Top Kyoto Water Tours

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.

Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.

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.

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.

Guided by a former maiko, this private boat cruise offers a rare glimpse into kyoto's elegant Geisha culture. Float along the scenic Katsura River and Oi River in Arashiyama, enjoy a live shamisen performance, and experience traditional Japanese party games in an intimate, authentic setting. A uniquely immersive cultural journey that blends nature, music, and heritage. Please note: This boat experience uses a traditional Japanese navigation method, steering with a single bamboo pole as done over 1,200 years ago. Because of this, the cruise may be canceled even on sunny days if the river conditions are not safe, or if the wind is too strong, as the pole may break and safety cannot be guaranteed. As this is an outdoor activity deeply connected to nature, we kindly ask for your understanding in case of last-minute cancellations by the boat operator. In such cases, you will receive a full refund. NOTE2: If any participants are under the age of 12, please inform us in advance.

Come with us to enjoy a half-day discovery tour of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, departing from Kyoto Station. Aboard the Michigan Cruise, admire the picturesque scenery as you cruise the calm waters of Lake Biwa for an hour and a half. Explore the charming town of Otsu and be captivated by the region's natural beauty. This tour is perfect for nature and culture lovers, offering a relaxing and scenic experience. - Departure from Kyoto Station for Lake Biwa - 1.5-hour cruise aboard the Michigan Cruise - Discover the town of Otsu and its landscapes - Ideal for nature and culture lovers Are you coming? We're waiting for you!

Come discover Chikubushima Island, on Lake Biwa, on this four-hour walking and public transport tour! Meet us at Kyoto Station, and off we go! Head to Imazu Port on the shores of Lake Biwa. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan and the third oldest in the world. You'll be able to admire this monumental testament to the planet's geological age. Then take the ferry to Chikubushima, an island in the middle of the lake. Lush flora and fauna welcome you. It's perfect for nature lovers! Then head deeper into this small island to visit the Hogon-ji Buddhist temple and the Itsukusuma Shinto shrine. You'll learn more about Japan's religious and medieval history.

Explore the serene beauty of Arashiyama on this captivating day tour, featuring visits to unique temples and a scenic bamboo grove. Discover the whimsical stone figures at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, contemplate the memorial stones at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, and stroll along the historic Saga-Toriimoto Street. Experience tranquility at the UNESCO-listed Tenryū-ji Temple before immersing yourself in the enchanting bamboo forest. Conclude your day with a private river cruise on the Katsura River, hosted by a former maiko who shares Kyoto's rich cultural heritage through music and storytelling. - Visit iconic sites including Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and Tenryū-ji Temple - Enjoy a private boat cruise on the Katsura River with a former maiko - Stroll through Arashiyama's famous bamboo grove and preserved streets - Experience local culture and history in a small group setting This tour requires an easy level of fitness. We use buses and boats, so unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible at this time.

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.

Experience Japan’s scenic northern Kyoto coast on this full-day tour from Kyoto or Osaka. Start at **Ine**, a traditional fishing village, with 1 hour of free time to stroll along the waterfront and admire the unique “funaya” boat houses. Next, travel to **Kasamatsu Park** and board a sightseeing boat to **Amanohashidate**. Your boat ticket is included, offering relaxing views of Miyazu Bay. At **Amanohashidate**, enjoy 2.5 hours of free time. Walk along the pine-covered sandbar, visit Chion-ji Temple, or take the included cable car for panoramic views. All key tickets and transportation are included for a seamless, relaxing day trip. **Highlights:** * Free walking at Ine village (1 hour) * Scenic boat ride from Kasamatsu Park (ticket included) * Explore Amanohashidate with cable car ticket included * 2.5 hours of free time at Amanohashidate * Round-trip transport from Kyoto or Osaka

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.

Come with us to visit the Shinto Itsukushima-jinja Shrine for half a day! We will leave Osaka or Kyoto to visit Miyajima Island, famous for its Shinto shrine Itsukushima and for its torii, emblematic shinto gate inside the sea. Let’s feel together the calm and serenity of the place, with its free-ranging Shika deer and abundant surrounding nature. During this half-day tour, accompanied by your expert guide in Japanese history, you will discover the medieval and religious History of Japan.You will have a day rich in history, reflection and nature. Are you coming? We are waiting for you!

Enjoy a private day trip from Kyoto or Osaka to Hiroshima with hotel pickup and round-trip bullet train tickets included. Visit Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima in one well-planned tour. This tour combines Hiroshima’s iconic scenery, powerful peace heritage, and modern city energy in a single day. Pickup is available from hotels within 10 km of Kyoto Station or Osaka Station. Guests in the Osaka area will normally board the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka Station. The tour lasts approximately 12 hours, and the itinerary may change depending on train schedules, ferry operations, weather, traffic, and crowd conditions. Please note: stadium interior access is not guaranteed. On certain days, you can enter Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima for free. If you're interested in a stadium tour, please let us know.

Naoshima, commonly known as Japan's art island, is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea and is one of the most popular places in Japan. Departing from Osaka or Kyoto, you can enjoy the charm of Naoshima for two days. ・You can enjoy to go around Naoshima island by bicycle (with power-assisted bicycle, e-bike) with Private English Speaking guide. ・Chichu Art Museum (excluded entrance ticket's fee : 2100 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) ・Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors(excluded entrance ticket's fee : 1500 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) *there is possible to take a time to visit more 2 spots.

Eat your way through Kyoto on this private food tour with a local host. Discover the city's rich culinary scene while tasting 10 of the dishes most loved by locals, from savory snacks such as gyoza and takoyaki to desserts such as Japanese pepper ice cream. In between food stops, you'll see some of the highlights of the city and receive personalized recommendations for the rest of your trip.

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.

Discover the sights of Kyoto that interest you the most on this customizable sightseeing tour. Alongside a private driver-guide, make an itinerary of your desired attractions or get recommendations to create your perfect day. Whether you want to focus on temples, culture, shopping, or Japanese history, this tour has everything covered for you.