Top Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Tours - page 3

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.

Welcome to Kyoto, Japan! Let’s dive into and discover Kyoto's kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Explore as many as 10 attractions in the city on this full day tour. We take you to the must-see sights and show you the hidden gems of each location. Let’s stroll the city on foot and by bus like a local. Transportation in Kyoto is very complicated. However, all our guides were born and raised in Japan, have lived for a long time close to the area, and are well-trained expert locals. So, we can take you to so many places, within a limited timeframe. Though the tour, you can learn about our history, culture, society, values, etiquette, how to take public transportations, and everyday life. 【Highlights】 (Meet at JR Saga-Arashiyama station at 8:50) Arashiyama Area, Randen Tram Line, Ryoan-ji Temple, Conveyor belt sushi for lunch(Sushi, Vege-Sushi, Ramen, Kara-Age, Beer, Mochi too), Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-zaka slope, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Pagoda, Gion area

Combine natural beauty and close encounters with wildlife on this action-packed afternoon tour to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Iwatayama Monkey Park. To save tired legs, and help you get around with ease, bike and helmet rental is included. The trip showcases spectacular views of Kyoto from Iwatayama Mountain, the natural beauty of the bamboo forest, Sogenchi Pond Garden, and the chance to look out for Japanese macaque monkeys.

Get a deeper insight into Japanese history than would be possible independently on this private guided tour of Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. As you explore the historic buildings, enjoy the undivided attention of your guide who introduces you to Japan's Edo period when it was under the control of a shogunate, and the establishment of Kyoto, the ancient capital.

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

Learn traditional Japanese calligraphy during a hands-on workshop led by an experienced instructor. Discover special techniques, such as how to correctly use a brush, and receive insider tips you wouldn’t get from a book. All materials are provided, including brushes, ink, and washi paper, which saves you time sourcing your own equipment. Then, at the end of the session, you can take home your finished calligraphy—a perfect keepsake to remember your time in Japan.

Sake—traditional rice wine—is Japan’s most famous drink, and Kyoto’s Fushimi District is renowned for its sake production, home to over 30 breweries. During this small-group experience, discover the wide varieties of sake and learn how to identify your preferences, led by a sake sommelier. Sample several different sakes, accompanied by tasty Japanese snacks, and leave with a cheat sheet to help you order your favorite sakes while in Japan.

This tour offers an exquisite blend of Kyoto's breathtaking landscapes and cultural immersion. With an optional ride on the renowned Sagano Romantic Train, you can witness Kyoto's vibrant maple season scenery. Explore significant sites like the mystical Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the serene Tenryu Temple, and enjoy a delightful street food stroll, sampling Kyoto's unique culinary offerings. The picturesque views at Togetsukyo Bridge and the tranquil Arashiyama Park complete this unforgettable experience.

With an experienced local guide fluent in both English and Japanese (with previous experience guiding Hollywood actors, Lance Gross!) All of our members were born and raised in Japan, so we have an in-depth understanding of the country. This allows us to share the hidden charms of Japan that only locals know. In addition, we offer free Japanese language support in case of emergencies. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in accidents and incidents involving unlicensed or inexperienced drivers who are not from Japan at other companies. Our strength lies in providing the highest level of safety and reliability through our Japanese drivers and Japanese guides. In addition to hands-on activities such as ninja training and chopstick-making, our strong local connections grant access to exclusive experiences — including invitations-only Ochaya and private geisha or maiko performances. (We are a Guide Service Company)

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.

Explore the highlights of Osaka in a day, without the stress of figuring out public transport route maps, as a private guide joins you on the journey from Kyoto. After meeting at your hotel, head to Osaka together, where you can see a shortlist of top sights in a day. Access spectacular views from Osaka Castle, stroll through Dotonbori District, and learn about great street food at Kuromon Market.

