Kyoto: Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knife Finishing Workshop
This activity offers an immersive cultural experience that goes beyond sightseeing by allowing guests to actively participate in Japanese craftsmanship. Instead of simply viewing finished products, participants gain insider insight into how Japanese kitchen tools are designed for long-term use and everyday cooking.
The hands-on format creates a deeper connection to the craft, making the experience both educational and memorable. Taking home a finished knife adds lasting value, as the skills and understanding gained during the workshop can be appreciated each time the knife is used.
This experience is ideal for curious travelers, food lovers, creative visitors, and those interested in Japanese culture and design. It is also well suited for couples, solo travelers, and small groups looking for a unique, meaningful activity in Kyoto that combines learning, creativity, and tradition in a relaxed setting.
Kyoto Kintsugi Making Traditional Workshop
Uncover the beauty of imperfection in a Kintsugi workshop nestled in Central Kyoto. This hands-on experience invites you to transform broken ceramics into art using traditional urushi lacquer and real gold powder. Guided by an expert instructor, you’ll repair a ceramic bowl or plate, learning the significance of Kintsugi as you trace golden lines that celebrate each flaw. As you engage in this ancient craft, explore its rich history and the philosophy behind embracing life's imperfections. Leave with a unique piece of art, a personal testament to resilience and beauty that captures your Kyoto adventure.
Kyoto Private Customizable Day Trip With English chauffeur
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.
Enjoy Kyoto in Style with a Minivan & Guide!
Enjoy Kyoto, whatever the season, with a nice comfortable minivan & an experienced, interesting guide. You'll be taken to the 3 most popular spots in Kyoto city, easily & without wasting time waiting for crowded buses or trains! Of course we can change the tour destinations according to your wishes!
Bamboo LED Lantern Making Experience in Kyoto Arashiyama
This is a very unique activity where you can actually learn how to make bamboo crafts. You can design and make your own bamboo craft such as LED lantern, smartphone holder, flower base, sake bottle, sake cup, tea cup…at your own ideas! No worries if you have no experience, we will instruct you in detail how to cut and use tools to make bamboo crafts. The workshop locates in a bamboo craftsman’s house with all the equipments needed.
Sekka Cotton Furoshiki Class
Travelers can see and learn shibori (the oldest dyeing method in Japan) and will have deeper appreciation of Japanese hand crafts.
Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour
[Highlights]
・Chance to Spot a Geisha
・Visit a 1,000-Year-Old Shrine
・See Edo-Period Townhouses
・Explore quiet lanes and hidden gems
・Get Local Tips & Recommendations
We begin at Gion Shirakawa, a scenic riverside lined with willow trees, traditional tea houses, and stone-paved paths. After soaking in its beauty, we visit historical shrines and hidden spots, walking through quiet backstreets with few tourists.
Along the way, Edo-period wooden townhouses reveal the charm of old Kyoto.
The tour ends on Hanamikoji Street, the heart of the geisha district, where you may catch a glimpse of a geisha on her way to an evening engagement. Here, you will learn about the strict training of geisha, their graceful dances, and the craftsmanship behind their beautiful kimonos and hairstyles, giving you a glimpse into Gion’s traditional culture.
Kyoto Private Walk: Highlights & Hidden Gems with a Local Friend
Founded by Kiyoto—a local whose name and 40-year life are rooted in this city—our team of energetic guides in their 20-40s brings a fresh vibe to tradition. We aren't just lecturers; we are local friends with a camera-ready eye. Forget dry guidebooks—let’s chat, laugh, and discover the "real" Kyoto together.
Many travelers follow the same map, but we believe the soul of Kyoto hides in the quiet corners just steps away. Don’t miss these local favorites while visiting the famous landmarks:
-Honen-in Temple: A serene sanctuary just minutes from Ginkaku-ji.
-Komyo-in: Known as the "Rainbow Moss Garden," a peaceful escape 10 mins from Fushimi Inari.
-Matsunoo-taisha: Meet the deity of sake at this ancient, water-blessed shrine.
-Mikane Shrine: A golden gateway dedicated to prosperity and fortune.
-Otagi Nenbutsu-ji: Explore 1,200 unique stone statues—a hidden gem near the Bamboo Grove.
We will "season" the journey to fit your pace. Let’s make your Kyoto memories truly special!
Kyoto Geisha & Maiko Dinner: Intimate Cultural Experience in Gion
Go beyond the standard "1-hour viewing Maiko how"!
While many tourists hope to spot a Geisha on the streets of Gion, experiencing a dinner with a Maiko is an incredibly rare privilege.
(In Kyoto, “geisha” is not the usual local term. A young apprentice is called maiko.)
Due to Kyoto's strict "no first-time customers" rule, this world is completely closed off to regular visitors. Through our established local trust, we grant you VIP insider access to this 300-year-old tradition.
1. Exclusive Maiko Experience Chat, drink, and play traditional parlor games (Ozashiki Asobi) with a real Maiko. Watch her perform a mesmerizing dance right before your eyes. Your guide will translate everything seamlessly!
