Tours and Activities

Immerse yourself in the rhythms and traditions of farm life in a Japanese village during this 3.5-hour visit to the town of Ogi, including a ‘mochi’-pounding (Japanese rice cake-making) and delicious chicken Sukiyaki lunch cooking lesson. Walk amidst the terraced rice fields of this picturesque town, discovering its more than 1,300 years of rice farming history. Then visit the home of a local farmer, learning the techniques to make ‘mochi’ while enjoying the warm hospitality of this friendly resident and his wife. A family / couple / senior-friendly tour with a very attentive tour guide.

Spend a precious time with maiko, a piece of Japanese art in Kyoto. Experience an authentic Japanese culture in front of you at a traditional restaurant, enjoy the mesmerizing dance, ozashiki games and photo shooting opportunity. Learn about Japan's rich history from your expert guide!

Walk around Kyoto’s historic geisha district, Gion, in a kimono during this 4-hour experience. Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s traditional culture. Meet your professional stylist and choose from a vast array of kimonos and accessories — your stylist will even create a hairdo for you. Once you’re dressed up, strut the streets of Gion and experience Kyoto from a geisha’s point of view.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Kyoto on an afternoon guided tour through the former capitol's vibrant shrines and temples. Admire the alluring green and red Heian Shrine. Stroll Sanjusangendo Hall with its 1,001 Kannon statues and the Kiyomizu Temple where you'll enjoy sweeping city views from the large terrace. All entry fees are included.

Embark on a full-day walking tour to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Himeji Castle. You'll take public transportation from Kyoto to Hyogo with a guide to the Japanese national treasure for an informative stroll around the grounds. Afterward, you get to admire another perspective of the castle from the historic Koko-en Garden nearby. Here you also get to enjoy a Japanese-style lunch before a journey along the Maiko Marine Promenade, a scenic walkway built on the Kobe side of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge.

Follow an expert guide on foot to principal landmarks in Osaka during a full-day walking tour, departing from Kyoto. Visit Shogun exhibits at Osaka Castle and look as far as the eye can see from the Umeda Sky Building's Floating Garden Observatory. Then join your guide on a 1-hour river cruise on the Aqua Liner, coasting past the Twin Towers and City Hall of Nakanoshima lsle. Lunch and round-trip transport from Kyoto are included.

In the summer, Kyoto locals escape the city heat for a relaxing dinner show at the Takao Momijiya restaurant on the Kiyotaki River. Join them on the restaurant's elevated outdoor terrace, known as a 'kawadoko,' and watch maiko (similar to geishas) perform songs and dance throughout your meal. This 90-minute dining experience is a must for travelers who want a taste of Japan's cultural traditions, and one that only runs between June and September.

Join your host, Keiko, for a private cooking lesson and lunch in her Kyoto home. In this hands-on lesson you will learn to prepare dishes that are unique to Kyoto. Keiko specializes in Obanzai cuisine, a method of cooking distinct to Kyoto that relies heavily on vegetables and seafood, prepared simply, with ingredients that are seasonal and local to the Kyoto region. In Keiko's small but welcoming kitchen, you will learn to cook a traditional Obanzai meal which you will then share sitting on cushions on the floor at her low, Japanese-style dining table.

Taste your way through Kyoto's famed Nishiki Market, the heart of Kyoto cuisine, on this private 3-hour tour. Nishiki Market is home to some of Kyoto's top food purveyors and cookware shops. You'll meander the market with an English-speaking food expert as your guide and discover the two concepts that make Kyoto cuisine unique: 'shun,' meaning ingredients that have reached their seasonal peak, and 'umami,' one of the five detectable tastes. By the end of the tour, you'll be a Kyoto cuisine connoisseur.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing and a sake-tasting session in the port city of Kobe, with round-trip public transport by rail from Kyoto. Stroll through Kobe's Kitano district past dozens of historical 'Ijinkan' (foreign residences) and, after a buffet lunch, head into Meriken Park. The day ends with a tour of the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, where you'll learn about the history of Japan's renowned rice wine and taste a sample.

Visit Hiroshima's most important historic sites on this 12-hour tour from Kyoto. After taking the bullet train from Kyoto Station, enjoy a boat ride to Miyajima. Your informative guide will show you to a great viewing spot for the majestic Itsukushima Shrine. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to tour the profound exhibits, many of which include remnants from the 1945 atomic bombing of the city.

Travel by private vehicle from Kyoto to the Miho Museum, where you'll find hundreds of exquisite art pieces from the world's civilizations on display. The building itself is a work of art: Designed by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, it sits like a shimmering prism tucked away in a forested hillside of the Kansai region. Upon admission, enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum at your own pace, with plenty of time to peruse permanent and special exhibits of jewelry, statues, ceramics, frescoes and textiles from the private collections of Koyama Mihoko.

Learn about the etiquette of samurai classes in feudal Japan and practice some basic Kembu, including how to use the Japanese sword. You can choose a 1-hour session for an introduction to the basics, or upgrade for a 2-hour session to learn choreographed movements with a sword and folding fan. Top off your experience of this traditional Japanese art with a photo session in costume, and take home a certificate of achievement.

Edo-era architecture, samurai stories and houses shaped like praying hands — experience Japanese history and culture on this 3-day tour from Kyoto to three of Japan’s must-visit historical cities: Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa. With a professional guide, you'll explore traditional homes, UNESCO-listed folk villages, markets and other impressive sites such as Kenroku-en Garden. Relax easy with prearranged transport to all locations, and enjoy your choice of standard or deluxe hotel accommodation in Takayama and Kanazawa. This is a one-way tour, ending in Tokyo.

