Misty Fujii is a Canadian who moved to Osaka, Japan, in 2019 and married her Japanese sweetheart. In 2022, they had a baby and moved to Fukui for the clean country air. She is a DJ who teaches English part-time and writes to share Japan with the world. She gets excited about collecting vintage vinyl records, food from all countries, travelling, and renovating her traditional Japanese house.
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There is so much to see and do in Japan’s cultural capital. Home to numerous temples, shrines and palaces, Kyoto has some of the country’s oldest buildings and is also known for its rich food culture and geisha. Guided tours will give you an up-close-and-personal experience of this fascinating prefecture and make sure you don’t miss out on all the amazing things Kyoto has to offer.
Special offer going on now!
Before we get into the best tours, we’d like to introduce a limited time, special opportunity that you wont want to miss!
If you’re a huge fan of Japan’s incredible display of autumn colors, known in Japanese as “koyo”, then you’re in luck! Kiyomizudera and a handful of other temples in Kyoto are offering a special chance to enter the grounds before, or stay after operating hours to see the beautiful fall foliage. This is the perfect opportunity to see the temples in their glory as well as avoid potentially dense crowds as the spots are limited. The luxurious Kyoto Brighton Hotel line offers these immaculate experiences for those staying at the hotel as an add on to the room fee, but can also be reserved as a package initially.
Please note that the morning time slots differ in price and location to the evening. The morning experiences boast a variety of different temples and days Throughgout November up until December 1st, while the evening experience is only at Kiyomizudera and is only offered on the 1st of December.
For all the specifics, be sure to visit their official site and make your reservation while you can!
- 1. Kyoto Food and Drink Tour @Nishiki Street & Gion
- 2. Private Geisha district tour “Explore Gion, the Geisha world”
- 3. Kyoto Night Foodie Tour
- 4. Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour
- 5. 3-Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- 6. Kyoto 4-Hour HIGHLIGHT Private Walking Tour
- 7. Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch
- 8. Kyoto Rickshaw Tour
- 9. Kyoto Samurai Experience
- 10. Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Kyoto
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1. Kyoto Food and Drink Tour @Nishiki Street & Gion
If the quickest way to your heart is food, you’ll definitely fall in love with Kyoto on this tour, which will take you through ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’ and beyond. Starting at Nishiki Market, you’ll learn all about the history of this 400-year-old foodie haven while sampling local delicacies as you go. Nishiki Market is famous in Kyoto, with more than 100 shops and restaurants specializing in the area’s culinary specialties. You’ll also get a taste of the city’s ancient culture as you wander Kyoto’s nostalgic streets, leading you through some of the popular geisha districts. With stops at shrines and temples along the way to learn about local traditions and beliefs, your head will be as full as your belly by the end of the tour.
2. Private Geisha district tour “Explore Gion, the Geisha world”
Another symbol of Japan, and particularly of Kyoto, are the elusive geisha. With stunning kimono and elaborate makeup, geisha are highly skilled in performing arts as well as the art of conversation. Typically only patronized by the wealthy, their lives are shrouded in mystery. For anyone fascinated by the mysterious world of geisha, this tour of Gion and its surrounding shrines and kabuki theater with an expert guide will be a dream come true. The chance of spotting a real geisha on her way to one of the area’s many tea houses is just icing on the cake!
▼ Geisha/Maiko Experience with Green Tea (Matcha) and a Gion Walking Tour? What are you waiting for? For more information click the Link below!▼
3. Kyoto Night Foodie Tour
Kyoto comes alive at night, especially in the geisha districts. For an even deeper experience of Kyoto’s food culture, you can visit some of the city’s smaller restaurants and bars to try traditional food and drinks. You’ll learn about food history and culture from your guide as you savor the flavors of Kyoto around the areas of Gion and Pontocho. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for geisha in the lively neighborhoods past the Kamogawa River.
4. Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour
With so much to see, it’s impossible to do everything in a single day. Or is it? Thankfully there are knowledgeable guides who can use their expertise to curate a customized tour, making sure you don’t miss any of the good spots. You can start at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for the thousands of bright red torii gates. From there, you can explore the green bamboo paradise that is Arashiyama before heading to the magnificent golden pavilion, Kinkakuji Temple. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to explore Gion, the most famous geisha district. You could even enjoy breathtaking views of Kyoto from Kiyomizudera, one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. It’s up to you! This is the ideal tour if your time is limited and you want to make the most of it.
5. 3-Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
Curious about the world of sake, Japan’s famous and much-loved drink? On this tour, you will get to try ten different types of sake, from sweet and fruity types to dry and even a cloudy one. You will tour the biggest sake brewery in Fushimi, where you can see how sake is made the traditional way and, of course, taste it! Then, meet a true sake expert to try varieties you might not have imagined existed. One of the best things about being among pros is that they know exactly which snacks will be the perfect match for the sake you’re drinking. With the handy cheat sheet received on this tour, you’ll surely be able to impress your friends back home with your newfound sake knowledge.
