Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Kyoto, Japan
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover hidden hiking routes that you likely wouldn’t find alone on this guided tour near the spectacular Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine—a place known for its bright orange torii gates. Following a guide, venture off paved paths and onto secret forest trails to the famous attraction, passing a natural bamboo forest, and a small shrine that’s off the usual tourist trail. The trip also reveals scenic views of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle.
- Avoid crowded tourist paths and discover hidden hiking trails instead
- See a magnificent shrine in Kyoto—Fushimi Inari-Taisha
- No getting lost: A guide takes care of the navigating
- A small-group tour means excellent access to the guide for questions
What's Included
- Tour photos during the tour
- A Certified guide by MagicalTrip
- Drink and Food
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- FamilyMart Nakai Tofukuji12-chōme-232 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan
Family Mart Nakai Tofukuji Store Outside of Tofukuji Station EXIT 2, Next to the Family Mart
End point
- Fushimi Inari Taisha68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
In front of the main Shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha
Itinerary
Tofuku-ji Temple (Pass By)
1
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Fushimi Momoyama Castle (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This hike is not super difficult, approximately 7km in total. But it is not a simple walk and does take some effort. We would not recommend it for people who have trouble walking or are not in a regular condition. We take regular stops and can do extra stops if needed.
- As the ground can be slippery, you need to come wearing shoes with good grip.
- There may be mosquitoes and bugs as the group will hike in the mountain, so we strongly recommend to wear long sleeve shirt and long pants.
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
- Summer in Japan is very hot and humid, so we recommend that you bring water and wear a hat to prevent heat stroke.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 1,847 reviews
Maggie_A, May 2026
Kan was an amazing tour guide. This hike was our favorite activity from our week in Japan. Thank you, Kan!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hike and that it became your favorite activity during your week in Japan. It’s wonderful to know that Kan made such a positive impression on your experience.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Kevin_W, Apr 2026
This was hands down the best way to experience Fushimi Inari. Going up the hidden route avoided most of the tourists. The hike was quiet, peaceful, and more in touch with nature. We took a route that most tourists don’t get to see, and from what we could tell, most people probably don’t even know it exists. On the hike back down the mountain, you take the normal path that people take up to the shrine. It becomes immediately apparent how crowded the path up that route is. The further down you get, the more crowded it was. I can say for sure, had I tried to experience Fushimi Inari the “normal” way, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it at all. But this tour is the best way, the perfect way to do Fushimi Inari.
Natalia_S, Apr 2026
Fantastic experience definitely would do again! Learned more on this tour than any other tour and great local experience hiking through the bamboo forest, learning about the history of Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan, and the Inari shrines.
Jonathan_C, Apr 2026
Tammy was great and showed took us off the beaten path to avoid the crowds. She was knowledgeable and gave us different options on where to go with a 7 and 10 year old. Thanks Tammy!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear you had a great time exploring off the beaten path and avoiding the crowds. It’s wonderful that Tammy was able to tailor the experience for your family and offer options for your children. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to her—she’ll be thrilled to hear them! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again.
Monica_F, Apr 2026
So nice to avoid the crowds! Very beautiful nature, bamboos and cedars. It is a slightly challenging hike in a few places, but our company of seniors made it without any problems.
Many thanks to our wonderful guide Take!
David_S, Apr 2026
This was an awesome tour. Our guide Yuka was amazing and made the entire day very enjoyable, as well as informative. The hiking trail is easy enough for someone with limited experience and was so much better than just taking the main entrance to the shrine, seeing a rural side of Kyoto, bamboo forest and small local shrines along the way. Highly recommend this tour and ask for Yuka.
Annelyssa_R, Mar 2026
Our tour with Ken on the Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Kyoto. From the start, Ken was absolutely fantastic—friendly, energetic, and incredibly knowledgeable. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone in our group, including our 6-year-old, felt comfortable and engaged the entire time.
What really stood out was how well Ken handled our endless questions. Whether it was about Japanese culture, Kyoto’s history, Mount Inari, or Shintoism, he had thoughtful, insightful answers and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely interesting.
Ken brought such a vibrant energy to the experience, and even though we only spent a short time with him, we walked away feeling like we had learned so much and seen a deeper side of Fushimi Inari that we never would have discovered on our own.
Another great bonus—Ken let us know during the tour that he had been taking photos for us and would share them afterward, which we hadn’t realized was included when we booked. It was such a thoughtful touch and meant we could just enjoy the experience without worrying about capturing everything ourselves.
We also absolutely loved the private tour aspect—it made the whole experience feel more personal and flexible, and we’re so glad we made the switch. Honestly, this was some of the best money we spent on our entire trip.
If you’re considering this tour—just book it. You won’t regret it.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and detailed review!
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your tour with Ken was one of the highlights of your trip to Kyoto. It’s wonderful to know that he was able to create such a fun, engaging, and comfortable experience for everyone in your group—including your child.
We’re especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the deeper insights into Japanese culture, Kyoto’s history, and Fushimi Inari.
