Kyoto · KYOTO TEMPLE & SHRINE TOURS
24 bookable options
A useful temple tour groups sites that belong on the same side of Kyoto. Compare the walking distance, admission coverage, transport between stops and whether the schedule leaves time inside each garden.
A calm 70-minute matcha tea ceremony at Jotokuji Temple, with a small English-taught group and hands-on steps, plus a quiet cultural reset.
“Really enjoyed this, we learnt a lot and the hosts were very kind and very knowledgeable, would absolutely recommend this experience!”
Walk Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Tenryuji temple and Okochi Sanso garden, then hike to macaques and Katsura River views, or swap in sake.
“I loved this tour! It was small, and Karim was very personable and knowledgeable. It was great to learn about Japanese culture from him. He patiently answered all of our questions and took his time. Overall, it was highly enjoyable; however, this tour may not be a good option for someone who has mobility issues..”
Arashiyama half-day walk with Tenryu-ji Zen gardens, bamboo forest, Uji matcha, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park macaques.
“Walking through that bamboo grove felt like entering a natural temple. The towering stalks swaying overhead created such a calming, otherworldly atmosphere. Combined with the actual temple visit, this tour beautifully balances spiritual and natural experiences.”
A guided day trip from Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama, Nara Park, and Fushimi Inari, with lunch included at a Kyoto townhouse.
“Gary's kindness and attentiveness were highly appreciated. The itinerary was consistently adhered to, and the destinations were exceptional, with Gary's recommendations proving valuable.”
Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto: Omuro Sakura, five-story pagoda, Omuro Pilgrimage, Goten Palace, and optional Reiho-kan Museum entry.
3-hour Kyoto guided walk to the Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. Small group, tickets included, local guide to decode Edo Japan.
“Jasmine was a great tour guide. She really knew her history and her English was impeccable. The tour is really good as you can clearly understand the differences between the Shogun (Nijo castle) and the Emperor (The Imperial Palace). This was yet another side of Kyoto to see. 3 hours was a perfect amount of time to see both.”
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”
Dress in a Kyoto kimono near Imamiya Jinjya Shrine, learn tea etiquette, watch a 30-year master, then brew matcha yourself in a 90-minute set.
“The tea ceremony at Imamiya Jinjya Shrine was such a beautiful day! They make picking out and putting on your kimono a special experience. Then they make sure you have a beautiful picture while chatting with you and making sure you feel comfortable. Then the tea ceremony begins - you learn about the deep history of tea masters and this ceremony in Japan's history in an incredibly meditative state. I would absolutely do this again.”
Kyoto Arashiyama walk with Tenryu-ji Temple, bamboo grove, Uji matcha, Togetsu-kyo Bridge, and Monkey Park macaques, guided for $51.
“Amelie was a fantastic tour guide. Very knowledgeable and informative. Neither of us are matcha fans so we were able to swap that out with ice cream and hot chocolate. Monkey’s were worth the 20 minute up hill hike. Would recommend.”
Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine hike off the crowds, with hidden forest trails, bamboo groves, and torii gate photos in a small group.
“Amazing tour! Shun was so friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time.”
Small-group Arashiyama walk with bamboo views, Okochi Sanso matcha, Tenryu-ji temple, shopping street time, bridge photos, and monkeys.
“Great tour. Our tour guide Toshiya-san is knowledgeable and professional. So much to learn in so little time. I highly recommend this tour.”
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.”
E-bike your way through Nara Park to Todaiji, learn Nara deer feeding, see Kasuga Taisha lanterns, and explore Japanese cutlery.
“Fantastic! A great way to explore what Nara Park offers - and to work through my jet lag at the same time! Would 100% do it again.”
Learn shodo inside Kyoto’s Seigan-ji temple, choose your Kanji, practice strokes on tatami, and take home your shikishi plus a keychain.
“We definitely recommend this activity, it was very fun and we learned a lot! The teacher and her apprentice were both very helpful and nice. They gave us individual tips while we were practicing writing our names and even took some pictures for us. We got to take the boards with our names home and even got a little keychain as a gift!”
