Top Kansai How to Get Around in 2026

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.

Discover hidden hiking routes that you likely wouldn’t find alone on this guided tour near the spectacular Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine—a place known for its bright orange torii gates. Following a guide, venture off paved paths and onto secret forest trails to the famous attraction, passing a natural bamboo forest, and a small shrine that’s off the usual tourist trail. The trip also reveals scenic views of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle.

This is not just a sake tasting — it’s a 3-hour experience that will completely change how you understand and choose sake in Japan. Led by a sake specialist, you’ll go beyond “sweet or dry” and learn how sake is actually made, why flavors differ, and how to identify your own preferences with confidence. Visit the historic Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, then enjoy a guided tasting of multiple styles of sake paired with traditional snacks — with clear, practical explanations you can use anywhere in Japan. By the end of the tour, you will know which type of sake you truly like and how to select it without hesitation - enjoy sake not just during your travels, but as part of your life. Date full? Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum on your own, then join our 1.5-hour session to learn how to choose sake you’ll love.

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.

Arashiyama’s bamboo forest is one of Kyoto’s most visited attractions so it can get pretty busy. Avoid the crowds by taking an early morning bicycle tour. Enjoy the forest and temples at their most serene, and take photos without strangers getting in the way. Get active while on vacation and visit some other Arashiyama highlights throughout the morning.

Experience Osaka's nightlife like a local with this small-group izakaya pub crawl. Enjoy a mix of food, drinks, and more as you visit hidden gems near Dotonbori that many tourists miss. Avoid getting lost in the bustling area and let your guide help you navigate any language barriers at each location.

Discover Shinsekai, an Osaka neighborhood filled with neon lights and old-school charm, through its food on this walking tour. Visit eateries beloved by locals, each offering a different taste of Osaka’s food culture and atmosphere—from lively kushikatsu spots to cozy neighborhood favorites. Enjoy over 15 dishes, sampling a range of dishes from freshly made takoyaki to handmade gyoza.

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, watch two short traditional dances, followed by a question-and-answer session, and play a classic Japanese game too.

Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) without the stress of navigating unfamiliar transport options, managing luggage on public transit, or coordinating last-minute transfers in Osaka. This pre-booked private service ensures a smooth, timely journey from your accommodation directly to the airport, with a driver meeting you in the city center. With your transfer arranged in advance, you can focus on ending your trip comfortably rather than logistics or timing.

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.

Planning a day trip to Nara can take time, so let a private guide do the hard work instead. This flexible private tour can start in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, with optional private car transportation upgrades. Just pick 3–4 attractions from a list of recommended sights before your tour, then enjoy a personalized tour of your top picks, with a guide to share local history and stories.

Navigate Osaka's bustling food scene like a local by opting for this small-group walking tour. Try several dishes Osaka is famous for, including takoyaki, without falling victim to any tourist traps. Your guide can also help you navigate any language barriers when it comes to ordering food.

Avoid the hassle and language barriers of figuring out Osaka’s public transport system and explore the city in a much more relaxing and scenic way—on a guided bike ride. See green parts of the city, such as Utsubo Park, and get lots of great tips on the city’s best places to eat and drink. The route is easy and 90 percent flat, making it accessible for most riders.

Discover Japan’s second-largest city on a full-day walking tour with a private guide. Visit highlights like Dotombori District, Osaka Castle, Shitenno-Ji Temple, Shinsekai, Koromon Market, and the peaceful Keitaku-en Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden offering a serene retreat. Customize your itinerary to your interests while your guide shares insights on Japan’s history and culture.

Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture with this small-group samurai experience at a traditional samurai house in Kyoto. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior;" handle a real martial arts sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

Foodies in Kyoto that want to experience the local cuisine often opt to explore independently, and inadvertently walk by some of the city's best loved eateries and food shops. On this culinary excursion with a guide to lead the way, you won't miss a thing as you experience some of Kyoto's hidden foodie gems, and sample delicious included treats as you go.

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.

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.

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.

Experience Osaka like never before on a private, fully personalized walking tour with a passionate local host. From vibrant districts to serene shrines, uncover hidden gems, rich history, and dynamic culture—all tailored to your interests. Enjoy immersive stories, cultural insights, and spontaneous discoveries that reveal the city's true essence, making for an unforgettable adventure beyond the guidebooks. Note: This walking tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Ideal for dedicated foodies and anyone wanting to learn more about Japanese cuisine, this small-group food-focused walking tour of Osaka’s Dotonbori and Shinsekai neighborhoods takes in samurai-era merchant streets, narrow alleys, hidden gems, and a Shinto shrine. Sample local specialties such as kushikatsu, okonomiyaki, and takoyaki, and learn more about Osaka’s culture and history.

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.

If your time in Kyoto is limited and you want to see lots of its famous sights in a day, then this private guided tour is an excellent choice. Explore the city with a private guide to take care of navigating. Along the way, tick off 10 top attractions including the beautiful temple of Kiyomizu-dera, the geisha district of Gion, lush bamboo groves, and plenty more scenic surprises.

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto."