9 Best tours of Kyoto

Kyoto offers unrepeatable experiences that enchant travelers from all over the world. You can ride a rickshaw or an electric bicycle and discover the most promising hidden places of 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 hire a tour of Higashiyama.

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

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

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 in Kyoto is a very interesting trip from start to finish, as you will have the opportunity to see the city aboard a traditional Japanese car.

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

Normally, in this type of tour you will visit 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.

Details of interest

• Price: from 39 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: rickshaw, a lightweight human-powered car. 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 strolling around the night spots and tasting Japanese food at renowned restaurants. The tour is done with a small group, so you can expect a personalized experience. In addition, it will allow you to meet other travelers of different nationalities.

But that's not all, in these tours the guides also usually explain the history of the geisha, from their origin to their traditions, as well as taking the group to the areas with more nightlife to get to know how the Japanese are when night falls.

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

Details of interest

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

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 definitely recommend you to book a private tour of Kyoto.

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

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine or the Kyoto Imperial Palace are just a few suggestions, the decision is up to you!

Details of interest

• 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 taking a gastronomic tour of the Arashiyama and Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto.

This tour also includes a visit to two of the most historically important neighborhoods in Kyoto: 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!

Details of interest

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

During your visit to Kyoto schedule a gastronomic tour to taste 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 taste 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 gives great importance to flavor, texture and color, even the tableware where the food is served belongs to ancient Japanese traditions. This tour will also allow you to enjoy Japanese culture, visit magical places in Kyoto, interact with Geisha and learn about their history.

Details of interest

• Price: from 210 €.
• Duration: the tour has an estimated time of three hours.
• Means of transport: there is no pick-up and drop-off transfer, and the tour is conducted on foot through the streets of Kyoto.
• What's included: 10 savory dishes, a cup of green tea, a drink and dessert.
• Recommendation: I also recommend you to book a gastronomic tour of Kyoto if you prefer to try the local cuisine by visiting different places.

The best traditions of Kyoto are hidden in Gion, so I recommend you to sign up for a night 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 will find many activities exclusive to the nightlife of this district. Gion transforms at night with illuminated streets and stores 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 done on foot, but public transport is available nearby.
• Recommendation: 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 will allow you to sample Japanese cuisine while marveling at the natural attractions of Arashiyama and Sagano. You will be accompanied by a friendly guide who will reveal the secrets of the less crowded places.

Some 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 fast, safe, eco-friendly mode of transportation and ideal for taking secret shortcuts. During this dynamic and interactive ride a personalized English speaking guide will provide you with information about each monument or attraction.

It is a very complete tour that includes helmet, water and bike rental, ideal if you are going to visit Kyoto in 3 days. Keep in mind that an electric bike has thicker wheels, therefore 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 may see.

Details of interest

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