Experiences in Kyoto

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1,713 experiences

Bento and Bicycle Tour of Hidden Kyoto with Local GuidesPrivate Tour
Experience4 hrs

Bento and Bicycle Tour of Hidden Kyoto with Local Guides

Discover a slower, more personal side of Kyoto on this small-group bento and bicycle tour. Begin your day with a hands-on bento-making class, preparing a traditional lunch of tamago-yaki, onigiri, and octopus sausages, packed in eco-friendly furoshiki. Vegetarian and vegan options available with notice, or receive a discount if you skip lunch prep. Then hop on a comfortable bike and explore Kyoto’s quiet backstreets, riverside paths, and peaceful spiritual sites — far from the crowds. The tour is led by a warm older couple: a Japanese local woman and her German husband, a veteran Kyoto cycling guide who speaks four languages. Choose from two routes: Route A visits Yoshida Shrine, Philosopher’s Path, Nanzenji, and Heian Shrine, with lunch in Okazaki Park. Route B heads north to Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, and Kamigamo Shrine, with lunch among the flowers. Both end with an optional sake tasting and a café wind-down.

Free cancellation
Kyoto Kimono Rental Chamatsu Ladies Plan with Hair Set
Experience9 hrs

Kyoto Kimono Rental Chamatsu Ladies Plan with Hair Set

With this plan, you can choose your favorite standard kimono or yukata.We have a wide selection of kimonos, yukata, accessories, etc. Why not find something special just for yourself and create wonderful memories of your trip to Kyoto with a different look? The store faces Kodaiji Ichinenzaka, the best place for sightseeing in Kyoto. Once you change into a kimono and step outside, the scenery of Kyoto unfolds. Located in a historical townscape with a "Kyoto like" interior the shop is housed in a renovated Kyoto Machiya (Traditional Townhouse). You can enjoy the retro atmosphere while preparing your food. We offer services tailored to our customers needs. You can choose your kimono and accessories slowly. If you have any questions about coordination, please feel free to consult our staff. Do not compromise on your hair set. Experienced stylists and a wide variety of hair ornaments. We will do our best to meet the various needs of individuals, couples, groups of friends, and families.

Free cancellation
Japanese Cooking ClassPrivate Tour
Experience1 hr 30 min

Japanese Cooking Class

If you are looking to get a deeper insight into Japanese food (washoku), there is no better way to do it than cooking it. So here we are at a small cooking studio in which you can experience a Japanese home style cooking. This is a great chance for you and your travel mate to escape from the travelling crowd and make a delicious meal together.

Free cancellation
Miso Tasting and Kyoto Style White Miso Making
Experience1 hr 30 min

Miso Tasting and Kyoto Style White Miso Making

You will learn the basic information of miso such as the making process, the variety of miso. After tasting 5 different types of miso, guests will make own miso which guests can bring back with them. It includes the tips to how to use each type of miso for daily cooking, so that guests can have more cooking variety even after they are back home. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of miso. *Preschooler (under 7 years old) is free and can join with a parent. If you would like us to prepare ingredients for them, please include them in the number of participants.

5.0(2 reviews)Free cancellation
Depart from Shijo, Kyoto: Half-Day E-Bike Tour with Kyotoite
Experience3 hr 30 min

Depart from Shijo, Kyoto: Half-Day E-Bike Tour with Kyotoite

Five main reasons people choose us: (1) Kyotoite (local Japanese gude) show you around (2) Electirc Pedal Asisst Bikes help you go around Kyoto smoothly. (3) Cycling routes carefully chosen by experienced staff at the largest bicycle rental shop in Kyoto (4) Reservation and cancellation requests accepted by 5pm the day before the tour date (5) Half price refund given even if you cancel the tour on the day. This is a special cycling tour which helps you feel the genuine Kyoto and the local vibes. We will be following cycling routes which were carefully selected by experienced staff at Kyoto's largest bicycle rental company, serving about 30,000 people a year. Our aim is to raise awareness of the brilliance of riding a bicycle in the beautiful Kyoto. Bicycle rides help us find the hidden beauty of Kyoto that most tourists are likely to overlook and we hope this tour helps you see things you are not able to see when you take public transport like subways, buses, and taxis.

Free cancellation
A Tour to Explore Kyoto's Autumn Foliage at Kiyomizu-dera TemplePrivate Tour
Experience4 hr 30 min

A Tour to Explore Kyoto's Autumn Foliage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Begin in the picturesque Gion Shirakawa area, where traditional streets are framed by vibrant autumn colors. Next, visit Chion-in, with its serene, colorful temple grounds, and Kodai-ji Temple, known for its stunning autumn gardens. Stroll through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, where cobblestone paths and traditional wooden buildings complement the fall foliage. The tour concludes at the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, offering panoramic views of Kyoto's spectacular autumn display. Enjoy an intimate and immersive experience of Kyoto’s autumn beauty, guided by a knowledgeable local who will share insights into the city’s rich history and seasonal splendor.

