Arashiyama Monkey Park: which three tours include the ticket and hike
What the Monkey Park hike is like
Iwatayama Monkey Park is a 15–20 minute uphill walk on steps through the forest, ending in an open area where roughly 50–60 Japanese macaques roam. Feeding (by park staff only) happens at set times. The view over Kyoto is good from the top. It is a real hike with steps; reviewers note the monkey climb is harder than expected, and anyone with knee or joint issues should consider carefully. Tours say they are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
$40 matcha tour (best value with monkeys)
Four hours, 629 reviews, 4.8 rating. Tenryū-ji 30 min, Arashiyama streets 20, bamboo 45, Nonomiya 15, Monkey Park 1 hr. Includes English guide, Tenryū-ji entry, one matcha drink, Monkey Park entry. Badge: best all-in value.
Summer caveat: In summer heat, the guide may not climb the steep Monkey Park steps. That hour becomes self-guided. Reviewers from summer months note this. Plan accordingly if you book in July or August.
$51 temple-and-monkeys tour (option A)
Five to five-and-a-half hours from Saga-Arashiyama Station. 939 reviews, 4.9 rating. Most reviewed on this site. Walking tour. Bamboo 25 min, Nonomiya 15, Ōkōchi Sansō 40 (beverage included), temple. At booking, you choose: option A (Monkey Park, 15–20 min steep hike) or option B (sake brewery with lunch). If you pick monkeys, the hike is in the afternoon after the temples. Includes bilingual guide, three entry tickets, green tea, souvenir photos. Two-guest minimum. Rain or shine.
$107 afternoon bike tour (monkeys at the end)
Four hours, 94 reviews, 4.9 rating. Bamboo 30 min, Tenryū-ji 30, Monkey Park 1 hr (20-min hike), Togetsukyō Bridge 15 min. Bike, helmet, entry fees included. Monkeys are the finale after the bike route. 20-min hike note.
Honest note about the hike
Multiple reviewers say the Monkey Park is harder than expected. It is a real climb with steps. Not all tours are suitable for all fitness levels. The $40 tour adds it as a one-hour block; the $51 tour makes it an option so you can choose. The bike tour saves leg power for the hike by biking the flat parts.
Read all fifteen tours or the price breakdown if monkeys are not a dealbreaker.
Frequently asked questions
Which tours include the Monkey Park?
Three: the $40 matcha tour (best value, 629 reviews), the $51 temple-and-monkeys tour option A (most reviewed, 939 reviews), and the $107 afternoon bike tour (94 reviews).
How hard is the hike to the Monkey Park?
Fifteen to twenty minutes uphill with steps. Reviewers note the monkey climb is harder than expected. Anyone with knee or joint issues should ask the tour operator before booking.
Can I skip the Monkey Park if I book the $51 tour?
Yes. At booking, you choose option A (Monkey Park) or option B (sake brewery with lunch). Pick B if the hike is not your thing.
Does the guide climb the Monkey Park hike?
Usually, but not in summer heat. The $40 matcha tour note says: in summer, the guide may not climb and that last hour becomes self-guided. Book the $51 or $107 if climbing is important to you and you are visiting in July–August.
Is the Monkey Park worth the steep hike?
If you like primates and mountain views, yes. If you just want to see the bamboo, the free path and the temples around it are enough. Many tours do not include monkeys.
Are the tours suitable for people with stroller or wheelchair?
No. The Monkey Park tours specifically note they are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The gravel path itself is fine (gentle gradient, no steps), but the Monkey Park hike is steps and steep.