Thank you again for your heartfelt recommendation—it truly means a lot to us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another adventure in Japan!
Jenn_T, Mar 2026
Beautiful hike from the backside of the gates. Louis was an excellent tour guide sharing history and information about the hike, shrines and experience. Best way to experience the gates without the crowds.
Paul_M, Mar 2026
Jimmy, our tour guide, was the real deal. Born in Japan and knows everything about his culture from experience, not books. It ended up being a private tour with only my family (3 people). He was engaging the entire tour, even through rough terrain we encountered while hiking. We saw almost no one else as we hiked up to the shrines. At the top, thousands of tourists were funneling through, coming from the main entrance to the shrine. We visited them in reverse, taking unmarked side paths to circumvent the crowds while hitting every site. He spoke with the locals and workers to get insider information on where best to go next to avoid crowds. This tour is worth every yen and the highlight of our trip to Japan.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your incredible review! We’re thrilled to hear Jimmy made your experience so special and that you enjoyed the unique route and insider insights. It’s wonderful that the tour became such a highlight of your trip. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
Christine_V, Mar 2026
A beautiful hike through orange Torii gates starting on opposite side of 3 peaks of the Inari shrine, Avoiding crowds initially. Many steap stairs on descent into main Shrine. Lovely nature walk through woods and bamboo farms. 4 mile walk up and down steps.
wendy_m, Mar 2026
Wonderful tour! Louis was a wonderful tour guide with lots of good information. It was a beautiful walk.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found Louis to be such a wonderful guide. It's great that you appreciated the beautiful walk and the information he shared. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience!
Terra_M, Mar 2026
The hike “ Fushimi Inari Hidden Hike in Kyoto” was amazing and our guide Reiko took the tour to a whole other level. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and above else thoughtful. She truly made the hike beyond special. The trails were tranquil surrounded by large bamboo and other beautiful trees and the shrines were magical. Reiko showed us how to pray at the shrines and was so kind as to write our prayers in Japanese for us on charms we purchased from the gift shop. I would highly recommend this hike. There are sections that can be a decent uphill climb with large steps so it might not be the best option for someone with mobility issues but can be achieved by most people if you maintain a comfortable pace. I loved every second of this hike! Thank you Reiko!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience on the hike and that Reiko made it even more special for you. She’ll be so happy to know that her knowledge, kindness, and thoughtfulness helped create such a memorable experience.
It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the tranquil trails, the beautiful bamboo forest, and the magical atmosphere of the shrines. We’re also glad that Reiko could share the traditions with you, including how to pray at the shrines and helping with your charms.
Thank you as well for mentioning the uphill sections, as that will be helpful for future guests to know. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are so glad you loved every second of the hike. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Japan!
steve_r, Jan 2026
Great tour with EMI.
She met us at the designated place, took us the opposite direction of the trip (starting at the end and finishing at the beginning) we avoided all the busy crowds that were building by the time our tour ended. Definitely go for the early morning hike. Places get busy even in winter season so we got quality time with no crowds. Emi is a wonderful guide.
Jesse_L, Jan 2026
The majority of this tour will avoid the crowds of people. The hikes in and out are scenic and beautiful. Our tour guide, Skito, was knowledgeable and patient, we enjoyed his company and his personality. Obviously the cultural significance is amazing. Being in good shape is recommended but not entirely necessary.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic hikes and the cultural significance of the tour. It’s great to hear that Skito’s knowledge and personality made the experience even more enjoyable. We hope to see you again on another MagicalTrip tour in the future!
Bethany_S, Dec 2025
It’s not an easy hike but so worth it for the beauty and calm approach to the shrine. You skip the crowds of people and get to experience it a different way.
simon_l, Dec 2025
This is a must do tour. You need to be relatively fit and have some good walking shoes. I was lucky enough to be the only one on this tour due to the time of year. I had 2 guides Yuha and Woohee who was a trainee, both were really nice and answered all my questions. The tour was so interesting and informative and would recommend it to anyone.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your great review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and had a comfortable experience with Yuha and Woohee. It’s wonderful to hear you found the walk informative and fun. We really appreciate the recommendation!
Valerie_D, Nov 2025
This was a great way to see Fushimi Inari! We were there on a super busy day at peak foliage season and National Holiday weekend, and we still felt like we had many of the areas on the upper part of the mountain to ourselves. Shin is a wonderful guide! It is nice to approach from a neighborhood and not through the very crowded entry gates. Note: this is not for the mobility challenged. Lots of walking, stairs, and steep paved climbs. Don’t hesitate to sign up!
Teresa_B, Oct 2025
Despite the rain, Matt provided an informed and reflective hike. There are a few steep climbs up stairs but his insights about the various shrines along the way made it worthwhile.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the hike with Matt, despite the rain, and that his insights about the shrines made it worthwhile.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another MagicalTrip tour soon! MagicalTrip
Sara_S, Oct 2025
After coming from the backside/top of Fushimi and working our way down, then seeing the crowds at the bottom, I was so glad we took this tour. The hike through a quaint residential area, then a beautiful forest was beautiful. The hike isn't hard, but it is strenuous in places, and there was some slippery rocky areas but they were minimal. Overall a doable hike for anyone in moderate shape or better. Out of all the tours we did in Japan, this was our favorite.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the Fushimi hike and found the route through the residential area and forest beautiful.
