All Kyoto Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Kyoto Tea Ceremony with Kimono near Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

Limited to **2 Groups per Day** We only provide **Local English-Speaking Guides** We have experience guiding Hollywood actors, including Lance Gross. 【Available exclusively】 2026 Autom Light-up Schedule Arashiyama 9/30 ~ 11/8 To-ji Temple 10/31 ~ 12/13 Katsuo-ji Temple 11/1 ~ 11/30 (only Sunday & Saturday) Kiyomizu Temple 11/21~11/30 Light-Up Tour Historic temples, serene bamboo groves, and majestic waterfalls transform into vibrant landscapes of glowing autumn foliage during this special seasonal night illumination tour. Merging heritage sites with modern lighting artistry, the journey features Arashiyama's bamboo path, To-ji’s five-story pagoda reflecting on pond waters, Katsuo-ji and Minoh Waterfall, and the panoramic night view from Kiyomizu-dera's famous wooden stage. Designed for international travelers, this journey offers a seamless way to experience the peak of Japanese autumn aesthetics after dark. We Are a Tour Guide Service Company

Kyoto Private Night Tour with Autumn Illumination (Hotel Pick-up)

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

Create your own one-of-a-kind ring from vintage coins in this hands-on workshop in Kyoto. This unique experience allows you to transform real coins into a wearable piece of jewelry, combining craftsmanship with history. You can choose from a selection of Japanese vintage coins as well as coins from around the world. Each coin carries its own story, design, and origin, allowing you to create a ring that is both meaningful and personal. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will shape and finish your ring step by step with guidance, making it easy for anyone to join without prior experience. This experience is especially popular for couples, friends, and solo travelers who want to create something memorable together. Your handmade ring becomes not only a stylish accessory, but also a lasting memory from your time in Japan. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your custom-made ring as a unique and personal souvenir.

Kyoto Ring Making Experience: Vintage Japanese Coin Ring

GEAR Theatre Kyoto – The Wordless Show Where 350,000+ Guests Have Laughed and Cried Make your autumn trip to Kyoto even more memorable with GEAR, a 90-minute theater experience where the story unfolds without a single word. No Japanese required. Step inside an intimate 72-seat theater and discover a moving story brought to life through breakdancing, mime, juggling, and magic. Projection mapping and LED costumes add to the spectacle, while the characters’ expressions and interactions draw you into moments of laughter, surprise, and emotion. Whether you’re visiting Kyoto as a couple, with friends, or with family, GEAR adds a live performance to your autumn sightseeing plans. Enjoy an indoor experience that brings you close to the action, whatever the weather. Approx. 90 minutes | No Japanese required | Intimate 72-seat theater Check available dates and showtimes to make GEAR part of your autumn Kyoto itinerary.

GEAR Kyoto: Non-Verbal Theater Show Admission Ticket

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to bring back from Japan, then this hands-on workshop fits the bill. Enjoy the special opportunity to learn how to design and make your own wooden chopsticks from scratch. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried anything like this before—it’s a beginner-friendly session with step-by-step guidance. Then, at the end, take home your beautifully wrapped chopsticks—perfect to keep or give as a thoughtful gift.

Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option

Explore Kyoto in Comfort and Style! Discover the beauty of Kyoto with a private Kyoto day tour by car with Ashan Global Tours. Enjoy comfortable private transportation and the flexibility to explore the city's most famous attractions at your own pace. Visit Kyoto's iconic landmarks, including Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. With an English-speaking driver and a customizable itinerary, you can plan your day around your interests and travel preferences. Whether you want to discover historic temples, explore traditional streets, or enjoy Kyoto's beautiful scenery, this private tour offers a flexible and convenient way to experience the city. Create your own Kyoto adventure and enjoy a memorable day in Japan!

Private Kyoto Customizable Day Tour with English Speaking Driver

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Kyoto Hozugawa River Boat Sagano Romantic Train Tour

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Kyoto: Nijo Castle World Heritage Guided Tour with Admission

Discover the wonders of Kyoto in a day, without having to do any research, thanks to this hassle-free private tour. To help you feel like a VIP, the route is customized to suit your interests and preferences—something you wouldn’t get on a bus tour. Potential stops on the tour include some of Kyoto's most well-known attractions such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama bamboo groves.

Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver

5 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

Kyoto is the perfect city to explore by bike, and this guided e-bike tour removes the need for route planning or map reading. With e-bike rental included and a guide leading the way, you can enjoy a carefully chosen route that reveals hidden gems and peaceful corners many visitors miss. Alongside quieter spots, you can also enjoy views of major landmarks, such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nanzen-ji Temple.

Kyoto E-Bike Tour of Hidden Gems Backstreets and Temples

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Get a deeper experience of Kyoto food culture than would be possible on your own by joining this guided food tour. Stroll through the districts of Gion and Pontocho, stopping into small bars and restaurants to sample traditional drinks and food that have been carefully chosen to make up a full meal. The experience also includes the opportunity to try three different types of local sake too.

