Top Kansai Art & Culture - page 7

Take a deep dive into the art of traditional Japanese handcrafts at the Kyoto Shibori Museum by learning how to dye silk scarf using the sekka shibori method. At the end of your private class you'll have a beautiful scarf to serve as a souvenir of your trip to Kyoto.

Experience the art of the samurai during a *kembu* show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with a samurai sword and the performers post-show.

Active travelers will love seeing Kyoto’s sights from the seat of a bicycle. You’ll cover more ground than on a walking tour but get a more intimate experience than on a bus tour. Visit must-see highlights including the Imperial Palace, the Gion district, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), and Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. Refuel with a hearty Japanese lunch.

Get an up-close perspective of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district on this small-group walking tour. Learn more about Kyoto’s history and culture as you visit Arashiyama highlights such as the beautiful bamboo grove, the 14th-century Tenryuji Temple, the wide Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River, and more. Get a more intimate look at this rich part of town by exploring on foot for about four hours.

Go off the beaten track—and avoid tourist traps—on this nighttime walking tour of Osaka. In a small group of no more than six people, sample several local dishes across the foodie districts of Tenma and Kyobashi, enjoy a few drinks, and get to know the locals. Get a genuine taste of Osaka's culture and nightlife without the need to plan an itinerary.

Discover the Zen gardens, colourful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour designed for a more immersive and culturally rich experience. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a local guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more —while uncovering deeper cultural insights and hidden details often missed.

Commemorate your trip to Kyoto during this small-group 90-minute photo session. Travel between multiple locations—from Shinto shrines and the traditional Gion district to cherry blossom displays in Maruyama park—in a group capped at six participants. Receive 50 high-quality edited photos within 24 hours of the tour.

Explore Kyoto’s highlights, and cover more ground with less effort on this small-group guided bike tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Zen temple of Kennin-ji to explore its Japanese rock garden. Then, pedal over to Nanzen-ji Temple where you can learn about the old days of Kyoto. Learn about the history and significance of each point of interest from your guide. You'll also stop at a traditional Japanese teahouse for a delicious lunch.

Osaka is home to some of Japan's best food, but it can be overwhelming to navigate the many options on your own. A private food tour takes care of the research for you, taking you to the spots where the locals go. This tour goes a step further by assigning you a compatible host based on your responses to a short questionnaire.

Visit a popular micro pig cafe in Osaka and enjoy a unique animal experience. Pet, feed, and take photos with adorable and friendly micro pigs in a clean and cozy indoor space. Our pigs are gentle, well cared for, and love meeting guests from around the world. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and animal lovers visiting Japan. Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Gamou 4-chome Station. Photo review offer: Guests who post a review with a photo during their micro pig interaction experience will receive complimentary pig treats. Important: To protect the health of our pigs, guests who have traveled from countries affected by ASF (African Swine Fever) within the past 2 days are not allowed to enter. Participation is possible from the 3rd day after arriving in Japan. Please check the image for more details.

Immerse yourself in the cultural and architectural splendor of Kyoto on this private tour, ideal for first-time visitors. Choose from two different routes, both of which cover major Kyoto attractions including Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple, and explore the city with a personal guide. On the northwest-bound route, you’ll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama Park. Alternatively, the southeast course covers the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Gion area. Receive undivided attention from your guide on this private tour.

Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s geisha district—Gion—can be daunting for first-time visitors. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. Discover hidden places that locals love, hear about Kyoto’s ancient past, and visit other key landmarks beyond Gion too, such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Kennin-ji Temple.

