Tours in Kyoto

Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies. The traditions of ancient Japan are still alive and well in the old capitol, Kyoto. Walking around this beautiful city can feel like you are in a time machine as its architecture has been preserved for centuries. Kiyomizu Temple towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. There is much history in this city that you don’t want to miss so book our Government Licensed and Experienced English-speaking guides for a walking tour of Kyoto! Once your reservation is made, a guide will be in touch to plan your personalized tour. Choose 3 to 4 spots that you wish to visit and your guide will plan a personalized itinerary. If you do not know where to visit, ask the guide to send you their recommended itinerary based on your interests. Whether you are a history buff, love the beauty of old Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you!

Experience the Way of the Samurai in Kyoto Step into the world of the samurai with this authentic experience. Dress in traditional samurai attire and explore the history of the warrior class, before watching a captivating demonstration by our expert instructors. Next, you’ll have the chance to practice your swordsmanship with a wooden sword, progressing to a genuine katana. Learn the art of cutting through a rolled tatami mat to refine your technique and precision. The experience concludes with a Zen meditation session, designed to calm your mind and center your focus. This immersive and rewarding experience offers a deeper understanding of the samurai culture and traditions, perfect for anyone looking to connect with Japan’s rich martial heritage.

You can experience a tea ceremony in the authentic tea room of a 130-year-old Kyoto townhouse! The art of tea ceremony is a wonderful way to experience traditional Japanese culture. Combining zen and Japanese tea, attending a tea ceremony is a must when visiting Japan, especially in Kyoto! -Enjoy beautiful Japanese sweets like cookie or candy from historic shop in Kyoto -Delicious matcha green tea from historic shop in Kyoto -Learn how to make tea -Learn tips to enjoy tea without tea utensils at home

Watch a real Maiko, an apprentice Geisha, perform up close. With only about 40 Maikos left in Kyoto, seeing one is a rare and special experience. Their numbers decline each year, making this opportunity even more valuable. Kyoto is the only place where you can experience the authentic world of Geisha, don't miss this chance! To begin the show, the Maiko will perform a traditional dance, which lasts around 5 minutes, the usual length of most Maiko performances. After 2 dances each around 5 minutes, there will be time for a Q&A, photo-taking with the Maiko, and a chance to play a traditional Japanese game together. Please note the following for the show: 1. No outside food or drinks — please keep them in your bag. 2.Socks are required — if you don’t have any, our guide will assist you in buying them at 7-Eleven. 3. Do not leave during the show — if you have reservations, please inform your guide beforehand. 4.Set your phone to Do Not Disturb.

Kyoto keeps traditional arts and beauty alive, but the busses and subways can be confusing and provide challenges for those with walking limitations. At Japan Guide Agency, we want everyone to experience Kyoto so we are happy to provide this customizable, private guided tour with a vehicle! Join us on a tour of Kyoto to see Kiyomizu Temple as it towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. The bamboo forest of Sagano and the gardens, shrines and temples in Kyoto will provide you with a window into old Japan. Once your reservation is made, a guide will contact you to plan your personalized tour. Choose 4 to 5 spots from ‘Tour Details’ to visit. Whether you are a history buff, love Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you! *Maximum 7 participants per tour. *If you have a child or children in your group, please let us know the number and their age.

Discover the sights of Kyoto that interest you the most on this customizable sightseeing tour. Alongside a private driver-guide, make an itinerary of your desired attractions or get recommendations to create your perfect day. Whether you want to focus on temples, culture, shopping, or Japanese history, this tour has everything covered for you. *Learn about Kyoto’s history and culture from your guide *Get a comprehensive overview of Kyoto in a day *In case of traffic, extra time is given free of charge *A private tour means a personalized experience

This is a walking Tour. Like other famous places, most travelers don't know the real potential of Arashiyama, unless someone shows it to them. We are here to make your trip to Arashiyama memorable and help you the best way we can to make every second you spend in that area count. OTHER LANGUAGES (FRENCH / GERMAN / SPANISH) Some guides from our team can speak more than English and Japanese, but we cannot guarantee a specific language other than English on a shared tour. To confirm the availability of your preferred language on the date you wish to book our tour, don't hesitate to get in touch with us before your booking. Thank you.

Join one of our hosts to explore Kyoto after dark. Amble through the wooden alleyways of historic Gion and see the picturesque streets of old Pontocho. Discover sacred shrines hidden in cosmopolitan shopping areas and share small dishes and beers with your host in a traditional izakaya or tachinomiya (standing bar). Kyoto after dark is more a feeling than a place, and with your host by your side, you’ll tap right into that. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Discover the beauty of Kyoto and Join me on this E-bike cycle tour through Kyoto’s enchanting back streets to the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. Discover hidden gems and explore stunning temples along the way. Immerse yourself in Japan’s rich culture and ask me any questions you have for an authentic Kyoto experience. On this tour, we will cover a variety of topics including Buddhism, Shintoism, and Samurai. This tour will take roughly 4 hours.

Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 9 hours to cover (cash to the driver):5 passengers: ¥100, 000, 7 passengers: ¥125, 000,more than 7 please let me know in advance) Tour covers the top sightseeing spots of Kyoto. Itinerary is shown here, however, you can still customize it in arrangement with the guide. 08:30(In case of Tokyo station meeting, extra ¥60,000, please notify the guide 2 days before the tour about the meeting point wether Tokyo or Kyoto) Tokyo Station (Gin-no-Suzu Square -Silver Bell Square-, the most well-known meeting place in Tokyo Station), help you to buy the bullet train tickets and heading to Kyoto using bullet train (Shinkansen) 11:00 Arriving Kyoto station and meeting the van rented 11:30 Bamboo grove and Tenryuji temple garden 12:30 Kinkaku-ji temple 14:00 Nishiki Market-Lunch break with Pontocho walk 15:30 Gion area and Geisha spotting streets 17:00 Fushimi Inari shrine 18:00 Back to Kyoto station, and take bullet train to Tokyo

Only Tea Ceremony venue to win the Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award four years in a row. KYOTO MAIKOYA relocated to an old machiya house registered Tangible Cultural Property by the local government. It is a historic townhouse where you can feel the real Japanese culture and enjoy the tea ceremony by gazing at two picturesque Japanese tea gardens. You will make Green tea (Matcha) in an ancient style tea ceremony room wearing Kimono. Kimono is prepared for both males and females. Learning about a country through cultural workshops and activities will give you a better understanding of our intricate history, valued social principals and holistic way of life.

This is a one-day tour of Kyoto's must-see sights, very popular in any season and safe for first-time travelers to Kyoto. You will visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo Castle, and Kinkakuji Temple, all of which are the main attractions of Kyoto! Select the "customizable tour " option and contact your guide 2 weeks in advance to create a fully personalized itinerary. At Fushimi Inari, enjoy the mysterious 'Senbon-torii'. Kiyomizu-dera Temple offers a unique view of Kyoto from its stage, while Nijo Castle showcases gorgeous old architecture. Kinkaku-dera Temple, known for its golden building, is said to be the origin of the 'Golden Land' ・Enjoy a jam-packed itinerary without worrying about planning ・Mastered guide - our guide have a great guide experience and have deep knowledge of Kyoto ・Avoid language barriers—no worry about the language barrier! ・If you would like to request a limo service by which you can go around with private car, select "with limo" option

Explore the wonderfully atmospheric Gion district at night Gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s culture and traditions from a friendly and knowledgeable guide Wander around traditional backstreets, visit offbeat temples and shrines, and even get to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (apprentice geiko) Book at any time – last-minute bookings are accepted! Enjoy the intimacy of a small group tour (no more than 9 people)

Discover Nara's must-see landmarks on the deluxe coach tour and try to make Matcha tea at Uji in Kyoto, the birthplace of matcha. We will drive pass Fushimi Castle and Heijokyo Palace on the way to Nara. We will visit Todaiji Temple, a house of the Great Buddha of Nara and it is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Meet about 1,400 deer at Nara Park, you can even feed them rice crackers. Then we visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine where 3000 magical stone lanterns enlighten you. After lunch, we go to Uji area in Kyoto and try making Uji matcha tea! Spot the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall depicted on the back of the 10-yen coin at Uji. ・Cover Nara's must-see destinations and 3 World Heritages in a day! ・A Professional English-speaking guide leads this tour ・On top of that, multilingual audio guidance is available in EN, FR, IT, ES, DE, PT, UK ・Greet large Buddha at Todaiji Temple ・Enjoy cute deer at Nara Park ・Learn about Authentic tea while making it yourself in Uji, famous for matcha

What You’ll Experience Learn the history and cultural significance of the tea ceremony. Explore tea utensils, their uses, and care tips. Practice proper tea etiquette and serving techniques. Enjoy a demonstration of the ceremony's elegant movements and seasonal hospitality. Prepare matcha yourself to experience the essence of the practice. Participate in a Q&A session. Note: For languages other than English and Japanese, check staff availability.

Gyoza dumplings originated in China but have evolved over time into a uniquely Japanese dish, with different styles and sizes, becoming a popular favorite. In this class, you’ll learn how to make Gyoza dumplings from scratch while also discovering a bit about Samurai culture and Japanese history, all within a traditional Kyoto townhouse. After the cooking class, you’ll have the option to dress up in Samurai armor(optional) and take memorable photos.

