Top Kyoto Historical Tours

This guided tour helps you discover Kyoto’s dispersed temples, shrines, and cultural attractions in one day. Save time researching and planning your trip, by having the itinerary organized for you. Travel in an air-conditioned coach for a hassle-free day. Highlights include Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple—admission tickets are included for all.

Kyoto’s Arashiyama district is famous for its bamboo grove, but it’s more than just a place to take a great photo. Learn about Arashiyama’s history, temples, and culture from your guide on this small-group walking tour. Arashiyama is usually teeming with tourists, so this tour also whisks you away to hidden gems that are far less crowded, including Tenryuji Temple, Okochi Sanso Garden, and the Monkey Forest.

Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking or driving tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this private tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary, with a guide to provide commentary and insights. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Entrance fees extra.

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.

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.

Discover both modern and traditional sides of history-rich Kyoto during this full-day private tour. Travel like a local by public transportation as you tick off the city’s most celebrated sights, from UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle to the well-preserved neighborhood of Higashiyama and streets of Gion, otherwise known as Kyoto’s Geisha district.

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.

Soak up the historical atmosphere of Kyoto on a small-group walking tour. Immerse yourself in the history of the former Japanese capital as your guide leads you to the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. Learn more about these historic landmarks in a few hours than youever could on your own.

Enjoy a world of quiet elegance at Nishiki Orizuruya. All plans include kimono rental (with free hair styling for women) and are guided in English. 1. Authentic Tea Ceremony: After a captivating demonstration, learn to whisk your own matcha using a traditional bamboo whisk. Your prepared tea is paired with exquisite, seasonal Wagashi (traditional sweets) sourced from a celebrated 100-year-old Kyoto confectionery shop. 2. Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy: Combine the meditative art of tea with the flow of brush and ink. After savoring your matcha and sweets, learn to write your favorite kanji using a brush and ink. A great chance to create a personal keepsake. 3. Tea Ceremony & Guided Nishiki Market Tour: Enjoy the complete tea ceremony experience, then set out on a culinary adventure. Explore the bustling stalls of "Kyoto’s Kitchen" (Nishiki Market), hidden local shrines, and ancient specialty shops to discover the deep roots of Kyoto's food culture.

Enjoy this half day walking tour of beautiful Kyoto. You’ll be led by your English speaking guide. Learn about the history, culture, religion, and the nature of this area. You’ll make stops at the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, Tatsumi Bridge, Chion-in Temple, Maruyama Park, Nene-no-Michi, Yasaka Pagoda, and Ninen Zaka Path.

The subway system and local bus network can be very confusing for tourists visiting Kyoto, so save yourself the risk of getting lost and opt for this worry-free private tour instead. Door-to-door hotel transfers are included, and a guide takes you to a selection of key sights, such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, or Nishiki Market.

The red gates of Kyoto's Fushimi-Inari are beloved of travelers, but this to leads to overcrowding during the day. Avoid the big crowds with this small-group nighttime walking tour. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the shrine as evening falls and learn about its historical and cultural significance from your guide.

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.

Fans of samurai and ninja history—this one’s for you. Enjoy an immersive tour in Kyoto where a guide takes you around the Samurai and Ninja Museum. See preserved artifacts up close and enjoy hands-on experiences during your visit, such as wearing samurai armor, throwing a ninja star, and posing with replica swords.

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. Take a journey through time in Kyoto, where tradition blends harmoniously with modernity. Marvel at Kinkaku-ji, the golden temple known as the Golden Pavilion, which showcases the beauty of this timeless city. Visit Nijo Castle, celebrated for its palace buildings, which are among the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan's feudal era. The castle was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Explore the magnificent torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and visit the Arashiyama area, which includes the serene Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, and the beautiful Kimono Forest. Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, experience a magical fusion of nature and history with our friendly and professional guide.

With this small-group walking tour, you can focus on just one area of Kyoto—the geisha district of Gion. Enjoy a deep dive of this culturally-rich neighborhood, including fascinating insights about the world of geisha that you’d miss if exploring alone. Along the way, stroll past hidden tea shops, hear stories about samurai, and get lots of great tips for your Kyoto adventures.

Unlock Kyoto's magic with a passionate local host who brings the city to life beyond any guidebook. From iconic temples to hidden gems, your experience is tailored to your pace and interests. Immerse yourself in rich traditions, uncover local secrets, and enjoy spontaneous, unforgettable moments—just like exploring with a friend on a vibrant, culture-filled adventure.

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.

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Get an insider’s perspective on facts about geisha culture that tourists usually miss, and pass by shops, shrines, and beautiful temples. To elevate your experience, the tour also includes a geisha show with an apprentice geisha, where you can watch a dance performance and ask questions.

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.

Experience an authentic tea ceremony, which is at the heart of Japanese culture and is a centuries old ritual, in Kyoto. You’ll be provided with a tea bowl, tea scoops and whisks, and instruction on how to make matcha. You’ll also try matcha and sweets, and you are encouraged to ask questions. Photos and short videos are permitted. Usually guests sit on the floor, but chairs and tables are also available if preferred.

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.