Make your Instagram followers envious as you explore Kyoto on a customizable day trip to its most recognizable hotspots! Kyoto is synonymous with Old Japan, and it is indeed where you’ll be able to find many picture opportunities. You are going to check out the places with the best Kyoto aesthetic and it will be a treat for your eyes and your Instagram followers. From shrines to street art, this city is loaded with photogenic spots. Grab your camera and get your hashtags ready, here are the most Instagrammable places in Kyoto! The best thing about this day trip is that you choose the exact experience that you want. We will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Stroll the back alleys of Kyoto, missed by many visitors, as dusk falls and they are at their most atmospheric on this private guided tour. In the company of just a guide and your party, see how ancient tradition blends with contemporary culture as you explore the enchanting wooden alleyways lit with traditional paper lanterns in the historic Gion district and the picturesque streets of old Pontocho, where, with luck, you might spot a geisha or two.

This private tour allows you to discover the highlights of the Arashiyama and Sagano districts of Kyoto, without having to do any research. Instead, set off with a private guide to take care of the navigating and teach you about the local area. Along the way, stroll past an abundance of interesting sights, such as Arashiyama’s bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Tenryuji Temple.

Kyoto is known for its Geisha culture, stunning temples, and ancient traditions—but without insider knowledge or comprehensive research, it can be tricky to design a whistle-stop itinerary. On this private and personalized tour, enjoy the company of a local host to take you around Kyoto and showcase its hidden treasures. Find out about the city’s history, and tick off highlights, such as Minamiza Theatre, Shijo Dori, and Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine).

It can be daunting as a first-time visitor to Japan to cope with language barriers and navigate around a new place. On this Kyoto half-day tour, take the stress out of travel planning by having a local host plan your day. Explore one or two neighborhoods of your choice, walking past multiple top attractions and learning about Japanese culture from your guide. By traveling with a local, you learn about hidden secrets off the beaten track that tourists wouldn’t usually visit.

First-time visitors to Osaka who want a comprehensive overview of the city will love this handy private walking tour that utilizes the public transport system. Experience both modern and ancient Osaka at attractions like the Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and more. This plan is recommended for those who want to visit Osaka's popular tourist spots efficiently. Select the "customizable tour" option and contact your guide 2 weeks in advance to create a fully personalized itinerary. ・Learn about the culture and history of Osaka from your English-speaking guide ・An easy way to see many places in one day of sightseeing ・Receive personalized attention on a private tour

Active travelers will love the opportunity to explore the northern parts of Kyoto by bike. Your local guide will make sure you don’t get lost, and will show you to back alleys and hidden corners that you might miss otherwise, as well as some of the famous attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Cycle on comfortable bike, and enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch to refuel.

et to know the lore, history, and must-see spots in Osaka on this guided tour in Osaka. At Osaka Castle, you'll learn about Hideyoshi, the beloved hero who built the castle and castle lore. At Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, you'll shop, dine, and stroll through the 600 shops in the arcade. This tour will use public transportation to get around. Dining, shopping, and transportation fees are not included in the tour fee.

Many travelers to Kyoto make a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest without exploring the surrounding area. This small-group walking tour ensures you don't make the same mistake. Go beyond the bamboo and discover such serene spots as the private Okochi Sanso garden, where matcha is served in a former tea house; Tenryu-ji temple; Arashiyama shopping street; Togetsukyo Bridge; and Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.

Get more out of time in Kyoto with this exciting cultural experience in Kyoto’s Kagai district. Visit the Gion Kagai Art Museum—with admission included so you don’t have to wait in ticket lines—and enjoy the special opportunity to watch “geiko” and “maiko” sing and dance during a live performance in the atmospheric banquet room.

Learn how to make an authentic cup of matcha during your time in Osaka in this small-group class. Whether you're traveling solo or are part of a group, your instructor walks you through each step and corrects any mistakes. All of the tools and ingredients are prepared for you, and your tea break comes with Japanese sweets for the full experience.

Take a deeper dive into Osaka’s military history than you could alone on a tour of Osaka Castle and Hokoku Shrine. Guide commentary adds context to what you see in the sprawling Osaka Castle Park and reveals lesser-known information about one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Upgrade to a tour that includes the admission fee to save you from lining up on the day.