Kyoto · KYOTO GARDENS & ZEN RETREATS
33 bookable options
Compare the route, duration, price and group shape before choosing. The options here make their differences clear, so the booking fits the rest of your Kyoto day.
Kyoto Arashiyama walking tour through bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji garden, and monkey park, with included admissions, small-group guiding, and local tips.
“Great tour! Terri was amazing, helpful, interesting and made the day special. Would definitely recommend.”
Zen meditation and Tofukuji gardens in Kyoto, plus lunch. Small group, included temple access, and quiet monk-led practice.
“I highly recommend this tour. It was probably one of our most memorable moments in Kyoto. Hikari was our guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the different temples, the organization of them and the history. The tour felt very calm and meditative just from her demeanor and voice. The best part of the tour was the one hour meditation. The monk who led the meditation only spoke Japanese, so Hikari prepped us before with what to expect. There was a brief break in the middle, and she also translated for us some of the additional tips and history he shared. At the end, the monk came over and spoke with…”
Sit zazen with Abbot Eitetsu Nishida at Jusho-in, then sip matcha and wagashi in a 16th-century garden. Photo included.
“It was very well organised, nicely designed and pleasant”
Small-group Arashiyama walk: bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo lunch, and matcha snack. Temple entrance fees included.
“The tour was lovely, we spent half the day walking around this beautiful part of Kyoto, our guide Nick was very knowledgable, the pace of the tour was perfect, relaxed and yet we saw and experienced plenty. Even the rain could not Read more”
Make matcha in a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse with an Omotesenke tea master. Small group, 45 minutes, $45, your own bowl.
“Really good experience, the guide explained the history behind the the tea ceremony and traditions, and answered all the questions. Highly recommend to take it when in Kyoto”
Kyoto Zen meditation at a private temple with a monk. Learn zazen, breathe with guidance, then enjoy tea and Q&A. 90 minutes.
“Nice guide and friendly monk. Very good to get to know the life in a monastery.”
Private Kyoto walk through Konchi-in, Tenjuan, and Nanzen-ji, led by a garden design expert explaining Zen meanings and stone garden design.
“This was one of the best tours I have done anywhere, on any subject. Andrew has deep knowledge of the design principles for Zen gardens, but also shared insights on Zen philosophy, Japanese history, and contemporary life in Kyoto. Highly recommended.”
4.5-hour small-group Kyoto bike tour with UNESCO Zen temples, teahouse lunch, and a Kamogawa River ride, guided in English.
“I had a great day biking around Kyoto with Yusuke! I wasn’t expecting it to be a private tour but that was a nice surprise because I could go at my own pace. Yusuke was a super friendly and knowledgeable guide - he made sure I was comfoRead more”
Kyoto Kiyomizu tea ceremony at Sakaguchian, with garden views, matcha made from scratch, wagashi sweets, and a small-group lesson.
“Just brilliant. Really relaxing hour in the best company. And the area afterwards is perfect to take in traditional Japan. Recommended!”
Kyoto Zen meditation at Tofukuji with a garden walk and Shojin ryori lunch. Small English group, one-hour zazen, calm guidance.
“Nice grouping - it would be cool to have a downloadable tour as well - there is interest in information but the need for quiet is important”
Small-group Arashiyama tour in Kyoto with bamboo forests, Tenryu-ji gardens, Iwatayama Monkey Park hike, and Okochi Sanso views.
“Mari was our tour guard! She was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, helpful and made our tour an excellent experience! My husband and I highly recommend her, you will be very happy!!!”
A private Kyoto matcha tea ceremony at Camellia Garden Teahouse, with garden views, seasonal sweets, and hands-on whisking in 1 hour.
“This personal tea ceremony experience was wonderful! We learned all about the ceremony first and then had a chance to make our own matcha tea! Our hosts were very informative and explained the ceremony well. The location was quiet and relaxing! We really enjoyed it!”
3-hour Arashiyama tour with bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji gardens, Togetsukyo Bridge photos, and Iwatayama macaques, guided in Kyoto.
“Our tour guide was a great resource in learning about the history about the bamboo forest and the temple. She was very knowledgeable and a wonderful hostess!”
Small-group Zen meditation at a private Kyoto temple with a monk, plus matcha tea and traditional snacks, starting near Kodaiji Park.
“It is a more private experience at a smaller but beautiful temple. The monk is very genuine but insightful. I highly recommend this experience”
Private 6-hour Kyoto Zen garden tour with a licensed guide. Customize your route, visit iconic temples and gardens, and get real design insights for $151.
“It covered everything we discussed and shoji was very knowledgeable and informative. He spoke English well and was very well travelled outside of Japan so had an informed perspective on almost anything we discussed. Was willing to share his perspective easily. Easy to be with. As well. Also, gave just the right amount of information. Not too much and not too little.”
