Category Tour Reviews

Kyoto · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Tours & Experiences in Kyoto

300 bookable options

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour - Kiyomizu-dera on Higashiyama Hill, Views Plus Stairs

1.PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13,518 reviews · from $129Our pick

See Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari in one guided day with tickets, audio, and an air-conditioned bus.

“This was a wonderfully efficient and memorable 1 day tour. We had very limited time in Kyoto and after previous days in Tokyo, we’re frankly tired and didn’t want to do all the planning and coordination needed to see everything we wanted to see in Kyoto. Japan panoramic tours was a lifesaver for our family and Sakura our tour guide was wonderful! Here English was super clear and was so charming sweet and funny. She shared the right amount of info to entertain and to educate. Sometime tours will take us to unnecessary places to sell items but this tour didn’t do that. Thank goodness! Bus tour was clean with…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Kiyomizudera’s Terrace Views, Then Sanjusangen-do’s 1001 Kannon

2.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122

A 9-hour Kyoto hit parade: Kiyomizudera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama bamboo, Kinkakuji, and Fushimi Inari with guide, tickets, and audio.

“Our tour today was great. It was full on but we seemed to have enough time to explore each place we visited. Samurai was a great guide. She made sure the tour ran on time, which was challenging given the number of stops and people on the tour. We really enjoyed all the pictures she showed us. They really helped add to the experience. A great tour, it was amazing to see so many stunning temples and shrines in one day. Definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu - Where to Meet Near Kiyomizu-Dera (Sannenzaka makes this easy to find)

3.Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,519 reviews · 45 min · from $49

Kyoto tea ceremony at Sakaguchian in Kiyomizu area. Learn to whisk matcha, taste sweets, admire Ogawa garden, get a photo, in 45 min.

“A great and relaxing experience! The hostess and tea master were both very knowledgeable and it was interesting to learn more about this part of traditional japanese culture. The garden was also beautiful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Where to meet: the practical start in front of Hotel Alza Kyoto

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple - Walking the Temple Grounds Without Feeling Rushed

5.Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,207 reviews · 1h 10m · from $29

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia - Where You Meet, and How Not to Miss the Start

6.Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,393 reviews · 1h 40m · from $24

A small-group night walk through Kyoto’s Gion, with geisha trivia, shrine rituals, and lit lantern streets near Minamiza.

“The night walking tour was awesome! The best way to explore the main spots but also the hidden gems of Gion area. Our guide Sho was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We had a great time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience - Finding Your Tea House Near Kinkakuji Without Stress

7.45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,378 reviews · 45 min · from $22

Learn Kyoto tea ceremony rules in 45 minutes, whisk matcha with a Urasenke tea master, taste two matcha types, and add kimono photos.

“Traditional Tea ceremony with Kimono, we learned proper manners for tea drinking and learned how to make matcha tea”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - Stories of Geisha - Meeting at Ben’s Cookies Kyoto Shijo and getting oriented fast

8.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,187 reviews · 2 hours · from $20Best value

A 2-hour nighttime walk through Gion and Pontocho with a local guide, stories of geisha, and chances to spot geiko and maiko.

“Really enjoyed this walking tour with Yuki. He's a great guide and I learned a lot about the world of the geisha and maiko. Yuki was enthusiastic and happy to answer any questions and I would recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones - Starting locations in Kyoto Gion and Yasaka, and how to avoid a shaky start

9.Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,058 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

A 2-hour night walk through Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama, with shrines, pagoda views, and respectful geisha culture for about $24.

“Our tour guide was fantastic, he was very knowledgeable. Lots of information around the history and more importantly took his time to ensure had the full experience. Outstanding representative of the company. ⭐️👑🌟🏆🏅🥇🤴 Regards Mark”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket - How the Hop-On Hop-Off Works From Kyoto Station

10.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,034 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $27

Hop on and off Kyoto by open-top bus, hitting Nijo, Kinkakuji, Gion and Kiyomizu-dera with 7-language audio and big views.

“Everything!!! Miyuki was so informative and helpful about any questions I had. I want her to be my personal tour guide next time I'm in Kyoto! We did both tours and enjoyed them both. Just the right amount of time and super safe driving.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto's Geisha District - Meeting point at Gion Omoide Museum near Izutsu Yatsuhashi

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto - Inside the class: the ramen-making process, step by step

12.Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,937 reviews · from $131

Kyoto ramen cooking class at Ramen Factory. Make noodles from scratch, customize toppings, then eat your own lunch. Halal, veg and vegan options.

“Making your own noddles for ramen. Great fun. Cooking the ramen Great people running the class. You also get free photo and apron.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour - Daitoku-ji Temple Complex: Zen gardens and quieter worship spaces

13.Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,843 reviews · from $116

Ride an e-bike through quiet Kyoto, visiting Kinkakuji, Daitoku-ji and Kitano Tenmangu, with a small-group English guide.

“It was lovely visiting some of the quieter and less touristy temples, shrines and streets. Yuta was a phenomenal guide and shared lots of great info about Giesha, Samurai history, Zen Buddhism and the customs of visiting temples and shrines. He provided a great deal of context and richness to the places we visited. The ebikes were fun and allowed us to travel up steep hills and all over town without exhausting us on the warm and muggy day. We really enjoyed ourselves exploring Kyoto this way! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings)

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings) - Meeting Point and Route Sense: From Izumo-no-Okuni to Riverside Kyoto

14.Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,762 reviews · from $163

Gion night foodie walk with 9+ dishes and 6 sake tastings, plus history and small-group backstreet stops in Kyoto.

“Rika was a great guide. Very personable and knowledgeable about both the area and the food and drink.she was good company and entertaining as well. We would highly recommend her and this tour. The tour went to 3 very nice places that we likely would never have found on our own. All of the food and drinks were great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - Meeting point at FamilyMart Nakai Tofukuji, then you move fast