Top Kansai Art & Culture

Kyoto is famous for its “geisha” culture, and this experience offers a rare chance to watch a real “maiko” (apprentice “geisha”) perform up close. Sightings like this are increasingly uncommon, making it an experience many travelers miss. During the show, enjoy traditional dances, take part in a question-and-answer session, and play a classic Japanese game too.

Gion is known for its geisha culture and traditions, and this walking tour takes you to explore the hidden alleyways and places that most visitors miss. Learn insider stories about geisha life, with the chance to spot geisha along the way. The walk also takes in quiet backstreets, a 1,000-year-old shrine, and some of Kyoto’s most photogenic locations.

Osaka, known as “Japan’s Kitchen,” is famous for its street food and regional dishes. Sample many of these local specialties in one evening on this authentic food tour in the often overlooked area of Shinsekai. You’ll get to try 15 dishes at 5 different establishments, with two drinks included. Weave through arcades and side alleys filled with locals as you visit these different restaurants.

Experience the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi in a quiet workshop near Gion and Kawaramachi in Kyoto. In this hands-on experience, you will repair cracked or chipped ceramic pieces using lacquer and gold powder, transforming broken pottery into something beautiful and unique. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you will carefully work on bowls or plates while learning the basic techniques of Kintsugi. Rather than hiding imperfections, this traditional method celebrates them as part of an object’s history and character. During the workshop, you will also learn about the history of Kintsugi and the Japanese philosophy that values imperfection and mindfulness. Your finished piece will become a one-of-a-kind souvenir and a meaningful reminder of your time in Kyoto, offering a calm and authentic introduction to Japanese culture.

Gion, Kyoto's famed geisha district, is packed full of tourists during the day making it difficult to get a sense of the area's culture. Avoid the biggest groups and immerse yourself in Japanese heritage on this small-group walking tour that leads you through the elegant streets after dark, while geisha and maiko make their way to their appointments.

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.

Nara is one of Japan's most-visited destinations, which means it gets crowded during the day. Dodge the biggest crowds and enjoy a more intimate experience of the ancient Japanese capital on this early-morning, small-group tour. Admire landmarks including Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara Park, home to free-roaming deer, while learning about the long history of this sacred place.

Osaka is best seen on foot, and this route proves it. To help beat the heat, we’ll take a break along the way for a refreshing local drink on us, like a cold Matcha or Osaka's famous Mixed Juice. On the route: Osaka Castle – the grounds, the park, and the history behind the walls Shitennoji Temple – Japan's oldest Buddhist temple, still in daily use Shinsekai – retro streets under Tsutenkaku Tower, kushikatsu and a bit of grit Dotonbori – the canal, the neon, the street food everyone photographs Kuromon Market – locals call it Osaka's kitchen Your guide fills in what a map app can't: which gate to use, which stall is worth the wait, why the castle looks so different today. Groups stay small, no umbrella-following crowds. Good for first-timers who'd rather ask a person than a screen. We move by local subway and train (fares not included), your guide handles tickets and timing. We'll WhatsApp you the store location and info.

Explore the highlights of Nara with our friendly local guides who are not only knowledgeable but also passionate about their city. They will take you around the sites in most efficient way and provide you with in-depth insights into each site, ensuring you get the most out of your visit. Nara, the first capital of Japan, is a captivating city that offers a journey back in time to the country's rich cultural and historical heritage. Famous for its serene temples and a shrine, stunning garden, and the iconic free-roaming deer. This tour allows you to choose several locations of your choice. Join us for an unforgettable stop in Nara, the heart of Japan. Please choose 3 to 4 must-see spots from "What To Expect" that you wish to visit.

Even if your visit to Japan doesn’t coincide with the official sumo season, you can still watch wrestlers show off their skills during a sumo show experience in Kyoto. Not only will you watch the retired athletes perform classic moves in a traditional ring, but you’ll enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and you can even challenge a wrestler to a match.

The magic of Kyoto’s Gion district is best experienced when it’s all lit up at night. Enjoy a more personalized approach to discovering Japan’s traditional culture on this small group tour. Wander through narrow back streets and see offbeat temples and shrines that most tourists don’t know to visit. If you’re lucky, you may even see a maiko or geisha.

What makes this workshop special is the material itself: you'll work with real vintage Japanese coins, each one decades old and full of history. Unlike typical souvenir shopping, you'll create something with your own hands using traditional metalworking techniques — and the ring you take home is truly one of a kind. Classes are kept small, so whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned craft lover, you'll get personal guidance every step of the way. Located in the heart of Kyoto, it's an easy add to any itinerary and one of the few experiences where your souvenir tells the story of both Japan and your trip.