2. Premium Machiya Dinner Dine in a hidden Machiya (traditional townhouse) restaurant. Savor a Kyoto-style seasonal course paired with free-flowing premium drinks and local sake.
3. Gion Night Walk Safely explore the beautifully illuminated, historic streets of Gion with a local expert.
Kyoto Early Bird Walking Tour
Kyoto is the most famous tourist destination in Japan. There are plenty of wonderful sites, but it is always bustling with tourists from all over the world, so it’s hard to enjoy Kyoto's natural beauty quietly and in depth.
Here we offer a luxurious tour that enables you to visit three of the most famous tourist attractions in Kyoto with fewer people in half a day till noon. After this tour there is time for you to spend on other activities.
This tour is a walking tour. Let us remind you that you'll take about 15,000 steps through this tour.
Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular destinations, so sightseeing can be very crowded during the day. In this tour, we start early to beat the crowds and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji, and Arashiyama.
⬇︎ PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ⬇︎
▶️ This is a walking tour that uses public transportation, we will be walking around 12,000 steps in this tour.
▶️ The tour is approximately 5.5 hours and may vary by about 30 minutes.
▶️ When booking, please provide a WhatsApp-reachable phone number (travel agents must enter the guest’s number).
▶️ Late arrivals cannot join the tour and no refund will be given.
▶️ Maximum group size: 8 guests
Please note that strollers are not allowed as there will be a lot of walking and stairs during the tour. Infants are not allowed.
Your Private Vacation Photography Session In Kyoto
This is your private vacation photography session in Kyoto. Kyoto is one of the most popular destination of the vacation trip. The unique culture, delicious food, and fabulous scenery will be waiting for you. You would feel like to capture each the best moments in your trip in Kyoto with your partner or family. Then you can join this photography service. We are all local photographers. So we will not only take beautiful photography of you, but also give you why Kyoto is the best, some history and culture, and tips that help you enjoy Kyoto more.
Explore Hidden Alleyway with a Local Expert (Morning tour)
Step off the beaten path and explore the real Kyoto with a knowledgeable local guide who knows every corner of the city. This 3-hour guided bike tour takes you through quiet backstreets far from the tourist crowds, offering an authentic glimpse into the daily lives of Kyoto’s residents.
As you pedal through narrow alleyways, each twist and turn brings a shift in atmosphere—the scents, the light, the sounds—immersing you in the city’s hidden charm. Then, just as suddenly, you’ll emerge onto a bustling main street, reconnecting with the familiar Kyoto of guidebooks and postcards.
Our guides are professionally trained through our original program, ensuring not only a deep understanding of Kyoto’s culture but also full proficiency in traffic safety, group cycling techniques, and local etiquette. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities.
Join us and experience Kyoto not just as a visitor, but as if you were part of the city itself.
Popular Sushi Making Class in Kyoto【Grand Opening】
This is an activity where even beginners can easily make nigiri sushi.
You will be able to experience making sushi using popular sushi ingredients such as tuna and salmon. It will be a once in a lifetime unique experience where you can learn about Japanese culture through traditional Japanese cuisine.
A sushi chef will carefully teach you how to make sushi.
Once you know how to make it, try making nigiri sushi yourself.
It's a very fun and meaningful experience where you can both experience making sushi and eating delicious sushi.
Please come and experience Japanese culture with us!
Children 3 years old and under are welcome to join for free by sharing a dish with an adult. As we need to prepare a seat in advance, please contact us before your visit if you are bringing a child who is 3 years old and under.
Kyoto Guided Walking Tour: Secret Zen Garden and Fushimi Inari
- Visit deeper in both famous and hidden spiritual sites in one tour.
- Walk through the iconic thousand torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
- Experience an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Zen temple.
- Learn about Zen philosophy, meditation, and traditional garden design.
- Enjoy unique photo spots without the usual crowds.
- Travel in a small group for a calm, intimate experience.
World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience
Discover Nara's must-see landmarks on the deluxe coach tour and try to make Matcha tea at Uji in Kyoto, the birthplace of matcha.
We will drive pass Fushimi Castle and Heijokyo Palace on the way to Nara. We will visit Todaiji Temple, a house of the Great Buddha of Nara and it is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Meet about 1,400 deer at Nara Park, you can even feed them rice crackers. Then we visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine where 3000 magical stone lanterns enlighten you. After lunch, we go to Uji area in Kyoto and try making Uji matcha tea! Spot the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall depicted on the back of the 10-yen coin at Uji.
・Cover Nara's must-see destinations and 3 World Heritages in a day!
・A Professional English-speaking guide leads this tour
・On top of that, multilingual audio guidance is available in EN, FR, IT, ES, DE, PT, UK
・Greet large Buddha at Todaiji Temple
・Enjoy cute deer at Nara Park
・Learn about Authentic tea while making it yourself in Uji, famous for matcha
Kyoto Early Morning E Biking Tour Fushimi Inari Kiyomizu Temple
Ran by @guidemejapan on Instagram. Please check our Instagram for visual examples of our wonderful guides!
