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Kyoto: 2.5-Hour Private Nijo Castle & Imperial Palace Tour
Kyoto's two greatest power centers sit minutes apart, yet most travelers visit one without ever understanding how they shaped each other. This private tour tells the complete story — from the Shogun's calculated display of dominance in 1603 to the dramatic moment power was surrendered back to the Emperor in 1867.
✨Stand inside Ninomaru Palace on the famous nightingale floors, engineered to catch assassins
✨Discover how Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace defined 265 years of Japanese history
✨Enjoy an unhurried private experience with a Kyoto local as your guide
✨Walk the imperial gardens where the shogunate finally came to an end
Duration: 2 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Craft Your Own Ninja Weapon with Shōgun Mask Workshop in Kyoto
Step into the world of ninja craftsmanship in Kyoto and forge your own authentic ninja weapon using traditional Japanese tin casting techniques. In this immersive workshop, you will melt, cast, cool, and finish real metal under the guidance of experienced craftsmen. It offers a rare chance to work hands-on with time-honored methods used in Japanese metalwork.
This Experience is designed to be approachable for beginners and families alike, allowing participants to enjoy the magic of crafting without any prior skills.
Children age 5 and above are welcome to participate. The experienced staff provide full step-by-step support through the entire process, ensuring that both kids and adults can comfortably enjoy the activity, and safely experience the excitement of the melting and molding process.
Whether you are visiting with family, friends,or as a couple, this activity offers a memorable way to create something meaningful with your own hands.
Duration: 2 hours
- Free cancellation
Kyoto Gion Night Walk & Foodie Tour: 10+ Tastings in Small Group
When the lanterns flicker on, Kyoto shows its most beautiful side. On this small-group evening food tour, a local guide leads you off the tourist trail through the historic Gion district and the narrow alleys of Ponto-chō — past wooden townhouses, teahouses, and the Kamo River.
Along the way, you'll stop at two authentic izakaya — small local spots where mostly regulars go. Across 10+ tastings, you'll work your way through classic dishes like yakitori, seasonal specialties, and local flavors, paired with sake, beer, or soft drinks.
Your guide shares stories about Kyoto's food culture, the geisha traditions of Gion, and modern life in the city. Perfect for first-time visitors and food lovers alike — relaxed, fun, and delicious. Guide available in English, French, and German.
Duration: 3 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Kyoto: The 10 Tastings
Eat your way through Kyoto's culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved by the locals: from savory to sweet and local drinks; this tour will leave every foodie satisfied!
Enjoy tastings typical of the local cuisine and hand-picked by a local guide passionate about food like Gyozas and Japanese pepper ice cream. But that's not it! This tour is more than just food; it's a cultural experience! In between food stops, you'll also find city highlights making this experience a well-rounded tour that will satisfy every foodie.
Withlocals The 10 Tastings Private Food Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard
Duration: 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyomai Dance by Maiko Geiko and Visits of Gion Art Museum Kyoto
An invitation to the graceful world of geiko and maiko in Gion woven over three centuries
The Gion Kobu quarter of Kyoto’s Kagai district embodies a centuries-old history. Although times have changed, ancient traditions continue to be passed down with great care. The Gion Kagai Art Museum, established in historic Gion-machi, is the only facility in the world where visitors can discover the sophisticated culture of geiko and maiko. Experience the pride of Kyoto’s Kagai culture and the spirit of our predecessors.
-Performance time is approximately 15 minutes (2 songs).
-Kyomai dance performances are usually performed by 1 maiko or geiko. On some days, the 3rd and 4th sessions may be performed by 2.
-If you cannot find available ticket here, Please visit our website.
In the Kagai districts of Kyoto, women who perform traditional dance in ozashiki banquet rooms and on stage and entertain guests are referred to as geiko (and not geisha). Women training to become geiko are called maiko.
Duration: 20 min
- Free cancellation
Kyoto top must-see Golden pavilion and Bamboo forest half-day Private tour
This tour is best for first-time visitors to Kyoto. You will visit popular must-see tourist attractions such as Golden Pavilion, bamboo groves, and Tenryuji Temple with its wonderful World Heritage garden.
We will also take you to hidden jem, meaning the temple of heaven, which is a relatively quiet and beautiful temple.
You can enjoy popular sightseeing spots in a comfortable and efficient manner by cab.
The tour ends in the Arashiyama area.
After the tour, the guide will give you directions to other must-see places such as movie studios, Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, etc. If you are new to Kyoto, please join this tour and get an outline of Kyoto sightseeing.
Duration: 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyoto Half Day Highlights Tour
Join ME Kyoto Walking Tours for an unforgettable journey through Kyoto’s most iconic and historic sites. Begin with a stroll through the atmospheric Gion district, where traditional teahouses and geisha culture come alive. Visit the serene Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, famous for its unique “power stone” and meaningful rituals. Admire the striking five-story pagoda of Hokanji Temple before wandering the charming stone-paved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. Explore the breathtaking Kiyomizudera Temple with its famous wooden terrace overlooking the city, then finish your tour walking through the vibrant tunnels of thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. With small groups and expert guides, you’ll uncover the rich stories and hidden gems that make Kyoto truly magical.
Duration: 3 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
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Kyoto Private 10H Customizable Highlights Tour
Explore Kyoto comfortably on a private 10-hour vehicle tour designed for first-time visitors, families, and private groups who want to connect the city’s major highlights without relying on public transportation.
The default route is: Kyoto pickup → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge → Kinkaku-ji → Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka → Gion and Hanamikoji → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Kyoto drop-off.
The itinerary can be customized when requested at least 24 hours before departure. If no request is received, the default route will be used. Actual stop order and visiting time may change due to traffic, parking, weather, opening hours, and pickup location.
The 6- and 9-guest options include an English-speaking driver-guide who provides driving, route communication, and basic sightseeing assistance but is not a licensed professional guide. Larger vehicle options provide vehicle and driver only.
Admission tickets, meals, drinks, and personal expenses are not included.
Duration: 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyoto Gion Private Tour with a Local Guide – Geisha District
Gion is one of Kyoto’s most culturally significant districts, shaped by long-standing traditions, preserved architecture, and a distinct sense of place. With a local host, you will gain a clearer understanding of the customs, etiquette, and daily life that define the area. This experience focuses on context and cultural insight rather than surface-level observation.
Your experience is fully personalized, shaped around your interests, pace, and curiosity. Whether you are interested in history, cultural traditions, architecture, or everyday Kyoto life, your host will design a route that reflects what matters most to you and adapt it as you explore together.
Before you meet, you'll receive a short Personalization Form so we can tailor the experience to your interests and pair you with a local guide. The true luxury is having their expertise and undivided attention, with the flexibility to explore at your own pace and focus on what interests you most.
Duration: 2–3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyoto Day Tour Arashiyama Scenic Train and Hozugawa River Cruise
Discover the beauty of Kyoto on a day tour that includes a visit to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, the serene Tenryu-ji Temple, and the enchanting Bamboo Path. Enjoy breathtaking canyon views aboard the Sagano Romantic Train before experiencing a tranquil Hozugawa River Cruise. This tour provides a perfect blend of culture and nature, allowing you to explore hidden gems and popular sites with an expert guide. Choose your pick-up from Osaka or Kyoto, and enjoy a seamless journey through Japan’s historical heart.
- Explore the UNESCO-listed Tenryu-ji Temple and its beautiful gardens
- Ride the Sagano Romantic Train for stunning canyon vistas
- Drift along the Hozugawa River on traditional wooden boats
- Guided tour in multiple languages with pick-up options from Osaka or Kyoto
Duration: 10 hours
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
Kyoto: Paint Your Own Ramen Spoon & Michelin Ramen Class
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!
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike: Private Tour
Ready for a bike ride like no other? Hop in; you are about to discover Kyoto on a bike tour with a local guide.
On this Kyoto bike tour, cycle through picturesque streets and scenic roads as you check out the main spots around town. Pass by the Philosopher's path, and Gion Area, and make stops along the way to hear fascinating stories about Kyoto.
Your local guide is a bike pro and will make this private tour an easy-going ride for you. So, if you are looking for a fun, healthy, and sustainable way to move around Kyoto, this bike tour ticks all the boxes!
Withlocals City Bike Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and preventing over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
Duration: 2 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyoto : Okada Tea Ceremony & Kimono
Choose your kimono and get dressed with simple hairstyling (1–1.5 hrs)
Join a 1-hour tea ceremony: learn tea culture, enjoy matcha & sweets
Keep the kimono until 6:00 PM to explore and stroll nearby
A memorable way to enjoy Japanese tradition.
