Top Kyoto Cultural & Theme Tours

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

Experience the traditions of Japan at a tea ceremony in Kyoto and learn the origins of this ancient practice. Choose from one of two different tea ceremony options—one is hosted in a machiya (typical wooden house) and the other ceremony is complete with kimono dress. Your ceremony includes a guide, who provides translation.

Discover the history and religions of ancient Japan during this full-day exploration of Kyoto and Nara. See Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, along with its Imperial Palace. Then drive from Kyoto to Nara to explore its own World Heritage Site, Todai-ji Temple (including Great Buddha Hall), plus Kasuga Shrine. You also visit Nara’s deer park and sample a Japanese and Western-style meal for lunch. Your Nara and Kyoto visit also includes a guide, coach transport, and all entrance fees.

Hop aboard a traditional rickshaw with a private guide for a journey through the atmospheric streets of beautiful Kyoto. Depending on the ride length you select, be peddled through the serene shrines of west Kyoto’s Arashiyama neighborhood, discovering its picturesque Bamboo Grove, or admiring the wooden structures and ancient alleys of the Higashiyama district.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.

Overcome your temple fatigue in Kyoto with a walking tour of the little-known alleyways of the Gion district. Taking you off the main tourist trail, the tour puts the spotlight on Gion’s most interesting "roji," the uncharted backstreets that are lined with traditional wooden houses. You’ll learn about the locals who live there and the artisans who work there for a glimpse of Kyoto’s true culture.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Immerse yourself in Samurai history and culture during this 2-hour Samurai experience at a traditional Kyoto Samurai House. Under the guidance of an expert Samurai instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the ‘Way of the Warrior; handle a real katana sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

Enjoy 1.5 hours Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performance which includes below; Dancing Learn about Maiko cultures and differences between Maiko and Geisha. Enjoy Questions & answer time with Maiko about costumes, cultures, and others. Play Ozashiki-game, traditional party game with Maiko. Licensed English interpreter will guide you. Get a special name card(千社札) . Photo shooting with Maiko Meet, know, and enjoy with Maiko, apprentice of Geisha! Maiko learned to entertain their guests through dances, games, songs, and conversations for many years. Get to know all the essences of Maiko within 90 mins program. You may become a Maiko master after this performance! Your hosts hope you to enjoy this opportunity because meeting with Maiko is almost impossible especially for 1st time customer without any relationships or recommendations. Feel the beauty and elegance of Maiko and enrich your cultural experience in Japan on this charming night.

Depart from Kyoto by train for a full-day walking tour of Himeji in Hyogo prefecture, starting at its top attraction: the exquisite Himeji Castle. Then enjoy a lunch buffet of Japanese and western food. Afterward, travel to the Maiko Marine Promenade, a walkway that lines the Kobe side of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge—the longest suspension bridge in the world. Travel with your guide by train and on foot for an in-depth experience of these Japanese gems.

Nishiki Market is a foodie’s dream and one of Kyoto’s most loved markets, but it can be tricky as an outsider to know which of the 130+ shops are the best ones to visit. This tour helps you shortlist Nishiki Market highlights by having an insider’s top tips. You’ll try local food, visit souvenir shops, and hear about the market from a local’s perspective.

See more of central Japan on this overnight tour than would be possible if you were traveling independently. Visit several must-see towns and important historical and cultural sites—such Shirakawago, Hida Takayama, and Kenrokuen—while learning all about them from your local, English-speaking guide. Experience Japan beyond the mega-cities. An ideal tour for travelers short on time.

Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of Kyoto on a full-day sightseeing tour. See the tranquil Kiyomizu Temple amid its verdant surroundings; absorb the Imperial majesty of Kyoto Imperial Palace; and stroll amid the botanical beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple. Behold the beguiling beauty of the Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine and enrich your knowledge of Kyoto’s rich historical heritage with commentary from an informative guide. Moderate levels of fitness are advisable for this tour, on which a lot of walking occurs.

Travel round-trip from Kyoto by high-speed bullet train to take in Hiroshima's historic sites, including exhibits about the 1945 atomic bomb that devastated the city. Start your visit on a lighter note, traveling by boat to Miyajima, a famously beautiful island that is home to the revered Itsukushima Shrine. Have lunch there, then return to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Your expert guide shares important details about Hiroshima's heartbreaking history and remarkable recovery throughout this unforgettable tour.

Kyoto’s traditional neighborhoods and scenic parklands are ideal for exploring by bike. On this tour, save time by cycling around the city and visit five of Kyoto’s most popular attractions in one day. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu Temple; pose for photos by the red torri gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine; and hop off to stroll around the Bamboo Forest and explore the geisha district.

Immerse yourself in quintessential Japanese culture during a private tour and dining experience with a geisha. In Kyoto, considered the birthplace of geisha culture, you’ll explore the historic Gion area and dine on a multi-course meal at either a Japanese restaurant or tea house, accompanied by a ‘maiko’ (apprentice geisha) or ‘geiko’ (fully-trained geisha).

Sightsee through Kansai’s most scenic areas, seeing iconic landmarks in Nara and Kyoto in one day, without the hassle of changing trains or getting lost. With pickup times in either Osaka or Kyoto, board a convenient tour bus to visit the 1000 vermilion gates of Fushimi-Inari Shrine, scenic Nara Park, beautiful Arashiyama, and more.

Enjoy an excursion from Kyoto, and spend a day visiting historic Hiroshima and scenic Miyajima. Board a comfortable coach for convenient transport to Hiroshima. Enjoy a narrated tour with an English speaking guide and multilingual audio guide. Visit iconic landmarks like the Hiroshima Bomb Dome, Memorial Peace Park, Iwakuni shrine, and Kintai Kyo Bridge.

Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District—Gion can be daunting for a first-time visitor. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. It’s a great way to discover hidden places that locals love, and to hear about Kyoto’s ancient past. Highlights include learning about Geisha culture and rituals, and visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers, and those interested in Japanese spirituality. Put away the guidebook and follow the lead of a landscape designer with over 15 years’ experience. It’s a great way to discover secret local spots that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and to understand more about the meaning behind zen gardens.

We are a small group of people who specializes in private and personalized tours in Kyoto. Our aim is to help our customers to utilize best their precious time in Kyoto by offering specially crafted tours covering Kyoto's top attractions. When it comes to a trip, we know that you have your goals and preferences. We would love to hear about them and help you have a unique an unforgettable Kyoto experience. Postgraduate students with Ph.D. or MA- level scholar graduated from Japanese universities, our guides have vast knowledge about Japanese history and culture because they have been living here for several years and are experts in their fields. Their high academic level makes them proficient not only on everything Kyoto but also on the way of life in Japan and its rich history.

Immerse yourself in the Japanese culinary tradition of Kaiseki Ryouri during this evening food tour in Kyoto. Follow your guide through the Kamogawa and Gion areas, eating your way through a 10-course meal with included beverages and dessert.

It can be daunting as a first-time visitor to Japan to cope with language barriers and navigate around a new place. On this Kyoto half-day tour, take the stress out of travel planning by having a local host plan your day. Explore one or two neighborhoods of your choice, walking past multiple top attractions and learning about Japanese culture from your guide. By traveling with a local, you learn about hidden secrets off the beaten track that tourists wouldn’t usually visit.

Discover the Zen gardens, colorful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more.