Kyoto Bus Tours Compared 2026: Bamboo Grove + Fushimi Inari
Six tours, two platforms, all covering some combination of Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, the two most-photographed sights in Kyoto. Prices range ¥3,721 ($23) across near-identical routes.
Verified: July 13, 2026.
The lineup
| Tour | Platform | Price | Reviews | Also covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto by Bus: Nijo, Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari | GetYourGuide | ¥5,297 ($32.74) | 750 | Nijo Castle |
| Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Nara Park & Fushimi Inari | Klook | ¥7,117 ($43.99) | not shown | Nara deer park |
| Kyoto Arashiyama Fushimi Inari and Nara Deer Day Tour | Klook | ¥7,216 ($44.60) | not shown | Nara deer park |
| Kyoto Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi Inari | Klook | ¥7,774 ($48.05) | not shown | Nijo Castle |
| Kyoto: Nijo, Bamboo Grove, Golden Pavilion & Fushimi Inari | Klook | ¥8,009 ($49.50) | not shown | Nijo + Golden Pavilion |
| Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-Dera Day Tour | Klook | ¥9,020 ($55.75) | not shown | Kiyomizu-dera instead of Nijo |
The winner, on price and proof
GetYourGuide’s Kyoto by Bus: Nijo, Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari (¥5,297 ($32.74), 750 reviews) is both the cheapest tour in this comparison and the most-reviewed, a genuinely rare combination. It covers the same core route as Klook’s ¥8,009 ($49.50) near-equivalent below for ¥2,712 ($16.76) less, and carries more visible proof than any Klook listing exposes.
Klook’s five variants
Klook’s Kyoto catalog has five tours covering this same general area, differing mainly in the third stop:
Kyoto: Nijo, Bamboo Grove, Golden Pavilion & Fushimi Inari Bus Tour (¥8,009 ($49.50)) is the closest match to GetYourGuide’s tour above, adding the Golden Pavilion for ¥2,712 ($16.76) more.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Nara Park Deer & Fushimi Inari (¥7,117 ($43.99)) swaps Nijo Castle for Nara’s deer park, the cheapest Klook option in this list.
Kyoto Arashiyama Fushimi Inari and Nara Deer Day Tour (¥7,216 ($44.60)) is nearly identical to the option above, ¥99 ($0.61) more.
Kyoto Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi Inari One-Day Tour (¥7,774 ($48.05)) drops the Golden Pavilion stop from the ¥8,009 ($49.50) tour for ¥235 ($1.45) less.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-Dera Day Tour (¥9,020 ($55.75)) is the priciest option, swapping Nijo/Nara for Kiyomizu-dera, the priciest and least-overlapping stop list here.
Viator’s version costs more for less ground
Viator covers the same two anchor sights differently: Fushimi Inari - Arashiyama: Torii Gates, Bamboo, Monkeys & Secret runs ¥12,817 ($79.22), 20 reviews. That’s ¥7,520 ($46.48) more than GetYourGuide’s winner and covers less than most of the Klook variants above (no Nijo, no Nara, no Kiyomizu-dera), a walking tour rather than a bus circuit. Book it only if you specifically want a smaller-group walk over a coach seat.
Which stop list to pick
- Want Nijo Castle: GetYourGuide’s ¥5,297 ($32.74) tour or Klook’s ¥7,774 ($48.05)/¥8,009 ($49.50) variants.
- Want Nara’s deer park instead: Klook’s ¥7,117 ($43.99) or ¥7,216 ($44.60) options.
- Want Kiyomizu-dera instead: Klook’s ¥9,020 ($55.75) tour, the only one covering it.
Final thoughts
For the core bamboo grove + Fushimi Inari route with Nijo Castle added, GetYourGuide’s tour wins on both price and reviews, no real argument against it. If Nara’s deer park or Kiyomizu-dera matter more to your itinerary than Nijo, Klook’s variants are the only ones covering those stops. Full Kyoto planning in our budget guide and 2-day itinerary.
Prices verified as of July 13, 2026.
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Check rateFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Kyoto bus tour covering the bamboo grove and Fushimi Inari?
GetYourGuide's Kyoto by Bus tour, ¥5,297 ($32.74), and it's also the most-reviewed at 750 reviews, a rare case where the cheapest option is also the most proven.
Do all these Kyoto bus tours cover the same stops?
Not exactly. All six hit the bamboo grove and Fushimi Inari, but some add Nijo Castle, some add Nara's deer park, and some add Kiyomizu-dera instead. Check the specific stop list against your priorities before booking.
Is a bus tour worth it for Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, or should I DIY?
Both are reachable by train and bus on your own, but the two sites sit on opposite sides of the city. A guided tour saves the cross-town transit time and adds context you won't get self-guided; DIY saves money if you're not in a rush.