Tours in Kyoto

The ideal pick for time-tight travelers that want to enjoy Kyoto. Avoid the potential confusion of Kyoto’s subway and bus systems; travel comfortably in a private vehicle instead! On this tour, some of the destinations you can choose to visit include the glittering Golden Temple, the architectural masterpiece that is Kiyomizu temple in the Gion Geisha district, and Arashiyama with its towering bamboo forest. You will have the freedom to explore each area on your own as the driver waits to accompany you safely to your next destination. We hope to see you in Kyoto soon! Tour details may change depending on your meeting point. This tour does not include a private guide. Please book one of our guided tours if you need a guide.

These tours go beyond sightseeing—they’re immersive experiences filled with history, culture, and hidden gems. I bring stories to life, making every destination more meaningful and engaging. Safety and comfort are my top priorities. As a skilled driver and tour guide, I ensure smooth, stress-free journeys, allowing guests to relax and fully enjoy their adventure. Every tour is personalized, creating unique and unforgettable moments. Whether it's exploring iconic landmarks or discovering off-the-beaten-path treasures, I make sure each trip is special, memorable, and one of a kind.

Join a MagicalTrip tour, proud winner of Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Award, led by a professionally trained MagicalTrip Certified Guide. Start your day with a peaceful stroll through Kyoto’s historic Gion district, efficiently exploring hidden gems with your local guide. Then head to Nishiki Market, the “Kitchen of Kyoto,” a lively spot with over 400 years of history. Savor 7 delicious tastings of local favorites, from long-loved street snacks to unique Kyoto specialties, while hearing fascinating stories you won’t find in any guidebook. With expert guidance, you’ll discover more in less time and enjoy an authentic taste of the city, all while our support team ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.

Join us for a fun and scenic bike ride through Kyoto’s stunning landscapes, historic sites, and charming streetscapes. This tour offers the perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and classic Kyoto charm. Imagine yourself embarking on a delightful bike tour through the heart of Kyoto, where ancient traditions and natural beauty blend seamlessly. Feel the joy as you pedal your way to serene zen gardens, finding peaceful havens perfect for a moment of reflection. And all with the ease of an E-bike, these fun little bikes that give you a boost up the gentle hills that surround the city. For group tours, you can choose between the East Side course which visits the Ginkakuji Temple, with its stunning zen gardens, the Heian shrine with an incredible garden and the amazing Philosopher's Path (3.5hrs) Or be more adventurous by exploring the West Side with visits to the top hitters, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, The Golden Pavilion and the amazing Ryoanji Rock Garden (6hrs).

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 2 to 3 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!

Uncover the little-known sake culture of Fushimi, Kyoto on a 90 min sake tasting and food pairing session with a certified Sake Sommelier.  Enjoy the samples of different types of sake, and learn about different varieties of sake with the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group activity.  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 this experience, you will know which type of sake you like, and you will be able to select your favorite sake from labels or restaurant menus even if they are all written in Japanese.

Geisha traditions are traced to the spiritual center of Kyoto, where they were specified as geiko and maiko. Such a lovely tradition can hardly ever be enjoyed privately. From centuries ago, geiko and maiko parties have been given privately only for limited members of society. This tour makes it possible for visitors to truly experience the essence of geiko and maiko in an authentic manner. During the event, English-speaking guides will escort you around the geiko and maiko district, to be followed by a dinner or party arrangement lasting two hours. Since geiko or maiko are privately arranged only for your group, you will have the chance to fully exchange conversations with them and hear their stories which would normally not be told to the public.

Embark on a journey through time in Kyoto, Nara and Uji, where tradition blends harmoniously with modernity. In Nara Park, encounter the free-roaming deer that charmingly bow to you in hopes of a treat and visit the impressive Todai-ji Temple. Explore the magnificent torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and discover the city of Uji, renowned for its green tea production. Stroll along the cobblestone path of Byodo-in Omotesando, a paradise for matcha green tea lovers. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Byodo-in Temple, which features its Phoenix Hall built in 1053-highlighted on the obverse side of the 10 yen coin. Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, experience a magical fusion of nature and history with our friendly and professional guide.

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

Become truly immersed in traditional Japanese culture as you and your party members will enjoy the entire 300-year old historic property to yourselves. We serve organic matcha locally sourced from Kyoto, Uji in a traditional tea room. Enter into this space separate from the rush of life and truly experience the serenity of tea ceremony. Adorn an authentic silk wedding Kimono or wield a Samurai Katana to commemorate your visit to Kyoto! You are welcome to take photos during your visit. You can even bring the experience home with you as we offer a large array of Matcha Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl) and authentic silk Kimono for purchase. An experience like no other being the only Samurai house in Kyoto with such offerings. We are able to offer this traditional space and still be very conveniently located only an 8 minute walk from Kyoto station, making this experience a seamless addition to your time in 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.

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. 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.