Whether you’re only in Kyoto for the morning or want to avoid the crowds of tourists, this early morning cycling tour of the city lets you experience the city at its most tranquil. After your sightseeing session, you will still have much of the afternoon and onwards to explore thanks to your early start. Also, since Kiyomizu-dera Temple is at the end of a long uphill, electric bicycles are very convenient for us to get there.
Morning Zen Meditation & Coffee in a Traditional Kyoto Machiya
・Authentic Zen meditation guided by a Rinzai-trained host
・ ☕ Freshly roasted Indonesian specialty coffee
・ Peaceful traditional Kyoto machiya & small group (max 4 guests)
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery
Experience the timeless charm of Arashiyama on this immersive journey through nature, culture, and tradition.
BAMBOO GROVE
Walk beneath the soaring bamboo of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and visit the sacred Nonomiya Shrine
OKOCHI SANSO GARDEN
Explore the elegant Okochi Sanso Garden, where matcha and other drinks are served, hot or cold, in its former tea house. The drinks are included in the tour.
TENRYUJI TEMPLE
Discover the Zen beauty of Tenryu-ji, Breathtaking zen buddhist temple that belongs to the branch of Rinzai.
Then, choose between OPTION A and OPTION B
OPTION A
Stroll along Arashiyama Shopping Street, grab a snack, admire the colorful Kimono Forest, cross the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, and enjoy panoramic views at Iwatayama Monkey Park.
OPTION B
Go back to the train station for a short ride through the mountain, and go for a lovely lunch among locals with zero tourists. Visit the prestigious Tanzan Brewery, with sake tasting included.
Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Historical Walking Tour
Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto on this immersive walking tour through the historic districts of Gion and Higashiyama. Led by an expert local guide, explore atmospheric lanes lined with traditional wooden machiya houses and uncover the stories behind Kyoto’s geisha culture, Buddhist traditions, and samurai-era history.
Visit landmarks such as Chion-in Temple, Maruyama Park, Yasaka Pagoda, and the preserved Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets. The tour concludes near the iconic Kiyomizu-dera, offering stunning views over the city.
Perfect for first-time visitors, this cultural walking tour brings Kyoto’s rich heritage to life beyond the guidebook.
Full Day Biking Tour Exploring the Best of Kyoto
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!
* Must be 13+ to participate as a rider
Naoshima Art Island Hassle-free Luxury Tour from Kyoto
Photos courtesy of:
- “Red Pumpkin” Yayoi Kusama,2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square * No Reproduction
Explore the art island of Naoshima with this hassle-free, luxury day tour accompanied by an English-speaking attendant.
In a single day, you will have the opportunity to explore Naoshima’s premier highlights, including the Benesse House Museum, the Naoshima New Museum of Art, and the iconic Red Pumpkin, without worrying about a single logistical detail. The tour price includes all transportation, museum entrance fees and full English support from our attendant throughout the trip. Sit back and relax in our luxury vehicle as we escort you between attractions across the island.
- Complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks on board of our luxury bus
- Entrance fees for Naoshima museums included
- Round-trip Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets between Kyoto and Himeji
- Round-trip luxury bus transportation between Himeji and Naoshima
Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access
Escape the crowds of central Kyoto and discover a quieter side of the city in the historic sake district. Join a professional sake guide and enjoy a relaxed journey into one of Japan’s most important brewing regions.
Visit two carefully selected breweries chosen by a sake expert, representing both tradition and innovation.Step inside a historic brewery with nearly 400 years of history and feel the weight of centuries of craftsmanship. Then explore a small modern brewery where creativity and new ideas are shaping the future of sake.
Along the way, enjoy guided tastings of different styles of sake while learning about aromas, flavors, and brewing techniques from your sake expert.
In Kyoto — a city celebrated for its history, beauty, and artistic culture — this experience offers a deeper and more relaxing way to enjoy Japanese sake.
For a limited time, guests joining the tour through mid-October will receive a complimentary KST original fan featuring useful facts about Japanese sake.
Traditional Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto
Our tea ceremony experience is designed to be welcoming, approachable, and meaningful. While the traditional tea ceremony is often seen as formal and solemn, we aim to share its beauty in a comfortable and accessible way. Guests enjoy the experience seated on chairs, allowing anyone—including those unfamiliar with floor seating or with limited mobility—to participate with ease.
Throughout the session, you will explore the history of tea in Japan, learn how Zen philosophy shaped the heart of the tea ceremony, and observe authentic techniques performed up close by a tea master, allowing you to appreciate the subtlety and refinement of this art.
In the second half, you will savor carefully selected traditional sweets from long-established artisans and make your own bowl of matcha using premium tea sourced from a family-run farm. We conclude with a Q&A session to deepen your understanding.
We hope this experience becomes the beginning of your journey into Japanese tea culture.