This is not a typical walk through Gion. Instead of simply passing through Kyoto’s most famous district, this experience helps you understand what most visitors are actually looking at, but rarely notice. Led by a local guide who has lived in Japan for over ten years, this walk is shaped by daily life, storytelling, and a genuine passion for Kyoto’s culture. As we move through Gion at a relaxed pace, with time for photos and questions, you will gain a clear understanding of how the world of geisha truly functions, their arts, traditions, and the rules that shape their daily lives. Rather than focusing on chasing geisha sightings, this experience gives you the context to understand the atmosphere, the behavior, and the meaning behind what you see around you. Gion can be busy, but once you understand what you are looking at, the experience becomes completely different. By the end of the walk, you will not just have seen Gion, you will understand it.

Embark on a journey through time in Kyoto and Nara, where tradition blends harmoniously with modernity. In Nara Park, encounter the free-roaming deer that charmingly bow to you in hopes of a treat. Explore the magnificent torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, and visit the Arashiyama area, which includes the serene Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple, the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House and the beautiful Kimono Forest. Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, experience a magical fusion of nature and history with our friendly and professional guide.

-Newly opened Tea Experience with Kimono at Gion, operated by Orizuruya, trusted with 90+ Excellent Tripadvisor reviews -Experience multiple key aspects of Japanese culture in one session -Participate in a traditional tea ceremony in an authentic setting -Wear a beautiful kimono to enrich your cultural journey -Small group experience limited to 10 people for personalized attention This immersive cultural experience in Kyoto allows you to enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, complete with kimono dressing and optional calligraphy lessons. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and families seeking a deeper connection with Japan’s heritage. Guests will select a beautiful kimono, receive complimentary hairstyling, and learn the graceful art of preparing matcha. The experience also includes pairing matcha with exquisite sweets from a century-old confectionery, creating a memorable and authentic Japanese cultural journey.

Get behind the wheel of a custom-made street go-kart dressed up in your favorite Japanese-inspired character on this tour of Osaka. Take a break from more conventional sightseeing tours and follow your guide, who will handle all of the navigation. See popular areas including America Mura, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and Namba.

Explore many of Nara's top landmarks in just one day on this deluxe, full-day coach tour. Heading out from Kyoto, pass by Fushimi Castle and Heijo Palace, before arriving in Nara. Visit Todai-ji Temple—one of the world’s largest wooden buildings—then meet the 1,400 deer that inhabit Nara Park. A stop at Kasuga Taisha Shrine is followed by a Japanese-style lunch (if selected). Finally, visit the Uji area of Kyoto, where you'll make and sample traditional matcha tea.

Immerse yourself in the world of sumo wrestling in Osaka beyond simply watching a match. Learn the history and rituals behind the sport as you witness an authentic demonstration with retired sumo wrestlers. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are limited spots available to step into the ring and face a sumo wrestler yourself.

Enjoy beautiful architecture and arts at Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art and whisky tasting at Yamazaki Whisky Museum. *This tour includes Yamazaki Whiskey Museum Viewing (no tour of the distillery/Free) ・3 glasses of whisky tasting (fees are not included in the tour price). **Runs on 7/19, 23, 25-26, 28, 8/1-2, 6, 8-9, 11-13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25-27, 29, 30, 9/2-3, 5-6, 13, 19-24, 26-27, 29-30 ・Gift is included. ・This tour includes walking up the steep hill and is not designed for wheelchair and stroller users. ・English Speaking Assistant from Kyoto Tourist Information Center. ・This is a non-licensed guide walking tour. ・Underage customers can join the tour as long they are accompanying by someone who is 20 years old and older. Underage drinking is prohibited by Japanse law. ・Please provide an email address after confirmation. You will receive a final information by email titled:【Tour Date】- Booking Confirmation & Important Notice - HIS【Reservation #】.

Go beyond sightseeing with a walking tour that highlights Osaka’s history, food scene and unique blend of old and new. In addition to sites like Osaka Castle, you’ll learn about areas like Kuromon Market, also known as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” and Amerika-mura, where youth culture in Osaka thrives. You can sample delicious local street food and see hidden areas of the city that preserve elements of traditional Japan.

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. Continue exploring off the beaten path, discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

1. Powerful and Emotional Sumo Entertainment-Experience the overwhelming impact of a live sumo performance at THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA, strength, passion, and excitement come together in an unforgettable show. 2. Immerse Yourself in Sumo Culture-Discover the deep cultural heritage of sumo, a traditional Japanese sport with over 1,500 years of history, and gain insight into its rituals, values, and enduring significance. 3. Enjoy a Traditional Makunouchi Bento-Enhance your experience by savoring a colorful makunouchi bento, a classic Japanese meal that represents the richness and balance of Japan’s traditional food culture. 4. Commemorative Photos with Former Sumo Wrestlers-Take memorable photos with former sumo wrestlers and enjoy a rare opportunity to interact with these iconic athletes. 5. Exclusive Chance to Step into the Sumo Ring-Guests selected by lottery can step into the sumo ring and interact directly with the wrestlers, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Instead of buying souvenir chopsticks from a shop, this hands-on experience lets you make your own from scratch. Learn specialist techniques, including how to use a traditional Japanese "kanna" hand plane, how to smooth the surface, and how to finish the wood with natural oil. Crafted from beautiful Japanese wood, the chopsticks make a meaningful souvenir to keep for years to come.