Kyoto Tours

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

This guided tour helps you discover lots of Kyoto’s dispersed temples, shrines, and cultural attractions in one day. Save time researching and planning your trip, by having the itinerary organized for you. Travel in an air-conditioned coach for a hassle-free day. Highlights include Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Tenryuji Temple.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this 1- or 2-hour class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Take the 1-hour session, providing an introduction to the basics of the samurai art, or choose the 1.5-hour course, practicing more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion.  This samurai session also includes an English-speaking guide and instructor and a 'tenugui,' a traditional Japanese towel.

This is a virtual tour using Zoom, online conference system. This unique 1h tour brings you to one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Japan, Kyoto. Two friendly hosts will make your experience more interactive. We use not only photos or videos but also handmade materials or actual goods from guides' living room, that makes you feel livelier. You can ask them anything about Japan, Kyoto and other popular tourists spots by chat or by talk session after the tour. This tour will provide helpful hints for your future trip to Japan. PLEASE NOTE the tour time is Japan standard time. Make adjustment to your time when booking. We'll send you Zoom URL invitation a few hours before the 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.

Ramen is one of Japan’s most popular dishes—a noodle and broth soup, topped with various meat or vegetable combinations. On this tour, learn how to make ramen from scratch at a local ramen factory, including making the noodles, mixing the soup, and adding the toppings. Finish by enjoying your delicious bowl of home-cooked ramen. The factory is also Halal-certified and vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.

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.

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.

Ramen is one of the world’s most popular meals, but few people have mastered the art of home-cooked noodles. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to prepare the perfect bowl of soupy ramen, from blending ingredients to cutting the noodles using hand-forged Japanese knives. After you’ve mastered the basics, sample your freshly prepared meal, along with ginger chicken and salad. Workshops include a complimentary craft cocktail.

Discover the historic environs of Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as you explore Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park on this excursion from Kyoto. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and home to the country’s largest Buddha statue, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deer. Your Nara excursion also includes pickup from select Kyoto hotels, a guide and all entrance fees.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Fans of samurai and ninja history won’t want to miss wielding a real katana sword while in Kyoto. From the Heian period through the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate, samurai and ninja roamed Kyoto’s streets. Get an immersive tour of these heroes’ history as a professional guide leads you through the Samurai and Ninja Museum. Your hands-on experience includes wearing samurai armor, wielding katana and ninja stars, and posing with replica swords.

Osaka is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of Japan. Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto with ease on a hassle-free day trip from Osaka, the ideal choice for first-time visitors with limited time. You’ll experience a romantic train ride to Sagano, home to Arashiyama Park, and tick off the vivid Fushimi Inari Shrine without the hassle of traveling between landmarks alone.

Kyoto's bamboo forest is one of the city's most visited sites but you can avoid the crowds by joining the early morning bicycle tour. Enjoy the forest and temples at their most serene and also venture to a few off-the-beaten-path spots nearby.

Discover the culture behind ‘Izakaya’ Japanese dining which is similar to pub food in the other countries during a 3 to 3.5-hour cooking class with dinner in Kyoto. Learn five or six of the popular home dishes during a session with a master chef before preparing and eating your own izakaya-style creations. It’s the perfect chance to explore the country’s cuisine beyond the typical sushi and teriyaki offerings. Your izakaya cooking session also includes all ingredients, an instructor and an apron.

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.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony Workshop, theory and practice, is conducted by licensed tea masters and is unique in Kyoto. It is set in the Grand Tea Room inside the Jotokuji Temple just 3 minutes walk from Gojo station, or 15 minutes walk from Kyoto station. The ceremony starts with a tour of the Temple followed by the explanation of the history and cultural importance of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. It is educational and enable you to understand the modesty of the Japanese character. The artistic ceremony is performed by the licensed Tea Master and many visitors refer to it as mesmerising. You will then practice the making of the matcha tea by yourself under the guidance of the Tea Master. You will receive a souvenir certificate of attendance after about two weeks.

In this tour, I will capture the best moments of your trip in Kyoto. The tour route is Hanami-koji⇒Yasuikonpira Shrine⇒Ishibekoji⇒Maruyama park. The main reason why you should choose this tour is that I'm not only good at taking beautiful photos of you, but also I'm very familiar to these area so I will take you to the hidden and secret spots that are less crowd, and do photo session there. I'm very good at taking photos of solo-portrait, couple, honeymoon and family. I will take photos of you one by one, group by group. So I would like you to wait for minutes while I take photos for another group. I will suggest spots, poses, and angles. But you can also tell me your preference. After tour, I will send the photos by data via Email on the SAME DAY or NEXT DAY of the tour. In addition, I will also tell you about local culture, good spots for food and fun, and some tips that help you enjoy Japan more. I will really do my best to capture the beautiful moment of you into the photography.

I will take you to photogenic places in central Kyoto area! If you are looking for Kimono shoot, I can recommend you a few places so please let me know. We meet up and start shooting while I walk you through the area and create your awesome memories of Kyoto. *I do night portrait sessions as well, please let me know if you are interested in doing the shoot at night. What You Will Get: ・1 and half hour shooting time ・About 50 professionally retouched images (*Digital files only. Delivered by Dropbox/Google Drive etc.) I will deliver the images through an online platform within 4 days. Please feel free to contact me before you book if you have any questions! Looking forward to creating awesome Kyoto experiences of yours!

For those short on time and high on energy, join us for a one day all-you-can-Kyoto bike tour! Experience the tranquility of one of world's largest wooden buildings, learn about the history of Kyoto at the Imperial Palace Park, reflect on life at the stunning Golden Pavilion, enjoy a traditional sit-down lunch, capture the essence of Kyoto in the Gion geisha district and discover the majesty of the mighty Fushimi Shrine. Our shop is a 2 minute walk from Kyoto central station, our groups are small, our bikes are top quality 'Giant' hybrids, and our guides are relaxed, bilingual, experienced and safe! Sit back and let Cycle Kyoto show you around town!

Explore the intricate temples and serene gardens of Kyoto on this 4-hour guided tour visiting some of the imperial city’s most important religious and cultural sites. Check out Sanjusangendo Temple, the longest wooden structure in Japan and home more than 1000 Kannon statues, Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of the god Inari and the supreme views afforded from Kiyomizu Temple high above Kyoto. This excursion to Kyoto’s top temples also includes all entrance fees.

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.

1. We are committed in authenticity. While some “Samurai” attractions tend to be mere entertainment, we commit ourselves to authenticity in all teachings in history and technical instruction. Even so, this workshop is designed for total beginners to thoroughly enjoy. 2. Every instructor is a Dan (Black Belt) achiever who regularly practices Kendo. All technical instructions are accurate to the Japan Kendo Federation instruction. 3. The main venue is the Hall of Fame. The Butokuden Dojo, built in 1899, is the most respected Kendo Dojo in the world. It was recognized as the nation’s cultural asset in 1996. 4. We have a story to tell. The instructor, Tomoyoshi, a great-grandson of the Hikone clan Samurai who fought in the “SEINAN WAR” (1877) as a “BATTOTAI" (Sword Corps) soldier. This historic incident inspired Hollywood to create the movie called "The Last Samurai”(2003).