9 Best tours of Kyoto

Kyoto offers unrepeatable experiences that make travellers from all over the world fall in love with the city. You can ride a rickshaw or an electric bicycle and discover the most promising hidden spots in its districts, as well as relax while tasting Japanese food. Don't miss it!

If you like history and want to learn more about Japanese culture, I recommend you to book a tour of Higashiyama.

On this tour, which is private (only you and your group can participate in it) a professional guide will take you to fascinating places such as:

• Higashiyama district.
• Fushimi Inari Shrine.
• The Gion district, known for its geisha houses.
• Kakubi theatres.
• Teahouses.

A day full of culture, history and architecture that will delight anyone interested in the land of the rising sun.

Details of interest

• Price: from 120 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot

Booking a rickshaw tour of Kyoto is an interesting journey from start to finish, as you get the chance to see the city on board a traditional Japanese car.

Although you can find them in other Asian countries, the way they are used is different in each region. Moreover, this type of transport is ideal for exploring the local traditional neighbourhoods.

Usually, this type of tour visits the most emblematic places of the city, in this case Kyoto, such as the Red Brick Aqueduct, the Arashiyama District, the Gio-ji Temple and the Daikaku-ji Temple, among other areas.

Interesting details

• Price: from 39 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: rickshaw, a lightweight human-powered carriage. It is similar to a small carriage and is driven by a shafu (drivers trained in Japan to drive this type of car).

Taking a food tour of Kyoto is ideal for wandering around the night spots and tasting Japanese food at renowned restaurants. The tour is done with a small group, so you can expect a personalised experience. It will also allow you to meet other travellers of different nationalities.

But that's not all, on these tours the guides will also explain the history of the geisha, from their origins to their traditions, as well as taking the group to the nightlife areas to get to know what the Japanese are like when night falls.

For example, it is very common to go to the so-called izakayas, Japanese-style bars.

Interesting details

• Price: from €108.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: on foot, so I suggest you pack your best trainers.

If you feel like learning a lot of interesting facts about the history and culture of the city that was the capital of Japan for more than a millennium, I highly recommend you to book a private tour of Kyoto.

You will be accompanied by an expert guide who will guarantee a fully personalised experience for you and your companions, as you can visit the parts of Kyoto that are most interesting to you.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine or the Kyoto Imperial Palace are just a few suggestions - the choice is yours!

Interesting details

• Price: from 89 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

Yuba soup, leek pancakes, traditional Japanese sweets? Sound good? Well, these are just some of the typical Japanese dishes that you will have the opportunity to try by booking a gastronomic tour of the Arashiyama and Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto.

This tour also includes a visit to two of Kyoto's most historically important neighbourhoods: Arashiyama and Sagano, as well as to the Tenryu-ji and Jojakko-ji temples and the bamboo forest.

An experience for all five senses, combining tourism, history, nature and gastronomy, not to be missed!

Interesting details

• Price: from 105 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

During your visit to Kyoto schedule a food tour to sample the local food offerings. A great option is an afternoon tour through the streets of the city, where you will end the evening in a special way with a Kaiseki dinner.

The Kaiseki dinner offers several dishes to try and the menu is a surprise as it uses seasonal ingredients presented in an elegant way. But you can try sashimi, appetizers, marinated, steamed and grilled dishes.

It is an experience that places great importance on flavour, texture and colour, even the crockery on which the food is served belongs to ancient Japanese traditions. This tour will also allow you to enjoy Japanese culture, see the magical sites of Kyoto, interact with Geisha and learn about their history.

Details of interest

• Price: from 210 €.
• Duration: the tour takes an estimated three hours.
• Means of transport: there is no pick-up and drop-off, and the tour is conducted on foot through the streets of Kyoto.
• What's included: 10 savoury dishes, a cup of green tea, a drink and dessert.
• Tip: I also recommend booking a food tour of Kyoto if you prefer to sample the local cuisine in a variety of venues.

Kyoto' s best traditions are hidden in Gion, which is why I recommend you sign up for a night-time walking tour through its iconic streets to learn about the history of the geisha, as well as the essence of traditional Japanese artists.

At the end of the day, you'll find many activities unique to this district's nightlife. Gion transforms at night with illuminated streets and shops and authentic geisha performing in shows around the area, as well as Japanese apprentice artists.

You will have the opportunity to share this experience with up to 30 people with a professional English-speaking guide. Allow yourself to explore the Kagai culture that links modern and ancient traditions of the geisha world.

Itinerary

• Geisha areas
• Hanami-koji
• Shirakawa River
• Ponto-cho
• Miyagawa-cho

Details of interest

• Price: from €11.
• Duration: approximately one hour and forty minutes.
• Means of transport: The tour is a walking tour, but public transport is available in the surrounding area.
• Tip: if you prefer to visit this area during the day, you can book a tour of Gion before sunset.

This is one of the best food tours in Kyoto and allows you to sample Japanese cuisine while marvelling at the natural attractions of Arashiyama and Sagano. You will be accompanied by a friendly guide who will reveal the secrets of off-the-beaten-path places.

Some of the areas usually included in this type of tour are Okochi Garden, Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple, one of the five most important temples in Kyoto.

Let's say that this tour is a perfect combination of a guided tour and a food tour, as it offers the best of both worlds.

Details of interest

• Price: from 105 €.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

The hidden electric bike tour will take you to explore the best things to see in Kyoto in a mode of transport that is fast, safe, eco-friendly and ideal for taking secret shortcuts. During this dynamic and interactive tour, a personalised English-speaking guide will provide you with information about each monument or attraction.

It is a very complete tour including helmet, water and bike rental, ideal if you are visiting Kyoto in 3 days. Please note that an electric bike has thicker wheels, so it can move through wooded and mountainous areas, where you can witness a concert of nature sounds.

Kinkakuji Temple (one of the best temples in Kyoto), the Zen Garden of Kinkakuji Temple, the Temple of Great Virtue or Kitanotenmangu Temple (ideal for an itinerary of things to do in Kyoto in autumn), are some of the points of the city that you might see.

Details of interest

• Price: from €80.
• Duration: approximately three and a half hours.
• Means of transport: e-bike.