Top Kyoto Prefecture Dining Experiences - page 2

Enjoy a cooking class in an atmospheric setting—a beautiful wooden house in Kyoto. The cooking experience introduces you to local recipes that you wouldn’t be able to find in restaurants, and techniques that have been passed down through many generations of the host’s family. Dishes prepared vary depending on the time of year, but sample menu items could be chikuzenni (braised chicken and vegetables), braised burdock root, and miso soup.

Travelers who love Japanese food and want to learn how to make it at home will enjoy this cooking lesson experience. Tour a local market and learn about Japanese ingredients, as well as how to select the best ones. Take a cooking lesson in your instructor’s home, and also see how the locals live and dine. Enjoy eating what you produce afterwards.

This vegan food tour highlights small, family-run shops loved by Kyoto locals—not tourist chains. Rather than focusing on labels, it shows how Kyoto’s culture naturally supports plant-based food. Led by a Kyoto-based host with over 10 years of local experience, guests gain insider access to hidden spots in the Umekoji area. Through storytelling and tastings rooted in Buddhist culture and shojin ryori, travelers learn why plant-based cuisine has thrived here for centuries. The tour moves at a relaxed pace through quiet neighborhoods and ends with Japanese tea and seasonal vegan sweets in a 100-year-old machiya, offering a calm and authentic taste of local life.

お寿司を作ります 手を洗います •握り寿司のシャリを作ってみましょう •ネタをのせます •お好みでわさびをつけます •シャリにネタを乗せて、一つ完成です •次は巻き寿司です •巻いたお寿司は大将が切ってくれます •軍艦巻きも作りましょう •それぞれに海苔の大きさが違います •卵やエビのアレルギーがある方は事前にお知らせください。 •作ったお寿司を並べたら、【いただきます】をしましょう ランチタイム •お寿司、天ぷら、赤だし、お漬物、ソフトドリンクでランチタイムです

Exclusive Access: Experience Cafe DAS like never before—as a private theater after closing time. Intimate Atmosphere: With limited seating, every guest has a front-row view of the impossible. World-Class Magic: Enjoy a curated performance featuring close-up magic, mind-reading, and storytelling. Signature Drinks: Sip on a complimentary specialty beverage crafted specifically for the evening's performance. Hidden Gem: Perfect for couples, groups of friends, or solo travelers looking for a sophisticated night out.

【Comments from the planner】 I’m a professional guide — not a bartender — but I love whisky so much that I ended up creating this tour anyway. I’ve tasted whiskies from all over the world, yet Japanese whisky is still my favorite. I’m not big on heavily peated, smoky whiskies, so the smooth, delicate, and beautifully aromatic style of many Japanese whiskies really speaks to me. Of course, Japan also produces wonderfully smoky expressions, which shows just how wide and fascinating the range truly is. In recent years, micro-distilleries have been popping up all across Japan, adding even more depth to the whisky scene. Japanese whisky is now famous worldwide, but I believe there are still plenty of incredible bottles that can only be enjoyed here in Japan. The more you learn, the deeper and more fun the world of Japanese whisky becomes — and I’d love to explore it with you. This tour is basically my personal passion project, and I’m the only one on the team who guides it. Kenji

Drinking cold beers in the hot summer night is a good way to finish your day. In Japan, people have been enjoying beers in a "beer hall" style for decades. Beer Hall usually setup at the hotel or restaurant where people enjoy beers and appetizers. For this special event, Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater is opening their venue for you to enjoy! In the beginning of the event, there will be a short tour of the theater. Pontocho is one of the Kyoto's Five Geisha Districts. The theater has been loved the locals and since 1920's. After the tour, you get to enjoy all you can drink Suntory beers and 4 appetizers (serve only once). During the drinking hours, you may take photos with the Maiko. There will be a performance by Maiko with an explanation. Before you leave the theater, you'll take home a souvenir (Japanese fan, hand towel and 2 cans of Suntory beer). Please join with the locals and enjoy time with Maiko and beer!

Learn the spirit of tea in a 150-year-old Kyoto townhouse, guided by a tea master in a private setting.

Discover Kyoto's vibrant nightlife with a local bartender. Enjoy sake, whisky, craft beer, and homemade food in the city's best bars and izakayas. Unforgettable experiences await! Itinerary: - Start at Matsukawa for a first drink. A liquor store at Nishiki market's western entrance turns into a bar in the evening. Popular among students and politicians, it's a spot where all walks of life gather. - Head south for an izakaya experience with locals' favorites. Tachinomiyas (standing bars) offer a welcoming setting and fast-paced service, ensuring a great night out. - Then the choice is yours! Downtown Kyoto has much to offer, from high-quality craft beer and top cocktail bars to serious sake shops.

Enjoy the elegance of Ozashiki-asobi in a private setting - an authentic Japanese cultural experience. Ozashiki-asobi is a traditional form of entertainment featuring lively games, music, and dance, typically performed by geiko or maiko in tatami-mat rooms during banquets. This engaging and interactive atmosphere offers a rare opportunity to connect with Kyoto’s refined heritage. We invite you to savor this special experience at our elegant venue!

