Top Kyoto How to Get Around - page 3

Even if you’ve only got limited time in Japan, the country’s super-speedy bullet trains let you maximize your days there—but lining up to buy tickets can take hours. This private day trip lets you tick off the highlights of Kyoto and Nara from Tokyo within a day, saving you hours of logistical planning and helping you avoid navigating websites in Japanese. Your guide will meet you at your arrival station so you can jump straight into sightseeing. Note that while bullet train booking is taken care of, the ticket isn't included in the tour price.

Rest your feet whilst sightseeing around Kyoto on this private rickshaw tour. Meet your rider, then relax as you pass the city's highlights and landmarks. Pass by the Tatsumi Bridge, Shoren-in Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and more. Ideal for travelers who want to break up their vacation itinerary with something a little more leisurely.

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 private tour with a local host is the perfect introduction for first-time visitors to Kyoto. Get invaluable tips on which tourist traps to bypass, discover hidden gems that locals love, and ask plenty of questions along the way. Highlights on the tour route include Kennin-ji Temple, Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine, and stunning views from Shijo Bridge.

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.

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.

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.

Discover Kyoto’s celebrated cuisine on a small-group guided tour of the city’s top food spots. Begin at the 400-year-old Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” where hundreds of shops and stalls showcase the flavors of the region. With your guide leading the way, learn about Kyoto’s rich culinary history and taste specialties you might otherwise miss. Enjoy the chance to explore the surrounding neighborhood with confidence, without worrying about navigating the busy streets on your own.

Prepare for battle and learn the skills of the samurai during an interactive class studying the ancient Japanese martial art of kenbu. Learn everything from basic choreography movements to more complex actions that incorporate a sword and folding fan. After your class, participate in a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion and a souvenir towel.

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.

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.

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.

With this car tour, you don’t have to worry about delays waiting for other passengers, as the trip is completely private and just for your personal group. Enjoy the ultimate VIP service with hotel pickup and drop-off included, and an exciting itinerary planned out for you with stops such as Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the atmospheric geisha district of Gion.

Walk beneath the glowing torii gates of Fushimi Inari and explore the timeless streets of Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district, under the soft evening lights. Discover the world of geisha and maiko as your local guide shares hidden stories, takes stunning photos, and ensures a smooth and unforgettable Kyoto night tour experience!

Enrich yourself with the fascinating history of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO-listed temples and shrines during this full-day from Osaka or Kyoto. Explore the seemingly endless "torii" gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, explore Kinkaku-ji temple, and stroll the bamboo-lined paths of Arashiyama.

Japan is known for Zen meditation, and this special experience offers rare access to a temple that isn’t usually open to the public. Take part in a small-group Zen meditation session led by a monk, who explains the core principles and shares special insights that you wouldn’t hear anywhere else. After the introduction, enjoy the opportunity to try out meditating in this serene and very atmospheric setting.

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.

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. Have lunch there, then return to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Your expert guide shares important details about Hiroshima's heartbreaking history and remarkable recovery throughout this unforgettable tour.

Experience the essence of Japan in one unforgettable day! Discover sacred Shirahige Shrine’s floating torii, ride Japan’s fastest ropeway to breathtaking Lake Biwa views, explore the hidden Zen beauty of Sanzen-in Temple, and visit the floating Ukimido Hall at sunrise. Indulge in local sweets at La Collina, a fairytale village designed by famed architect Terunobu Fujimori. Perfect for families, friends, and culture lovers seeking stunning scenery, tradition, and local flavors — this tour is a journey through Japan’s heart and soul.

Traditional Japanese crafts are tricky for outsiders to try their hand at. This class at the Kyoto Shibori Museum guides you through the technique of how to dye a silk scarf using the kyo-arashi shibori method. You can customize your scarf to your own color preferences and leave with an elegant scarf to serve as a souvenir of your trip to Kyoto. While your fabric is drying, you are free to browse the museum displays and try on a shibori kimono.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Discover the historic environs of Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as you explore Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park on this excursion from Kyoto. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 deer.

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.

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.