Experiences in Kyoto

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1,624 experiences

Kyoto: Half-Day Private Tour Gion Geisha Districts & KiyomizuPrivate Tour
Experience4 hrs

Kyoto: Half-Day Private Tour Gion Geisha Districts & Kiyomizu

Experience Kyoto’s timeless charm on our tour of three iconic geisha districts: Pontocho, Gion Shirakawa, and Gion Hanamikoji. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and history buffs, this tour immerses you in Kyoto’s flower street culture. Begin in Pontocho, a lantern-lit alley known for its traditional teahouses. Next, enjoy the tranquil beauty of Gion Shirakawa, with its serene streams and lush greenery. Conclude in Gion Hanamikoji, where you might spot a geisha amidst the beautifully preserved machiya houses. This tour offers a rich cultural journey through Kyoto’s historic districts, providing memorable encounters and deep insights into local traditions.

5.0(1 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Customizable Tour with Guide and Luxury VehiclePrivate Tour
Experience10 hrs

Kyoto Customizable Tour with Guide and Luxury Vehicle

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking • Service animals allowed • Stroller accessible • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible • Transportation is wheelchair accessible • Most travelers can participate • The total duration includes the transportation from one place to another • welcome to all • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

5.0(6 reviews)Free cancellation
Private Kimono Photography Session in KyotoPrivate Tour
Experience3 hrs

Private Kimono Photography Session in Kyoto

You'll have the pleasure of selecting your kimono from a collection at a rental shop, supported by certified kimono-fitting experts. As you wander through the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the vibrant colors of your kimono will create captivating contrasts against the serene backdrop. Each step becomes a photo-worthy experience, and our dedicated photographer will craft a visual narrative of your connection to Kyoto's culture and nature. Our experienced photographer is with over 20 years of expertise, hailing from Kyoto and fluent in English. He is familiar with all the photo spots in Fushimi Inari Shrine. This experience is designed for your convenience, with all essential kimono items provided. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Kyoto without any worries, leaving you with cherished memories and stunning photographs.

Free cancellation
Kyoto Private Photoshoot with Professional PhotographerPrivate Tour
Experience1 hr

Kyoto Private Photoshoot with Professional Photographer

Spend an hour strolling through Kyoto with a professional photographer to capture the best possible images of your tour. You'll learn about local monuments and get a photo shoot with your loved ones; this activity is kid-friendly and can accommodate your groups. After the session, you'll receive professional quality images that you can cherish. ・Local photographer guide takes photos of you and your group in Kyoto ・Receive edited images via email after the session ・Perfect souvenir of your trip

5.0(3 reviews)Free cancellation
Nishiki Market Lunch Tour
Experience2 hrs

Nishiki Market Lunch Tour

Explore “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” where even local restaurant chefs come to buy ingredients. Eat and sip your way through the market while learning about Kyoto’s unique 1,000+ year-old food culture. Enjoy lunch local-style at 7+ street food & sit-in eateries, sampling local favorites and hearing the stories behind the shops and Kyoto’s culinary traditions.

5.0(74 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Ramen Tour: Choose Your Own Shops
Experience2 hr 30 min

Kyoto Ramen Tour: Choose Your Own Shops

Explore Kyoto's ramen scene on this guided tour! Taste both classic and modern ramen and get a better understanding of the wonderful world of ramen with our expert guide. You'll visit two ramen shops for two wildly different bowls of ramen — one classic Kyoto-style, one more modern, each served in smaller portions so you can enjoy both without overdoing it. At the beginning of the tour, you'll sit down with your guide over a cup of coffee or tea to talk through Kyoto's ramen origins and the route you'll be taking — the shops you'll be visiting along the way. Note: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options may be available, but cannot be guaranteed on shared group tours. Feel free to contact us in advance to discuss your needs.