6. Kyoto 4-Hour HIGHLIGHT Private Walking Tour
You don’t even need a full day to make the most of your time in Kyoto. With a half-day tour, you’ll still have the chance to see some of the top sights and learn all about them from an expert tour guide. Choose a couple of your must-see spots, or let the guide decide and take you to some quintessential Kyoto locations. The tour could include a visit to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizudera, for example. No time for getting lost? No problem, because your guide will meet you at your hotel or Kyoto Station.
7. Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch
They say you never truly know a destination until you’ve biked your way through it. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or just love to cycle, this is a great tour option for active travelers. Explore northern Kyoto on two wheels and navigate some of the roads less traveled. If you think you’ve already seen most of what Kyoto has to offer, this tour will surprise you with a visit to the lesser-known Nishi Honganji Temple, before soaking up the tranquility of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Then, you’ll bike to a great photo spot and admire the golden Kinkakuji Temple. Thanks to your two-wheeled mode of transport, you can cover a lot more ground compared to being on foot, so you’ll be able to see Kyoto’s Imperial Palace and the Gion district as well.
8. Kyoto Rickshaw Tour
Evoke a nostalgic era on a rickshaw ride through some of Kyoto’s most scenic and historic districts. If you’ve always wanted to enjoy the sights and scenery without having to worry about where to turn at the next corner, sitting back on a rickshaw ride can be a fun and relaxing way to explore the city, and you can reserve the rickshaw for as long as you like. Whiz by sights like the green moss garden at Gio-ji Temple, admire cherry blossoms at Daikaku-ji Temple in spring, or see the cottage belonging to a famous Japanese haiku poet, to name a few. If you’re looking for an extraordinary experience on an unconventional mode of transport, look no further.
9. Kyoto Samurai Experience
Samurai evoke images of strength and nobility, and they are a classic symbol of Japanese culture. Warriors of premodern Japan, they lived following a strict “samurai code” known as bushido. They also had some pretty incredible uniforms and weapons. If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in samurai history and maybe even experience life as a samurai, this is your chance to do so for a couple of hours. Learn the philosophy of bushido, wield a real katana sword and find your inner zen at a meditation session, just like real samurai used to do.
10. Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
If you’ve ever dreamt about donning a kimono, this dream is about to come true if you sign up for this authentic tea ceremony where you will participate in wearing the traditional Japanese piece of clothing. Slowing down from the fast pace of everyday life while preparing and drinking matcha green tea is a Japanese tradition that goes back to the 1500s. Kyoto is famous for matcha and one of the best places in Japan to practice the art of tea ceremony. This is a rich cultural experience with plenty of great photo opportunities, allowing you to treasure your Japan trip for many years to come.
We hope these tours have piqued your interest in Kyoto and given you an inspiration to dive deeper into this cultural hotspot – which tour was your favorite? On foot, bicycle or rickshaw, you can see, taste and experience authentic Japanese life. There is something for everyone in Kyoto, day and night, and you’ll quickly understand why this ancient capital remains a treasure, loved by locals and visitors alike.
Book a Kimono in Kyoto: here
Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Kyoto
When you are visiting Kyoto and you need some help organizing your trip, you came to the right place. We’re happy to help you make your trip to Kyoto the best trip ever. We can advise you on where to go or even better, show you around with a local, English speaking guide. Let us help you create safe, comfortable, and unforgettable memories in Kyoto!
▶Kyoto 8h Private Custom Highlight Tour with Licensed Guide
On this full-day private tour of Kyoto, you will be able to see the highlights of Kyoto in just one day and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of both the culture of the area and Japan as a whole.
▶Meet a Geisha in Kyoto: Guided Walk in Gion and Enchanted Time with Maiko
Meet a Maiko, a geisha in Kyoto, and enjoy a walking tour in Gion, the geisha district. See an authentic Japanese tradition unfold before your eyes that has existed for hundreds of years. You’ll have chance to take a photo with Geisha!
▶Explore Nishiki Market: Food & Culture Walk
If you’re looking to learn more about the culture and the local cuisine of Kyoto, this is the perfect tour for you! Take part in this Kyoto food and drink tour and explore the 400-year-old market and the famous surrounding areas.
▶Kimono Experience
Kyoto is the best city to explore in kimono, Japanese traditional clothing. You can choose the one you like the most from several patterns and colors at the rental shop. In Kyoto, two locations are both accessible from the main tourist attractions which makes it easy to try it on and explore the city for a day!
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Happy traveling!