Discover the art of ‘shibori’ during this 30 to 60-minute scarf-making class in Kyoto. Learn about Japanese culture from your knowledgable guide and become versed in one of the country’s many art forms. Use traditional tools and fabrics to make your scarf, then take this memorable handmade souvenir home with you to show your friends and family.

This bus tour makes it easy to visit Amanohashidate and Miyama in one day. Skip the hassle of figuring out local subway networks with bus pickup from a convenient meeting point in Kyoto or Osaka. Along the way, enjoy onboard commentary and multiple stops, including Chionji Temple, a cruise at Amanohashidate, the village of Miyama, and Nariai-ji Temple.

Amanohashidate is a 3km long natural sandbar revered since ancient times as a bridge to the heavens. On this tour, you will cross the sandbar on an electric bike and visit the beautiful beaches and shrines along the way. You will enjoy a pleasant ride through rice fields and historic roads while admiring the beautiful ocean. Afterwars, you will visit spots recommended by local guides that most tourists don't visit, such as a shrine with over 2000 years of history and the mansion of a samurai merchant who was once a wealthy merchant due to time and energy constraints. This tour uses the latest e-bikes, so even those not physically fit can enjoy it.

Escape the crowds and leisurely explore Kyoto’s sights on a private bike ride with a local host. Visit quaint and traditional streets that you wouldn’t be able to access on a bus tour, and take breaks along the way so your guide can enrich your knowledge of the city’s history. Sights on the itinerary include Pontocho District, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, The Philosopher's Path, and Heian 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.

Get a more comprehensive understanding of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove as you expore the surrounding area on an electric bike tour. Cover more ground than you ever could by walking as you visit stunning temples and areas away from the main tourist hubs. The tour includes everything you need, including a bike, helmet, temple fees, and snacks.

Experience the nature and culture of Kyoto on this all-day private excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup, explore this UNESCO-designated city with a chauffeur to take you between sites. Customize the tour to suit your interests and visit popular attractions such as the Arashiyama bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Gion district.

Explore Kyoto by bicycle on this tour of the city's highlights. Visit the UNESCO-listed Zen temple of Kennin-ji in the Gion district to explore its Japanese rock garden. Then, pedal over to Nanzen-ji Temple where you can learn about the old days of Koyoto. An English-speaking guide is available to tell you about the history and significance of each point of interest. You'll also stop at a traditional Japanese teahouse for a delicious lunch and enjoy a relaxing cycle along the Kamogawa River.

A city like Kyoto, with over 1200 years of history, is bound to have its dark side. Learn all about it on this four-hour guided tour that takes in some of the ghostly, haunted, supernatural, or otherwise creepy parts of Kyoto. See and hear a different side to popular attractions like Gion and Kiyomizudera. Stop at places you might not otherwise find, like cemeteries and a haunted candy store. Prepare to be entertained, and a little creeped out.

Skip the guidebooks and online reviews with this private sightseeing tour of Kyoto. Spend a full day with a guide to take you around the city. A full itinerary is planned out for you, which removes the hassle of organizing it yourself. Along the way, visit highlights such as Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Temple, with the flexibility to customize the route to suit your requirements.

Spend some time getting acquainted with the cultural highlights of two historically important and beautiful districts of Kyoto on this private guided walking tour in Arashiyama and Sagano. As the tour is just for your personal group, you can customize the itinerary and pick 2–3 places to visit. Potential stops include Tenryu-ji Temple, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Togetsukyo Bridge.

Explore Kyoto on your own schedule by booking a private car and driver to take you around. Avoid the hassle of figuring out public transportation and losing time getting to places that are far apart. Your English speaking driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the attractions that you want to see, and wait as you explore them at your own pace.

Even though you could spend weeks checking off Kyoto’s sights, there’s still plenty to see beyond the city limits. This private day trip helps you make the most of your time in Arashiyama and Nara by providing a private vehicle and eliminating the hassle of public transportation. Not only that—you’ll have plenty of time to spend with the famous deer of Nara Park.