Top Kyoto Shows & Performances

This was a really unique, special experience for us. Tourists don't always get the opportunity to speak with real maiko or geisha, but this event offered us the chance to speak with her authentically about her life, skills, and work. Our tour guide met us in advance of the tea house, so we were able to ask him any questions about protocol. He also served as our interpreter. While you may ask if you are allowed to take photos of the maiko, we were asked to not share any identifying photos online, to protect the privacy of the maiko.

Ryu was a great host on this food tour! We started with multiple delicious dishes at an izakaya, then took a lovely walk to Yasaka shrine while we waited on our next snack. Ryu explained about the Shinto religion and the meaning of the writing on the lanterns. Then our next snack was ready: pork cutlets on skewers! They were so crispy and delicious. Our last stop was sushi and tempura and that was phenomenal as well. Ryu explained about all the dishes we ate and how locals would typically enjoy them. Conversation was easy and enjoyable. This was a really delightful food tour and I highly recommend it if you find yourself in Kyoto!

Mia was a superb guide on our tour of two historic palaces, and the lovely garden next to one of them. She not only explained what we were viewing, but she also offered an historical and/or cultural context that was very informative. She answered questions knowledgeably. Although the palaces were interesting, Mia’s commentary really added to our understanding of these sites.

Be prepared to be spellbound - I’m not sure if these people are actors or if they actually train in the art of the samurai or both but it was like watching small segments in a live opera but no singing! The narrator comes in and introduces the scene - usually a historical battle, then the actors come on and enact it. It was fantastic. They use real katanas too. At the end you can have your picture taken in the correct pose with a katana. I think it was one of the best things I did on my trip.

Rob was an absolute pro! Clear, safe, fun, informative, and professional. First, logistics. Bike tours in cities make me nervous, but Rob knew every possible (intuitive) signal for his riders, cars, and pedestrians, so I could enjoy looking around without constant stress. The ride was challenging, but extremely fun (I used electric, my husband did fine but is an experienced biker). Rob also maximized info, answering streams of questions while riding and during frequent, shaded breaks. Rob also communicated with us clearly before and after the tour. Second, content. Rob was equally comfortable and clear communicating with locals and sharing information with us. He’s an American who has lived in Japan for decades, so his English and Japanese were perfect. He also knew a lot about the sites we visited (including tricks to save time and avoid crowds), and told us if he didn’t know something or if an answer was just his opinion (he takes academic rigor seriously). My husband particularly liked asking him about the Japanese language, and Rob was able to finally answer some questions that had stumped other guides. We learned so many fascinating things about Rob and from his thoughtful insights into Japanese culture. Being on bikes, we also got to ride through some beautiful parts of Kyoto that we would have missed just aiming for tourist destinations. We enjoyed many of the parks, neighborhoods, and landscapes as much as the destinations. Other high points: Rob customized tour content on the spot, letting us cut one spot and replace it with another. Lunch was great. Snacks were awesome! Rob always had water for us. Plus, he took photos so we could spend our time being in the moment. My only complaint: the cost of the electric bike was a bit high (roughly $40 USD), and is likely important for many riders. But that’s probably not on Rob. Overall, we’d highly recommend this tour, especially with Rob.