5.0(22 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Private Geisha Experience in an Exclusive Teahouse at GionPrivate Tour
Experience2 hrs

Kyoto Private Geisha Experience in an Exclusive Teahouse at Gion

Escape the crowds for the ultimate VIP cultural encounter in Kyoto. This private experience grants you exclusive access to an invitation-only Tea house (Ochaya) in Gion, reserved solely for your group. Uncover the deep history and traditions of Geisha before witnessing an authentic live performance in an intimate setting. Relax with curated drinks and local snacks as you immerse yourself in timeless Japanese art. Perfectly scheduled in the daytime or evening to complement your Gion walking tour. ・Private VIP encounter in a members-only Gion teahouse ・Interactive culture session on Geisha history followed by a live Maiko dance ・Complimentary Japanese drinks and traditional snacks included

【Fushimi inari shrine】A local born in Kyoto shares the secret path away touristsPrivate Tour
Experience2 hr 30 min

【Fushimi inari shrine】A local born in Kyoto shares the secret path away tourists

【Private tour by a local guide】 I was born and grew up near Fushimi Inari Taisha. I am not a foreigner. So I have known the Fushimi Inari shrine since I was a boy. Now Fushimi Inari shrine is one of the most popular places to visit, but there are too many people around and it is like an amusement park. I would like you to feel the nature and peace here as the locals used to. I am a local who knows this mountain's courses very well and many beautiful hiking paths are hidden, they are not on the official map. If you like to know places that are not crowded in Kyoto, feel free to ask me. Welcome any questions about Japan, Shrine, & Zen Buddhism as well. I also own my tour agency, Tour Bench Inc. since 2011. Consider coming on my Tour of Kyoto. I offer a variety of tours. 【How much exercise 】 Fushimi Inari shrine is a super big mountain so we have to take the stairs or a hilly way to reach the top. The height is about 200 meters so it is not quite a high mountain. Bring some water:)

3.7(3 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Sushi Making Experience with a Professional Sushi Chef
Experience3 hr 30 min

Kyoto Sushi Making Experience with a Professional Sushi Chef

【This experience is offered by MagicalTrip, proud winner of the Tripadvisor Best of the Best Award】 This is an authentic "Sushi Making Experience". ■COURSE ー9 Nigiri Sushi, Roll sushi ーTempura set ーTwo Drink ー Sake tastings ー Matcha Experience ー Japanese sweets Embark on a flavorful journey in Kyoto, beginning with a visit to a local shop for traditional Japanese sweets, guided by a friendly expert. Then, step into an authentic sushi restaurant and meet a professional Taisho chef. Watch as he showcases precise knife work and the elegant craft of making nigiri. Learn to roll sushi yourself—an impressive skill to share back home! Next, make your own sushi under the Taisho’s careful guidance. Enjoy freshly made tempura by the chef, followed by a sake tasting with pairing tips to elevate each bite. To end your experience, unwind in a peaceful Kyoto-style garden. There, your guide will teach you how to whisk matcha, which you’ll enjoy with the sweets you picked earlier.

5.0(18 reviews)Free cancellation
Naoshima Art Island Hassle-free Luxury Tour from KyotoLikely To Sell Out
Experience12 hrs

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

4.9(16 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Supermarket Tour, Tofu Shop Visit + Cooking Class with RitaPrivate Tour
Experience4 hrs

Kyoto Supermarket Tour, Tofu Shop Visit + Cooking Class with Rita

Explore a bustling, local supermarket that sells everything you need to cook a traditional Japanese meal. Your host Rita will teach you about the local products on offer, from farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to Japanese ingredients and spices. After exploring the supermarket together you will walk to a tofu shop, where you will have your cooking lesson. Rita will talk you through the process of how tofu is made from soy beans and describe the variety of products that can be made from it (please note that you will not see the process of making tofu, because the manufacturing starts early in the morning). During your hands-on cooking class, you will have the opportunity to help prepare and taste the unique ingredients and seasonings that form the foundation of Japanese cuisine. Your cooking lesson with last about an hour and a half before you sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare over a fun conversation.

Free cancellation
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
Experience3 hr 30 min

The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk

Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, history, and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony. Begin at Kennin-ji Temple, the birthplace of matcha culture in Japan, where you’ll explore how tea influenced Zen Buddhism and Kyoto’s traditions. Then stop by a specialty shop for tea ceremony tools such as bamboo whisks and raku teacups. Next, step into a quiet hidden Zen temple to experience Kyoto’s peaceful side, with moss gardens, stone paths, and the timeless beauty of Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. The tour concludes with an authentic tea ceremony, enjoying a carefully prepared bowl of matcha guided by the philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e—“one chance, one encounter.” Located near Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, this experience fits perfectly into your Kyoto sightseeing plans.

4.9(61 reviews)Free cancellation

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