Soak up temple and palace sights on this half-day guided city tour, great for those who want to see Kyoto’s top attractions in a short time. Travel by coach in the morning and visit UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle and the gold-covered Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) with an informative guide. Then wander through the Kyoto Imperial Palace — home to the emperor until 1868 — and see how royalty lived.

Step into an authentic Japanese rickshaw for the ride of a lifetime, through some of the most scenic and historic districts in Kyoto, Japan. You have the option of exploring the verdant Bamboo Grove and impressive shrines of west Kyoto’s Arashiyama district or the intriguing wooden buildings and stone alleys (maybe even spotting a geisha or two) in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama area, all with a knowledgeable local guide and rickshaw driver. This authentic, customizable Kyoto adventure is a fun introduction to this beautiful city.

Enjoy a Japanese onsen experience in Kyoto with a one-night stay at a traditional-style inn known as a ryokan. This serene stay is all about relaxing, as you can soak your travel-weary muscles in the hot waters of the on-site communal bath (the onsen). You can also enhance your experience of Japanese culture by choosing from a selection of meals that showcase Kyoto's rich cuisine, from breakfast to a gourmet dinner. Conveniently located near top attractions and transportation, this ryokan provides an ideal base for your visit to Kyoto.

Sample Kyoto's best flavors on this 3-hour tour of Nishiki Market. This market boasts some of Kyoto's best food purveyors as well as specialty Japanese cookware shops. You'll cruise the market with an English-speaking food expert, who will illuminate some of the mysteries of Japanese cuisine. You'll sample foods and enjoy lunch along the way. This small-group tour is limited to six participants to ensure a quality experience.

Kembu (sword performance), one of many Japanese traditional arts, demonstrates the culture of the samurai, a warrior class that ruled Japan for 700 years. Kembu masters who work to keep the spirit of samurai culture alive perform this 1-hour stage show at Samurai Kembu Theater. Satisfy your intellectual curiosity with in-depth talks, and enjoy both traditional and new-style Kembu performances based on historical tales from the feudal period. Afterward, hold a samurai sword in a photo session with the performers.

Visiting temples is a must in Kyoto, but very few people get to join a resident monk for an insider’s perspective. On this Viator VIP tour limited to just eight people, you'll be allowed inside restricted areas of To-ji Temple with a temple monk, who will share stories about the history of the World Heritage–listed site. Tour the elegant pagoda, a symbol of Kyoto that is typically off-limits to the public, as well as Kondo and Kodo halls. Then learn about the Buddhist calligraphy practice of 'shakyo,' and try it yourself. This exclusive tour is available nowhere else.

Explore the historic city of Uji on this walking tour from Kyoto. Your informative guide will give you an introduction to this city known for its tea and to Japanese culture, by guiding you through the city's scenic neighborhoods, riverfront and historic temples. You'll partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and see the famous Ujibashi Bridge, a cultural icon.

Visit top World Heritage sites in Miyajima, Hiroshima and Okayama on this 2-day guided from Kyoto. Marvel at the graceful red gate of Itsukushima Shrine, take in the UNESCO-listed Hiroshima Peace Memorial's Genbaku Dome and museum, stroll the historic streets of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, and view Western artworks at the Ohara Museum of Art. Top it off with included public transport, one restaurant lunch, and accommodations at the Hotel Granvia Hiroshima.

Find yourself surrounded by scenic landscapes on this 5-hour walking tour and river cruise in Arashiyama, a top destination in Kyoto. After a ride on the JR (Japan Rail), start your morning stroll with an informative guide around the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and continue on foot to Sagano Bamboo Grove. After a walk through this tunnel of trees and the Zen temple grounds of Jojakko-ji, marvel at the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. Top off your tour with lunch on a cruise with Mt Arashiyama serving as a photo-worthy backdrop.

Hike a section of the Nakasendo Trail on a 3- or 4-day self-guided tour from Tokyo or Kyoto that includes all rail transport. A series of forested trails and paved village paths linking the two cities comprise the Nakasendo, a trail situated along an ancient network of Japanese highways. Follow in the footsteps of travelers from the Edo period who walked this mountain route via the Kiso Valley. Stop in the best-preserved post towns – known as 'juku' – where you'll stay overnight in local 'minshuku' (guest houses). Traditional Japanese dinners and breakfasts are included.

Learn the culinary art of rolling sushi in a sushi-making class and enjoy your creations for dinner. Your 1.5-hour lesson takes place in a traditional Kyoto townhouse with a professional instructor, who will teach you to make 'makizushi' (rolled sushi with dried seaweed). After a demonstration, choose your ingredients and try your hand at making the rolls. With some practice, you might feel like a sushi chef! Numbers are limited to 7 people, ensuring an intimate experience with a small group of like-minded sushi lovers.

Perfect the art of home cooking in Kyoto with this private tempura and sushi-making class! you'll be picked up from your hotel by a friendly guide who accompanies you by taxi to a local Japanese home (modern or traditional style), where a family teaches you to make an authentic meal. After, enjoy your delicious main course with side dishes like miso soup and salad prepared with seasonal ingredients. By the end of your 2-hour lesson (1-hour of round trip transfer), you'll feel like part of the family.

Venture to Nara from Kyoto for the afternoon. Due to its past as the first permanent capital of Japan, Nara remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. Accompanied by your local guide, you'll visit the Todaiji Temple to see Japan's largest Buddha, Deer Park - home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, and Kasuga Shrine - Nara's most celebrated shrine.

Create your own sightseeing itinerary on a private, customized tour of Kyoto. You’re accompanied via public transport to a few of the cultural capital’s 2,000 temples, shrines and other renowned landmarks like Fushimi Inari Shrine. Choose from among 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Nijo Castle or Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) to explore with a professional guide. Select a half-day or full-day itinerary, tailored to your particular interests. Lunch at a local restaurant is included on the full-day tour.