Join this guided food tour to dive deeper into Kyoto’s culinary culture—an experience you simply couldn't find on your own. Wander through the historic districts of Gion area, stopping at hidden bars and restaurants to savor traditional drinks and dishes carefully curated to leave you feeling fully satisfied. You will also have the chance to sample three varieties of local craft sake. - Discover Kyoto’s authentic food scene and hidden backstreets. - Learn about local culture and history from your expert guide. - Small group sizes ensure a personalized and intimate experience. - Sip & Sightsee: Enjoy a seamless blend of temple visits and local drink tastings. - Hidden Gems: Explore secret local bars and breweries tucked away from the tourist crowds. - Diverse Selection: Taste a wide variety of authentic Kyoto-made beers, spirits, and more. - The Insider’s Kyoto: Learn the history of the city and its drinks from local experts.

I'll be happy to introduce Kyoto’s hidden culture and Kagai (‘Flower Town’Entertainment District) where Maiko and Geiko lives, while paying the greatest respect to the traditional culture of the district’s strict. We have saying "Ichigen-san Okotowari" which means even though Japanese people are not allowed to get in Ochaya for the first sight. Someone familiar with the place and has trust from them needs to introduce you. This is the reason why I take time for dinner with you and explain the details and culture before getting in Ochaya. I believe that would help you enjoy the time with Maiko and Geiko more, and of corse, the perfect dine experience will also be such a wonderful time! The perfect restaurants are prepared, however, I can also accompany the restaurant you would like to dine in. Please let me know anything! It's a private tour for YOU!

What sets this experience apart is the combination of Kyoto’s hidden beauty and a genuine cultural encounter. As a local, I’ll guide you through quiet backstreets and shrines that most visitors miss — places full of history and stories passed down through generations. After the walk, we’ll visit a long-established sake shop where the staff will introduce you to rare regional varieties and the meaning behind them. You won’t just taste sake — you’ll understand its role in Kyoto’s culture. This is more than sightseeing; it’s a deeper, more personal way to experience the heart of the city.

Explore Kyoto's hidden alleys and delicacies with a local guide. Many people assumes that Japan is famous for dishes such as Tempura, Teppanyaki and Sushi. However in Kyoto you will discover dishes that only the local's enjoy. These areas are very difficult to find at first-sight, but with the help of your local guide you too can become one of the locals. You will be able to spend time with the locals and taste the typical Kyoto delicacy at carefully chosen bistro and local bars.

[Highlights] ・Sake bars loved by locals ・Tips & Recommendations for Enjoying Kyoto ・Meet new friends along the way ・Discover the secrets of geisha culture and Kyoto’s rich history ・Chance to Spot a Geisha

You will learn the basic information of soy sauce such as the making process, the variety of soy sauce type. Then taste 5 different types of soy sauce and experience food pairing with each. It includes the tips to how to use each type of soy sauce for daily cooking, so that guests can have more cooking variety even after they are back home. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of Soy sauce.

This experience is dedicated for people who want to go beyond Matcha and know about the world of Japanese tea. This small group activity is offered for the first time to allow guests to discover marvelous and unique products that exist only in Japan. Tea was introduced to Japan from China for the first time in the 9th century, making it the second oldest culture of tea in the world. Since then, Japanese have developed their own teas and perfected their techniques, resulting in gems that you can discover in the presence of an expert. This experience has been created and is delivered by the founder of the Mandaracha Tea House in person. English or French languages are available for this experience.

Learn to make artistic sushi rolls during your own private ‘kazarimaki’ class in Kyoto. Kazarimaki is the art of making designs within a sushi roll, using edible pigments extracted from plants to create colorful patterns in the sushi. Your instructor also provides a kimono (for women) or other traditional garments (for men and children) to wear during the experience.

Led by local host who is a 5th generation Matcha tea farmer, our guests can be a part of legacy passed down for generations. You will have a chance to visit local Matcha Farmers, invited to traditional Japanese style home to enjoy delicately crafted Matcha Lunch Set, participate in Matcha tasting and tea tasting. You will not only learn all about Matcha but also smell, taste, and even take home some of those premium Matcha from farm previously owned by the Imperial Family.

Join us for an authentic tea experience at our bar anytime from morning until 5:00 pm. Each time of day brings its own charm: • Morning – Quiet light and fresh energy to begin your Kyoto day mindfully. • Midday – Bright and vibrant, perfect for a cultural interlude between sightseeing. • Afternoon – Gentle warmth and a slower pace, ideal for reflection before evening. Enjoy usucha—light matcha—served in authentic utensils, followed by your choice of: • Traditional Tea Ceremony – Learn refined gestures, philosophy, and etiquette. • Tasting Experience – Select premium sake, craft cocktail, or specialty coffee. Conclude with one drink of your choice from our menu, leaving with both flavor and memory.

Japan is known for its excellent cuisine, and on this tour, you’ll become a tofu expert! Start your day with a tour of a tofu shop and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the tofu production process. You won’t have to worry about buying ingredients for your cooking class as everything is provided. Enjoy a cooking lesson where you’ll learn to make multiple dishes, and then get to eat them afterwards with a local beer (or soft drink).

-Learn how to make hand-rolled sushi from a seasoned chef. -Enjoy a tradtional Japanese meal with your loved ones. -Be guided through a historically significant machiya.

The Hochoshiki Knife Ceremony is a traditional Japanese culinary ritual from the Heian period, practiced in Kyoto. It involves skilled practitioners wearing ceremonial attire and using a specific style of knife to cut fish into festive shapes without direct contact, a tradition from imperial court celebrations. This art form, primarily performed during special festivals called "Sekkai," is not just about eating but appreciating the craftsmanship and cultural significance of the dish. This Hochoshiki experience allows visitors to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship and the deep-rooted culinary traditions of Japan, making it a memorable part of their visit.