Kyoto Premium Night Foodie Tour in Gion(9+dishes + Sake tastings)

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

This activity offers an immersive cultural experience that goes beyond sightseeing by allowing guests to actively participate in Japanese craftsmanship. Instead of simply viewing finished products, participants gain insider insight into how Japanese kitchen tools are designed for long-term use and everyday cooking. The hands-on format creates a deeper connection to the craft, making the experience both educational and memorable. Taking home a finished knife adds lasting value, as the skills and understanding gained during the workshop can be appreciated each time the knife is used. This experience is ideal for curious travelers, food lovers, creative visitors, and those interested in Japanese culture and design. It is also well suited for couples, solo travelers, and small groups looking for a unique, meaningful activity in Kyoto that combines learning, creativity, and tradition in a relaxed setting.

Kyoto: Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knife Finishing Workshop

Kyoto: Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knife Finishing Workshop

30 minutes to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Sushi Making in Kyoto! Same-day bookings welcome!

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.

Elegant Tea Ceremony While Wearing Kimono Experience in Kyoto

Kyoto; Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

Kyoto's two greatest power centers sit minutes apart, yet most travelers visit one without ever understanding how they shaped each other. This private tour tells the complete story — from the Shogun's calculated display of dominance in 1603 to the dramatic moment power was surrendered back to the Emperor in 1867. ✨Stand inside Ninomaru Palace on the famous nightingale floors, engineered to catch assassins ✨Discover how Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace defined 265 years of Japanese history ✨Enjoy an unhurried private experience with a Kyoto local as your guide ✨Walk the imperial gardens where the shogunate finally came to an end

Special Offer

Kyoto: 2.5-Hour Private Nijo Castle & Imperial Palace Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Kyoto Arashiyama Chopstick Making Workshop

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.

Special Offer

From Osaka or Kyoto: Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kyoto

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Create your own pair of traditional Japanese chopsticks in this hands-on workshop in Kyoto. In this beginner-friendly experience, you will shape, sand, and finish your chopsticks while learning about their role in Japanese daily life and culture. The workshop includes Japanese hinoki (cypress) wood at no additional cost, known for its light weight and pleasant natural aroma. Guests may also choose to upgrade to other premium woods such as whitewood, cherry, walnut, or purpleheart for an additional fee, each offering a unique color and texture. Throughout the experience, your guide will explain the cultural background of chopsticks and Japanese craftsmanship in a simple and engaging way. No prior experience is needed, and all steps are carefully guided. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your handmade chopsticks as a meaningful and personal souvenir from Japan. This experience is perfect for travelers looking for a creative, cultural, and memorable activity in Kyoto.

Kyoto Chopstick Making Class with Engraving Option

Many travelers to Kyoto make a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest without exploring the surrounding area. This small-group walking tour ensures you don't make the same mistake. Go beyond the bamboo and discover such serene spots as the private Okochi Sanso garden, where matcha is served in a former tea house; Tenryu-ji temple; Arashiyama shopping street; Togetsukyo Bridge; and Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Special Offer

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.

Kyoto Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show with Dining Options

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Roketsu dyeing experience: M course Roketsu Dyeing Experience

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Must-Dos in Kyoto

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What are people saying about Kyoto

Kyoto Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Geisha

Serina_T, Nov 2026

Don’t miss this fun and entertaining evening! You won’t regret including this in your itinerary!

What an incredibly fun and entertaining evening!! The show at Kyoto Sumo Club was fantastic and we had such a wonderful time. This show is not to be missed and definitely must be a part of your Kyoto visit! Admittedly, when I initially booked this, it was because of my husband’s interest in the show. I thought I’d go along, but wasn’t sure if I’d like it. How wrong I was! It was one of the most fun things we did during our trip to Japan. Once we arrived and checked in, we were informed that we had been upgraded and we were seated on the couches at the very front in front of the sumo wrestling ground. We had the best unobstructed view and felt like we were part of the action the the entire time. Starting with the food, it was delicious!! Drinks were also included and unlimited throughout the show. The service was excellent throughout the whole show, with speedy service after any order placed. The evening commenced with geishas dancing and it was lovely to see their performance and have an opportunity to see their gorgeous outfits and impressive makeup and hair! The sumo wrestling show was next, and it was wonderfully entertaining the entire time. The crowd was laughing non-stop as the wrestlers and host incorporated entertainment, fun and comedic comments into the show. The show allowed for learning about sumo wrestling, demonstration of various sumo moves, information about sumo traditions, and finally, a sumo wrestling match. Afterwards, audience members were able to come forward to seek a chance to take on the wrestlers as well, which was very fun and entertaining. The evening finished with photo opportunities with both the sumo wrestlers and the geishas, including a printed photos as your take-home souvenir, and photos on your chosen personal device/phone. Also included was a gift bag with some goodies for each person to take home. We could not recommend this enough. We had an absolute blast and the entire crowd was clearly feeling the same way. No matter what country you are from, this event will entertain you and you will not regret it. Highly recommend during a stay in Kyoto! The Kyoto Sumo Club is not to be missed!!

Hiroshima & Miyajima 1-Day Tour from Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima

Eric_C, Nov 2026

A tour that everyone should experience

This was an excellent day. I didn't know anything about Miyajima Island - just saw it as an add-on to my intended trip to Hiroshima, but it was an interesting and enjoyable start to the day. The tour of Hiroshima though was moving and well laid out. Akie was an excellent guide. As a local she was very knowledgeable. But she was also engaging and personable and her personal story added to the day. A very moving trip - seeing what man's inhumanity to man can result in.

From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour

Kathryn_G, Nov 2026

Beautiful Day in Kyoto and Nara

Our tour guide, Joy was a pleasure to work with as it was wonderful she made an exception to provide an assigned seat for my husband who’s physically challenged. She also pointed out an elevator to make it easier for him to access the torii gates. Joy was a fabulous guide as she created a “What’s Ap thread” for the group for communication purposes which was very helpful. People used it to communicate with her and at times she included her precise loxation. She also pointed out points of interest, gave us background and included restaurants too on the What’s Ap thread. She was veey knowledgeable very mindful and pointed; out landmarks with specific directions so people wouldn’t get lost. Our bus driver did an outstanding job on driving us and the bus was very clean. We enjoyed the tour and highly recommend it

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Jonathan_T, Nov 2026

Great tour. Thank you, Yuki!

Yuki was a fantastic guide that showed us through the Gion area respectfully and knowledgeably. We got to see numerous geikos and maikos as well as sites that ate precious to them. Great to do on a first night in case you're looking for a local perspective on the city as well as recommendations on how to fill your remaining days.

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Peter_M, Oct 2026

Excellent tour - highly recommended.

Excellent tour visiting all the 'must see' sites around Kyoto including beautiful World Heritage listed temples and shrines. Our guide, At-Chan, was fantastic- providing information on all the sites and teaching us a few Japnese words and a bit about Japanese culture. The driver, Ibuki, was friendly and fun. I would like to have spent more time at some sites but not possible in 1 day. I recommend doing this tour when you first get to Kyoto so you can go back and spend more time at sites you like.

Full Day Tour of Kyoto with Private Transportation

Tony_B, Oct 2026

Had a wonderful time!...

Had a wonderful time! Christine was energetic throughout despite the long tour hours. She was an exceptional guide who could clearly articulate historical nuances about distant relics while also pointing us to a good coffee shop. She offered a flexible, well-designed itinerary; we also never felt rushed. Would certainly recommend this tour…

Authentic Knife Making Experience at a Blacksmith in Kyoto

Rom_S, Oct 2026

The first part was...

The first part was forging the knife out of a piece of metal using a hammer, which demanded considerable strength. Then, we sharpened the knife to its final form and made the edge. You can choose one of a number of shapes to make the knife into. The knife came out looking great, and the experience was a lot of fun. The staff was very professional and helpful, managing the experience, giving advice and fixing our mistakes :) Overall, highly recommended!

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour

Paul_M, Oct 2026

Great tour

Akemi was a wonderful guide. She reached out before the tour to ensure we saw everything we wanted to see, plus suggest some more. She is an enthusiastic booster for her city and is full of good information. She has a fun personality. Importantly, she checked in a few times prior to the tour to make sure our meeting went smoothly.

Hiroshima & Miyajima Tour From Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka

Hailey_W, Oct 2026

Hiroshima and Miyazima Island

Mitzuke (if this is her correct name) guided us on wonderful tour of the Hiroshima atomic dome, memorial area and museum. Before heading to Miyazima Island. The fact that she came from Hiroshima and her family experienced the atom bomb dropping on the 6th of August 1945, makes her the most ideal tour guide for such a melancholy but essential cultural, historic trip. She was so kind, full of knowledge and super friendly. Everyone on the tour enjoyed her stories and her beautiful character. I hope to meet you again one day. Thanks again Viator for organising another fantastic tour that is as always amazing value for money <3.

Kyoto: Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries

Robert_G, Oct 2026

Kyoto Great Food

Our tour guide Paris was impressive, offering rich insights into Kyoto’s history and guiding us to several excellent restaurants. The meals were abundant and delicious; we arrived hungry but left full. We enjoyed the conversations with Paris and the two other couples on the tour, making it a memorable experience. I would strongly recommend this food tour.

Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto

Stacey_K, Sept 2026

Fun, interactive cooking class!

Fun interactive cooking class where you actually cook your own meal! This was a super fun course where we learned a lot about Japanese ramen’s history as well as the ingredients that make it delicious. The instructor, Elsa, was informative as well as adorable in getting to know each of us during our session.