing depends on your card-issuing bank’s policy.
FAQ
1. What is the historical meaning behind the name "Tetsugaku No Michi" or Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto?
The Philosopher's Walk (Tetsugaku No Michi) in Kyoto is named after influential Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro and his students, who reportedly used the path for their daily meditative strolls on their way to Kyoto University. It is a scenic stone path that follows a canal lined with hundreds of cherry trees. The name reflects its serene atmosphere, conducive to quiet contemplation and philosophical thought while enjoying nature's beauty.
2. How long is Tetsugaku No Michi (Philosopher's Walk), and what is the typical walking duration?
Tetsugaku No Michi, or the Philosopher's Walk, stretches approximately 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) from Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) to the vicinity of Nanzen-ji Temple. The typical walking duration for the entire path is generally around 30 to 45 minutes if walking at a steady pace. However, many visitors choose to take longer, allowing time to stop at various temples, cafes, and shops along the way, especially during cherry blossom season.
3. What unique experiences or highlights can visitors expect along Tetsugaku No Michi (Philosopher's Walk)?
Visitors to Tetsugaku No Michi can expect a peaceful, picturesque stroll along a cherry tree-lined canal, particularly vibrant during spring. Highlights include visiting numerous small temples and shrines nestled along the path, such as Hōnen-in Temple and Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji Temple, each offering unique garden views and spiritual ambiance. The walk also features quaint cafes and artisan shops, perfect for a relaxing stop, and beautiful canal-side views ideal for photography.
4. What are the main famous attractions and highlights within Arashiyama that visitors should see?
Arashiyama is renowned for its diverse natural beauty and cultural sites. Key attractions include the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where towering bamboo stalks create an ethereal pathway. Other highlights are Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens, and the picturesque Togetsukyo Bridge, offering scenic views of the Hozugawa River and surrounding mountains. Exploring the charming streets with traditional shops and riverside eateries is also a popular activity.
5. How many hours are generally recommended to spend exploring Arashiyama?
To fully appreciate the major sights and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Arashiyama, it is generally recommended to spend at least half a day, approximately 3 to 5 hours. This allows sufficient time to walk through the Bamboo Grove, visit Tenryu-ji Temple, cross Togetsukyo Bridge, and explore some of the smaller temples or shops. For those wishing to include additional activities like a Hozugawa River boat ride or a visit to Iwatayama Monkey Park, a full day might be preferable.
6. Is there an entrance fee for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove?
No, there is generally no entrance fee to walk through the main pathways of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove itself. It is a public pathway accessible to everyone without charge. However, some specific temples or gardens located within or adjacent to the wider Arashiyama area, such as Tenryu-ji Temple or Okochi Sanso Villa, do have their own separate admission fees if you choose to enter them.
7. Which specific spots in Arashiyama are best for viewing cherry blossoms?
During cherry blossom season, Arashiyama offers several exquisite viewing spots. The area around Togetsukyo Bridge is particularly beautiful, with cherry trees lining the riverbanks and hillsides, creating a stunning panorama. The Arashiyama Nakanoshima Park, located on the island formed by the Hozugawa River, is another popular spot for picnics under the blossoms. Additionally, some smaller temples in the vicinity also feature beautiful cherry gardens.
8. What kind of atmosphere or overall experience can visitors expect from walking Tetsugaku No Michi during cherry blossom season?
Walking Tetsugaku No Michi during cherry blossom season offers a truly enchanting experience. The path transforms into a tunnel of delicate pink and white petals as the cherry trees bloom profusely along the canal. Visitors can expect a vibrant yet serene atmosphere, with petals gently falling onto the water, creating a dreamlike landscape. It's a popular time, so while it can be bustling, the beauty of the blossoms and the quiet flow of the canal maintain a tranquil charm, perfect for romantic strolls and photography.