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Your local guide will tell you about the traditions from an insider perspective about Geisha culture. At the same time you'll explore Gion's beautiful streets, temples, shrines, and shops, for a comprehensive overview of historic Kyoto. The mysterious world of Geisha can seem exclusive and challenging to discover, but on my experience ･In the first half we will walk in Gion and discuss the living traditions, their lifestyle and history. ･In the second half we will meet an apprentice geisha, Maiko. First we will talk with and ask her questions. Also we will watch her dancing, having one of these, a cup of tea or lunch or dinner together. *Picture and filming of Geisha is fine but not allowed to post it in public.

Discover Kyoto’s captivating geisha district, Gion, with a professional guide who knows every corner of this historic area. Wander through picturesque alleys, admire timeless architecture and discover hidden gems. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Kyoto's historic geisha district. In the first half of this group cultural tour, walking through the charming streets of Gion. Gain insight into Kyoto's rich cultural heritage and traditional charm. Learn about the lifestyle of Maiko (an apprentice Geisha) and Geisha (Geiko in Kyoto) and uncover the fascinating history of this renowned geisha district from a knowledgeable local guide. In the second half of the tour, visit a special private house where you will be warmly welcomed by a Maiko and a venue's owner (a former geiko). Enjoy their fascinating live performance, engage in conversation and take pictures with the maiko. Experience the true essence of geisha culture and create unforgettable memories with this tour.

Begin your day from VIP Lounge in Osaka or Kyoto. Your journey starts in Nara, Japan's ancient capital. Explore Nara Park, where friendly, free-roaming deer welcome you, embodying the city's charm. Stroll through this historic park before visiting Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the 15-meter-tall Great Buddha statue in the world’s largest wooden structure. Next, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Walk amidst towering bamboo stalks and enjoy the calming atmosphere as sunlight filters through the trees. Free time for lunch (note that lunch may shift to Fushimi Inari depending on traffic). Continue your exploration at Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Marvel at its gold-leaf exterior and serene garden. Finally, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates leading up Mount Inari. Each gate represents a prayer to Inari Okami, the deity of prosperity and safety. At day’s end, return to Osaka or Kyoto.

Uncover the little-known sake culture of Fushimi, Kyoto on a 3-hour insider brewery visit + sake tasting and food pairing session with an expert. Deepen your knowledge of sake making process and a bit of history of its production at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum.  Enjoy the samples of different types of sake as well as leaning details and varieties and personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour. This is a fun and educational experience to change your way of enjoying sake.   If you love sake but don't know what to select or want to know more about sake, join us and let's deep dive into the world of sake. After you experienced this, you will know which type of Sake actually you like, and you will be able to select your favorite Sake from labels or restaurant's menu even if they are all written in Japanese.

You can explore hidden parts of Kyoto and you can customize your joinery as your wish. specially we focus to cover following places. You can select 4 places below 6. (This is tour has not include detailed historical information about sights but we will help you and assist throughout your journey ) Nanzenji Fushimi Inari Arashiyama bamboo forest kinkakuji Temple Ryon ji Temple

Welcome to a hidden gem in the historic kiyomizu Sannenzaka area. This prestigious teahouse is located in the famous garden designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, one of Japan's foremost landscape architects. Upon entering the traditional sanctuary, you will be guided through the enchanting grounds where every stone and plant tells a story. Here you will discover how this elegant ritual has captured the hearts and minds of people for over 500 years and shaped the cultural identity of Japan. Watch in awe as a tea master demonstrates the elegant choreography of the tea ceremony, refined by centuries of practice. Then, under gentle guidance, you will be taught how to make matcha tea, recreating the perfect froth of the bright green powder at home. Before departing, leave this memorable experience with a photo shoot in a tranquil garden where the beauty of the four seasons will provide an iconic backdrop for your cultural adventure.

You and no more than five others will explore the local foods and entertainment districts of Kyoto on a not-so-standard, all-inclusive walking and eating nighttime tour! You'll mingle with locals, eat regional specialties at two different standing bar restaurants (though we often sit down at one or both), and be given a visual feast of a primer on the various nightlife scenes in Kyoto, from geiko (a.k.a. "geisha") on down. With a native or equivalent English speaking guide at your side, you'll get a clear understanding of what the area is all about. And with some great food and a couple of (included) drinks in you, the merriment will be all the more! Our tours are very small group (6 or less), which means much more attention and quality for you. Local insight, great food, and good times await. For those interested in trying some Kobe beef, be sure to choose the option which includes 100g (about 3.5 oz.) of prime Kobe area beef. It's reasonably priced, too!

A fully customized experience for those who are used to the best of the very best. We go out of our way to make your day in Kyoto a very special one indeed. The itinerary in the description is just an idea. Upon booking, you will receive a questionnaire and then once we learn what really makes you tick as a traveller we get to work on planning the perfect day for you and those special to you. This tour includes entrance fees for up to two gardens and transportation by taxi from place to place including hotel pick up and drop off. Options for upgrades to private transportation with chauffeured vehicle will be sent upon booking and confirmed based on availability.