Top Kansai How to Get Around in 2026

See and do exactly what you want on this private and customizable 4-hour walking tour of Osaka. Your local guide will aim to show you a range of historic and modern sites in Japan’s second-largest city. Choose to visit highlights including Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building, the Dotombori District, Keitaku-en Garden, and more. Your guide will meet you at your hotel so you won’t have to worry about finding them.

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto."

Learn all about the history and techniques of sake production—and taste a range of different sake styles—on this small-group Kyoto tour. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum for an immersive introduction to sake. Then, follow your guide to an atmospheric local bar where you can sample a range of different sake varieties. Learn all about sake—from its history and brewing processes to distinguishing its different tastes.

Bike tours and food crawls are two much-loved traveler favorites—here’s your chance to combine both. Hop on your own set of wheels and follow a guide to try Osaka’s most delectable food specialties. Stop to take in top city sights along the way, such as seeing one of the city's oldest temples, as you cruise between multiple stops, which may include a locally-run sushi shop or grilled wagyu beef.

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 11/1, 3-8, 11, 17-22, 25-30, 12/1-6, 19-20, 22-24. ・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 #】.

Planning a day trip to Nara can take time, so let a private guide do the hard work instead. This flexible private tour can start in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, with optional private car transportation upgrades. Just pick 3–4 attractions from a list of recommended sights before your tour, then enjoy a personalized tour of your top picks, with a guide to share local history and stories.

Osaka is often called “Japan’s Kitchen” thanks to its vibrant food culture and street food scene. But navigating the many options for food and drinking can be overwhelming. This private tour lets you enjoy the ambiance of Japan’s izakayas and drink and sample some of the best dishes the city has to offer. Try street food, traditional local games, and kushikatsu, which is deep-fried skewered food.

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.

Departing at the end of a trip can be a stressful experience, so simplify the process with this handy private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International Airport. You’ll be met at your hotel and transported to the airport in good time for your onward flight. Vehicles of various sizes can accommodate groups of up to nine passengers.

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box with other food lovers.

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.

Make the most of a short time on land with this private shore excursion to Kobe. Instead of rushing around with a large group, slow down and appreciate the quieter side of Kobe. Visit the Herb Gardens, the Nunobiki Ropeway, and Kobe Harborland. Visit a sake brewery and learn more about this Japanese drink. If you get hungry, you can also opt to dine at a restaurant serving Kobe beef.

Travel round-trip from Kyoto by high-speed bullet train to take in Hiroshima's historic sites, including exhibits about the 1945 atomic bomb that devastated the city. Start your visit on a lighter note, traveling by boat to Miyajima, a famously beautiful island that is home to the revered Itsukushima Shrine. Return to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum and hear important details about Hiroshima's heartbreaking history and remarkable recovery.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture during a private tour and dining experience with a geisha, once reserved for the elite. Begin with a guided stroll through the historic district, followed by an exclusive dinner or party featuring a geisha dance performance. Enjoy one-on-one conversations with a geiko or a maiko, gaining personal insights and stories that are never shared with the public—a rare experience difficult to find anywhere else.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers, and those interested in Japanese spirituality. Put away the guidebook and follow the lead of a landscape designer with over 15 years’ experience. It’s a great way to discover secret local spots that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and to understand more about the meaning behind zen gardens.

One of Japan’s most famous attractions, Osaka Castle is located in the middle of a sizable urban park—perfect for scenic bike rides. On this small-group tour, explore the park on two wheels, exploring moats, shrines, and gardens while learning about local history and culture from your guide. Lunch and a tea break are included to fuel you for the rest of the day.

This bike tour is the perfect way to explore Kyoto. Cycle down narrow backstreets that are inaccessible by bus tours, and cover ground at a faster pace than a walking tour. The itinerary showcases Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, the traditional geisha district of Gion, Tofukuji Temple, Takase Canal, and plenty more scenic surprises along the way.

【Tour Highlights】 ・Explore Kyoto’s Top UNESCO Landmarks Visit iconic sights including Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), and Arashiyama in one seamless journey. ・Friendly Local English-Speaking Guide Gain rich historical context and insider stories from an expert local guide throughout your trip. ・Flexible 1-Day or Half-Day Options Select the Full-Day tour with a Kyoto-style buffet lunch, or choose the streamlined Half-Day option. 【Choose Your Plan】 ・Full-Day Plan Covers Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, a Kyoto-style buffet lunch, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, Kinkakuji, and the Kyoto Handicraft Center. ・Half-Day Plan Covers Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari. Please note: This plan concludes upon arrival at Arashiyama (approx. 12:20 PM) where participants disband. Return transport to Kyoto Station is not included.

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.

Tailor your time in Osaka to your tastes by opting for a private and customizable tour. Whether you want to know the best places for souvenir Shopping or are craving some street food, your Guide will accommodate your preferences. See a more authentic side to Osaka and go beyond the tourist traps with insights from your Local Guide.

Avoid the crowds and time pressure that often come with visiting Kyoto by starting early on a private tour designed to get you ahead of peak visitor times. Instead of navigating busy attractions later in the day, you experience iconic sites at their most peaceful, with a smoother flow between key locations. It’s an efficient way to see Kyoto’s highlights while avoiding the rush.

Walking through Osaka offers a great window into Japanese culture. Experience a private tour customized to your interests, including historic sites like Osaka Castle, vibrant districts like Shinsekai and America-mura, and the added Kuromon Market for fresh local flavors. Explore your own way, whether trying street food like takoyaki or discovering authentic spots known only to locals.

Embark on a journey through time in Kyoto, Nara and Uji, where tradition blends harmoniously with modernity. In Nara Park, encounter the free-roaming deer that charmingly bow to you in hopes of a treat and visit the impressive Todai-ji Temple. Explore the magnificent torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and discover the city of Uji, renowned for its green tea production. Stroll along the cobblestone path of Byodo-in Omotesando, a paradise for matcha green tea lovers. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Byodo-in Temple, which features its Phoenix Hall built in 1053-highlighted on the obverse side of the 10 yen coin. Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, experience a magical fusion of nature and history with our friendly and professional guide.

Learn all about the geisha’s of Kyoto on this guided walk that will take you to Gion District, to see real-life geisha walking along the alleyways. In the evening, these cobblestone streets are illuminated, and your guide will tell you stories about the mysterious geisha, and what happens behind the closed doors of Gion.