Free cancellation
Japanese Traditional Sweets making
Experience1 hr 5 min

Japanese Traditional Sweets making

The possibilities are endless. When you put your handmade Japanese sweets on a plate, you have completed an art work! Of course, the taste is guaranteed. Whether you participate alone or in a group, it will be a memorable experience that you are sure to enjoy. POINT1 We use white/red bean paste produced by Kyoto's long-established shops. POINT2 You will make 2 Japanese sweets matching the season. POINT3 Please feel free to try! You can eat the sweets on the spot.

3.0(3 reviews)Free cancellation
Kyoto Zen and Tea Ceremony in Arashiyama
Experience1 hr 30 min

Kyoto Zen and Tea Ceremony in Arashiyama

Experience Japanese culture through "Zen Meditation" and the "Tea Ceremony" at Yusai-tei in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Nestled in the picturesque Arashiyama area, Yusai-tei offers a serene setting where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature year-round. Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and tranquil snowscapes in winter. Each season presents a unique and captivating landscape, making Yusai-tei a must-visit destination. Although Yusai-tei is popular among tourists, this exclusive activity is designed for small groups, ensuring a more intimate and enriching experience. You will have an opportunity to participate in authentic "Zen Meditation" and the "Tea Ceremony," practices that have profoundly influenced Japanese culture and philosophy. Additionally, you can enjoy all-you-can-drink Japanese tea and sweets. Recommended for those who wish to connect with Japanese culture while enjoying beautiful natural surroundings.

Free cancellation
Secret Eastern Kyoto Biking Adventure
Experience2 hrs

Secret Eastern Kyoto Biking Adventure

Our Japanese staff guided over 200 tours from 2018 to 2020, and we're thrilled to be back in Kyoto! If you're looking to explore Kyoto efficiently, our biking tour is the perfect choice. Unlike bus or walking tours, which can be time-consuming, our bike tours allow you to visit popular destinations in a shorter timeframe. We utilize scenic backstreets to avoid traffic and maximize your sightseeing experience. You may think this 3 hours bike ride is too long for you,, but we will guide you with a lot of descriptions of Japanese and Kyoto cultures so you will not become bored with us.Also visiting a real temple and trying real Green tea will be one of the most memorable experiences in Kyoto! Jump on a bicycle and enjoy the unique sights of Kyoto. Pedal through temples, stroll among shrines, and sip green tea while viewing exquisite hidden gardens. In addition we will take you to see some delightful unexpected sights.

5.0(44 reviews)Free cancellation
Make Custom Chopsticks in 100yo Kyoto Building【No Extra Fees】New On Viator
Experience45 min

Make Custom Chopsticks in 100yo Kyoto Building【No Extra Fees】

In a wooden building over 100 years old, we offer a workshop where you can easily create your one-and-only chopsticks. Choose your preferred wood, shave it with a plane, smooth it with sandpaper, finish with oil, and complete the process by wrapping your chopsticks. While enjoying the scent and warmth of the wood, you can truly appreciate the charm of chopsticks, an everyday item in Japanese culture. This experience is suitable for both children and adults, combining the ease of hands-on activity with the joy of taking home a tangible memory. It’s a perfect way to enhance sightseeing or a stroll through Kyoto. Reservations are available, but walk-ins are also welcome. We look forward to welcoming you in a convenient and open space. ・No additional fees apply. You can choose your favorite wood from approximately 12 different types. ・Choose from a variety of natural woods and personalize your own chopsticks with optional name engraving.

Free cancellation
Private Nishiki Market Food & Sake Tour by Young Local GuidesPrivate Tour
Experience2 hrs

Private Nishiki Market Food & Sake Tour by Young Local Guides

Enjoy a private street food and sake tour of Nishiki Market, guided by local student guides who share Kyoto’s food culture from a fresh, local perspective. The tour starts at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a small shrine at the entrance of the market dedicated to the god of learning. After a brief introduction and purification ritual, head into the lively market streets. Walk through Nishiki Market and eat like a local, tasting favorites such as grilled seafood, yuba (tofu skin), rolled omelet, and Kyoto pickles. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with traditional sweets like mochi, wagashi, and matcha desserts. You’ll also sample Kyoto-made sake at a local shop, learning about different styles and flavors. End the tour with time to shop for popular foodie souvenirs, including matcha snacks, condiments, and small sake bottles—perfect gifts to take home.

4.9(15 reviews)Free cancellation
Japanese Sweets Making with a Skilled ArtisanPrivate Tour
Experience1 hr 30 min

Japanese Sweets Making with a Skilled Artisan

Confectionery artisans have long been responsible for developing folks’ sense of seasonal appreciation while expressing a hint of changing seasons in edible arts. This tour is hosted by a very welcoming artisan with almost 60 years of experience under his belt, who simply finds sweets making a sheer joy. Let’s join him to share the joy together.

Free cancellation

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