Authentic Dojo Environment in a Convenient Location: Train in a traditional dojo setting that transports you back in time, all while being easily accessible from the heart of the city. Free History Tour at the Samurai & Ninja Museum Included: Enhance your experience with a complimentary tour that delves into the rich history of the Samurai. Explore authentic Samurai armor and sword exhibits. Ninja Star Throw Experience: Enjoy an additional thrill with a free Ninja star throwing session. Test your aim and add an extra layer of excitement to your day. Expert Instruction from Local Masters: Learn from locals who are not only deeply knowledgeable about Samurai culture and history but also exceptionally polite and welcoming. Their passion and expertise make the experience truly unforgettable. ！Children under 11 can not enter the samurai venue.！ ！There will be up to 22 guests per session !

Visit Kyoto’s top five sights before the crowds arrive! Explore the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, enjoy breathtaking views from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and stroll through the geisha districts of Gion. Your English-speaking local guide will share Kyoto’s rich history and culture while capturing beautiful photos for lasting memories. Perfect for travelers wanting to experience Kyoto’s highlights efficiently!

This is the only ramen workshop in Kyoto run by a ramen restaurant, and our classes have many vegetarian and vegan customers. You will paint your Ramen spoons on the second floor of the restaurant. The ramen bowls and ramen spoons will be baked in a special kiln overnight for free. You can actually take the bowls home and use them. You can also display them at home. After that, you will cook Michelin-starred ramen under the guidance of a chef in the professional kitchen on the first floor. All the ingredients prepared by the chef are brought in from nearby Musoushin Ramen. Finally, you will eat the delicious ramen that you cooked yourself. Michelin-starred ramen that you cooked yourself is the best!

In end your trip the easy way with this departure transfer by Private taxi type charter transfer. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in  Kyoto city to Kansai International Airport. And also your driver will choose the right way to go to the Kansai international airport to make sure the customer will get to the airport on time. We will completely disinfect the vehicle and places a free hand sanitizer on all the seats. Your driver will keep an appropriate distance with you who will assist with luggage and guide you to your vehicle will give you a comfortable, safety, health ride.

Embark on a half-day tour of Nara’s rich heritage. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and interact with the sacred wild deer of Nara Park, believed to be divine messengers for over 1,200 years. Your tour starts with Kofuku-ji Temple, known for its five-story pagoda, then continues to Todai-ji Temple, where you’ll see the awe-inspiring Great Buddha statue. Your guide will share stories about these historic sites and Japanese Buddhism. Next, enjoy panoramic views from Nigetsu-do Temple, and walk to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its lanterns and deer. After exploring Nara Park, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. End the tour with a visit to a traditional old town, contrasting modern Tokyo, and see a merchant’s house to experience Nara’s past. This tour offers a unique mix of culture, nature, and history in Nara.

Experience western Japan on this day trip through Kyoto and Nara. Explore the serene nature of Arashiyama, stroll the gardens of Kyoto's UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji, and enjoy feeding deer in Nara Park. ・Visit the gorgeous golden Kinkaku-ji and its immaculate original gardens ・Explore the serene bamboo grove of Arashiyama ・Walk through Nara Park and feed the wild deer ・See the Great Buddha Statue at Todaiji temple

・Combine multiple integral aspects of Japanese culture at once. ・Experience a traditional tea ceremony in an authentic setting. ・Wear a beautiful kimono to elevate your cultural journey. ・Small group experience limited to ten people for personalized attention. This immersive cultural tour in Kyoto offers you the chance to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, complete with kimono dressing and optional calligraphy lessons. Perfect for those seeking a deeper connection with Japan’s heritage, the experience is ideal for culture enthusiasts and families. Guests will don a beautifully selected kimono, receive complimentary hair styling, and learn the graceful art of matcha preparation. The tour also includes pairing matcha with exquisite sweets from a century-old confectionery. For an added layer of tradition, participants can opt to learn Japanese calligraphy and create a personal souvenir.

Our studio is a traditional building has a history over 100 years in Kyoto, which is called Machiya in Japanese. You can experience making real weapons used by real ninjas. We will sharpen weapons and tempering the iron weapon, to make high quality steel weapons.

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

In this class, you will experience making home-style ramen and homemade gyoza from scratch using simple ingredients in a home environment. Not only will you get to enjoy a fun cultural experience during your Japan trip, but with the skills you learn, you can actually try and cook these dishes once you return home. My guests often tell me that they're surprised how simple it is to make and how delicious the food turns out. After my class, you will hopefully have the confidence to cook some delicious Japanese food for your loved ones at home.

Get an introduction to Kyoto’s renowned cuisine on this small-group guided tour of the city's best food spots. Start at the vast 400-year-old Nishiki Market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' where hundreds of food shops and stalls beckon. Stroll through the market with your guide, learning about Kyoto’s culinary history and sampling dishes unique to Kyoto. ・Spend time wandering around Nishiki Market, home to 130 food stalls ・Enjoy 5 carefully selected local specialties like tofu skin, WAGYU steak skewers, and Hamo tempura ・Get insider knowledge from a local Guide

In the birthplace of maiko, Gion, stroll through the traditional streets of Kyoto while learning about the maiko culture from a local guide. After gathering at Gion Shijo Station, the tour will involve walking through the beautiful traditional machiya architecture and streets of Gion, the birthplace of maiko. A local guide will provide explanations about the origins and history of maiko while exploring the area. The guide will offer insights into the secrets and charms of maiko that even first-time Japanese visitors might not experience without guidance.