Duration: 2 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
Kyoto Kintsugi Gold Repair Pottery Class
Discover the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi in this hands-on workshop in Kyoto. Kintsugi is the practice of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold, embracing imperfections and giving new life to damaged pieces.
In this beginner-friendly experience, you will learn the basic techniques of kintsugi while creating your own unique piece. All steps are carefully guided, making it easy to join even without prior experience.
A standard pottery piece is included, and guests can also upgrade to a wide selection of unique plates and bowls for an additional fee. The variety allows you to choose a piece that matches your personal style, making your final creation even more special.
During the workshop, your guide will also introduce the philosophy behind kintsugi, including the idea of finding beauty in imperfection, making the experience both creative and meaningful.
At the end of the session, you will take home your repaired piece as a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Japan.
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
Scenic Green Tea Fields of Hidden Kyoto & Local Tea Exp (Private)
Journey into the "Otherworldly" landscapes of Kyoto’s hidden tea country. This private tour takes you to Wazuka, the magical village supplying the finest Uji Matcha
Highlights:
Magical Views Year-Round: Marvel at the famous "Green tea fields reaching to the sky." The manicured, geometric evergreen waves are breathtakingly photogenic in every season—stunningly serene and vivid even in winter!
Authentic Tea: Visit local farmer-supplied cafes to taste Japan’s No.1 awarded tea and rich matcha desserts. Enjoy shopping for premium tea at 1/2 to 1/3 of city prices
Time Travel: Explore the iconic Byodoin Phoenix Hall, 1,000-year-old architecture survived centuries of war to represent the "Buddhist Pure Land (Paradise)" on Earth. Discover how monks, samurai, and even ninjas shaped tea culture while visiting hidden gems left from ancient monks
Ride in Style: Wide area pickup options from 2 big cities, comfortable van for groups or an open-air convertible Mini Cooper for solo travelers
Duration: 5 hr 30 min
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
The Art of Geisha Exclusive Show and Gion Walking Tour
Join the tour to explore the Gion district and witness a captivating Geisha show performed by a Maiko, Geisha Apprentice. You will have the time to ask questions, play a traditional Japanese game with the Geisha Apprentice.
Children under the age of 6 cannot join the tour
Meeting Point: Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni
Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
When booking, please provide a phone number reachable during your stay in Japan and on WhatsApp. If you are a travel agent please enter the guest’s number, not the agency’s. This is so we can have a smooth interaction with guests before the tour, and provide clear information beforehand.
Duration: 1–2 hours
- Free cancellation
Private Customized Kyoto Tour with Expert Guide For Family
Experience Kyoto Your Way – Private, Family-Friendly & Unforgettable
This isn’t a typical group tour with strangers and rigid schedules. This is your family’s private Kyoto adventure, crafted for travelers who want space, flexibility, and memories that truly belong to them.
Walk hand in hand through Kyoto’s iconic spots and hidden gems — from the endless red gates of Fushimi Inari to the golden brilliance of Kinkaku-ji and the magical bamboo forests of Arashiyama. Children won’t just watch history; they’ll experience it — running through bamboo groves, tasting local sweets in old stone streets, and hearing captivating stories from a friendly local guide who knows Kyoto inside out.
Perfect for families, couples, or small groups who prefer one‑group‑only experiences over crowded buses and tourist traps. With no strangers, no rush, and plenty of time for photos and fun, this tour lets you discover Kyoto exactly as you imagined — safe, personal, and unforgettable.
Duration: 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Kyoto Hop-On Hop-off sightseeing Tour
Discover the best of Kyoto with the SKY HOP BUS Kyoto Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, the easiest and most flexible way to explore Japan's ancient capital. Travel aboard a comfortable open-top double-decker bus and enjoy panoramic city views while visiting Kyoto's top attractions at your own pace. Hop on and off at conveniently located stops near Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Heian Shrine, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Kyoto Tower, Kyoto Railway Museum, and more. With 1-day or 2-day tickets, multilingual audio commentary, free onboard Wi-Fi, and easy access to Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic temples, traditional districts, shopping areas, and cultural attractions, this sightseeing bus is the perfect way to experience the city. Book your Kyoto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour today for a memorable sightseeing adventure.