It’s fantastic to hear that this was your favorite tour in Japan! We hope to welcome you on another MagicalTrip experience in the future. MagicalTrip
Sergio_P, Oct 2025
This was a great experience. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the hike and at no time felt it was too difficult. Our guide was very friendly and easy to talk to. He gave us great insight into the shrine and various facts along the route. Well worth it
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your wife enjoyed the hike and found it manageable and enjoyable. It’s great that your guide made the experience friendly and informative, sharing insights along the route. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure!
Ryan_D, Oct 2025
Thank you Usuke! Super fun tour guide and was great with everyone including the family that came along. Great shortcut up to a non-busy area of the hike. Make. Make sure you're prepared, it's a bit of a moderate hike!
Wayne_H, Oct 2025
A fair amount of walking uphill, but a good tour to the bamboo forest and to the shrine areas. The guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating, he provided a good overview of the area and history.
Wendy_B, Sep 2025
Our family (including my husband and adult children) absolutely loved the Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour. The scenery was stunning from start to finish, and what made it especially memorable was approaching the iconic torii gates from the back. The trail was quiet, peaceful, and far from the crowds — we got to enjoy the gates nearly all to ourselves, which felt truly special.
We also hiked through a beautiful, serene bamboo forest that was a highlight in itself. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting history about the gates, even reading some of the inscriptions for us. It added a meaningful layer to the experience.
Highly recommended if you want to see a different, more tranquil side of Fushimi Inari. One of the best things we did in Kyoto!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your whole family enjoyed the Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour and that the peaceful, crowd-free experience made it truly special. Approaching the torii gates from the back and walking through the serene bamboo forest are the highlights of this tour and we're really glad you enjoyed it!
We’re also glad your guide was able to share meaningful insights and make the history come alive for you. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you and your family back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!
Chad_B, Sep 2025
We met Yuko on one of the hottest (and very humid) days of the year to hike the Hidden Trail. She had mosquito repellent for me and right off the bat, I knew she was going to be a good guide. The other 5 individuals didn't show so we got her to ourselves and could move quickly on such a warm day. The trail is awesome but it's definitely something you need a local to show you. She knew the history of the area and all the fun facts. Yuko had a fun personality and is a ball of energy scrambling up those technical trails. It was a highlight of our trip, even with the intense weather. I would highly recommend this trip (if you are fit and comfortable with a partially technical trail).
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour.
It’s wonderful to know that Yuko’s knowledge, energy, and attention to detail made the experience memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
Cynthia_W, Aug 2025
Beautiful hike in the forests in the Fushimi Inara area.
Highly recommend this tour to see all the shrines and tori gates.
Tour guide was also helpful and knowledgeable which made it more interesting.
Holly_J, Jun 2025
Naru what's the perfect tour guide! It was the perfect balance of information and enjoyment. He explained the history behind Japanese traditions, as well as providing insight to all of our questions.
MaryMargaret_S, Jun 2025
Our guide Hina was excellent. We had a semi-strenuous walk to Fushimi Inari though the woods. The only downside to the tour was the rain, which lasted from start to finish.
Thomas_O, Jun 2025
You can get lost in the busy crowds on your visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine like everyone else—or take hidden trails and find yourself in tranquil bamboo forests with secret waterfalls tucked away on the mountain. Our English-speaking guide, Naru, led us on the way less traveled to this famous site, and it did not disappoint. Not only did he explain the religious customs connected to all the gates and fox motifs, but he also made a point to snap unique photos of our family that make for some great souvenirs of our visit. We truly enjoyed getting to know Naru on our hike, and we can’t think of a better way to experience Kyoto’s famous shrine. This is a must-do! Helpful hint: bring the bug spray to ward off the mosquitoes;).
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're so happy to hear that your visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine was memorable and meaningful. It sounds like you truly experienced the magic of the hidden paths and peaceful nature that many visitors miss. Naru will be delighted to know that his guidance and photography made your hike even more special! Thank you also for the helpful tip about bug spray—great advice for future guests. We’re honored to have been part of your Kyoto adventure, and we hope to welcome you again someday!
Janice_W, May 2025
It was my husband’s and I first trip to Japan and we wanted to do the bamboo hike but after numerous stories of how busy the main entrance is, I came upon a blog that suggested a tour guide. Found this one and let me say the tour did not disappoint! It was a warm day and humid! But the hike was so much fun! Our tour guide Josh was informative and amazing! We also met other traveling our group that were fun as well!
Fiona_C, May 2025
Great tour very interesting and beautiful area. We missed all the crowds until the end. Josh was very informative.
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