Duration: 1 hour – 1 hr 8 min
- Free cancellation
Private Ramen or Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto with Chef Midori
Join Midori in her cooking studio for a traditional Japanese cooking lesson. You can choose one of the five set menus she offers. Midori teaches you Japanese dishes with simple and easy recipes that can be easily reproduced at home. You will watch Midori prepare local dishes using seasonal and traditional ingredients.
- Japanese cooking class in Kyoto with a local
- Learn to cook traditional Japanese dishes from scratch
- Discover Japanese ingredients and cooking styles
- Get insight into Kyoto's best restaurants and shopping recommendations
- A fun and relaxing, cultural and culinary experience
Duration: 2 hr 30 min
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Nara Todaiji Kasuga Taisha Private Full Day Tour From Kyoto
Go on a full-day adventure to the charming city of Nara, just a train ride away from Kyoto
Learn about the cultural and historical landmarks from your friendly guide
See the friendly, free-roaming deer in Nara Park
Visit Todaiji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the awe-inspiring Great Buddha
Take in the picturesque scenery at Kasuga Taisha shrine
Stroll along the streets of Naramachi and see well-preserved traditional merchant houses
Duration: 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
Let's make only one original onigawara in the world
Hi everyone♪
Welcome to Kyoto
Do you know ONIGAWARA?it is on the rooftop of Japanese temples and old house's
It's a talisman with a scary face. It has a history of about 1378 to 1400 years.
Although it looks difficult, we have developed a method that makes it easy to make.
Anyone can easily make it
Everything is handmade from lumps of soil.
Would you like to create your own original souvenirs and memories?
Small classes in a homey workshop
It will be delivered to your home and you can talk about your memories again.
Turn your original ONIs and memories into wall decorations or ornaments.
it will surely protect you
Thank you
Duration: 2 hours
- Free cancellation
Kyoto Fushimi Tour with Canal Boat Ride and Sake Tasting
Ride a recreation of the canal boat, once used to transport the barrels of Sake and Rice between Osaka and Kyoto Fushimi during the Edo period.
Drift along the serene river while admiring the picturesque sake breweries that line the bank.
A visit to the Gekkeikan Museum enriches your experience with insights into the local sake culture, followed by a delightful tasting of sake, giving you a true taste of tradition.
- Cruise on the historic canal boat while enjoying scenic views
- Discover the history and culture of sake at the Gekkeikan Museum
- Experience a tasting of authentic sake
Perfect for culture enthusiasts and sake lovers alike
Explore the rich history of Japanese sake on this unique tour.
Duration: 3 hours
- Free cancellation
Tattoo-Friendly Kurama Onsen Cultural Guided Tour
Join us for an authentic journey into Japanese bathing culture, surrounded by the natural beauty of Kyoto’s Mt. Kurama.
Japanese bathing has a deep history and a refined set of customs.
“What is the proper way to bathe?”
“What etiquette should I follow?”
Our bathing specialist will guide you gently and clearly through everything you need to know.
You will also experience outdoor air-bathing, where you lie down and let the cool mountain air relax both your mind and body. Before entering the baths, you’ll change into a traditional yukata, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring retreat.
Before the bathing session begins, you can also enjoy a recommended matcha drink, a perfect way to start your wellness experience.
After bathing, enjoy a carefully prepared bowl of udon, warming you from within and leaving you relaxed and satisfied.
Soak in warm water surrounded by Kurama’s quiet mountains—deeply soothing for both body and mind.
Duration: 2 hours
- Free cancellation
Kyoto Gion Walk with Local: Culture & Geisha World
Discover the Real Gion, Beyond the Postcards
Gion is much more than Kyoto’s famous geisha district. Behind its traditional streets, historic temples, and beautiful architecture lies a fascinating world of culture, history, and traditions that most visitors walk past without truly understanding.
At Kansai Navi, we believe the best way to discover a place is to understand its stories.
Join our passionate local guides for a relaxed and engaging walk through Gion and the surrounding historic neighborhoods. Along the way, discover the fascinating world of geisha, the meaning behind Japanese customs, the influence of Shintoism and Buddhism, and stories that have shaped Kyoto over the centuries.
Expect interesting facts, surprising discoveries, cultural insights, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and take photographs.
Our goal isn’t simply to show you beautiful places but to help you understand what makes them special.
Come curious, leave with a deeper understanding of Kyoto.
Duration: 2 hours
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation