The 15 Best Tours in Kyoto

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour - Sanjusangendo’s hall of a thousand statues

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

See Kyoto’s major temples, shrines, Golden Pavilion, bamboo forest, and Fushimi Inari in one organized 8 to 9 hour bus tour.

“We are here only 4 days out of our trip and got delayed on our flight so we had less time in Kyoto. This was such a good way to get around and see all the places we wanted to see without the stress of trying to navigate public transportation. We were given about 45 mins average at the sites and I thought that was good. Our group ranged from 9-70 years old and everyone kept up. Nagomi our tour guide was great! Highly recommend!!”

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1-Day Tours, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tours, Fushimi Inari Shrine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

See Kyoto’s top temples, bamboo forest, Golden Pavilion, and Fushimi Inari in one well-organized full-day coach tour.

“Hi Roko was our guide and we had an pleasant tour. Her English was very good and easy to understand. She is very sweet and polite. The tour is very on time was easy to handle with 2 pre teens.”

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Kiyomizu-dera Temple Tours, Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experiences, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

3.Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

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

Join a 45-minute Kyoto tea ceremony in Kiyomizu, learn to prepare matcha, enjoy a sweet, and admire a historic Japanese garden.

“Great experience, we were well looked after, the ceremony was well explained and it was great fun making Matcha. Would highly recommend this booking!”

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Gion Geisha District Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

4.Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,273 reviews · 2 hours · from $25

Walk Gion’s lantern-lit lanes, learn the truth behind geisha culture, see historic temples, and get local Kyoto tips for $25.

“Our tour guide Michael had a wealth of knowledge and was very informative. We went at 3:00 and probably wouldn't do a later tour time due to sun light. Overall was a great experience especially for the price. the history and facts we learnt along the way and Michael's kind demeanor made our tour feel welcoming and calming, highly recommend!”

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Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experiences, Kyoto Temple Tours, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

5.Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

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

Join a 70-minute matcha ceremony at Kyoto’s Jotokuji Temple, learn the meaning behind chanoyu, and make tea in a small English-speaking group.

“We had the most incredible experience and cannot recommend enough!”

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Evening Experiences, Gion Geisha District Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

6.Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

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

Explore Gion after dark on a small-group Kyoto walk with geisha trivia, glowing shrines, a pagoda, quiet lanes, and an English-speaking guide.

“This was a gem of a tour and our tour guide was informed, fun, and friendly. This tour takes you down the side streets of Gion and explains the lanterns, the private clubs and the Geisha culture. We even were fortunate enough to see a Maiko (Geisha in training). The shrines and pagoda were gorgeous at night. The empty streets are magical. Our tour guide had great stories and had a wonderful sense of humor. A fantastic surprise and a must do tour. Highly recommend.”

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Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experiences, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

7.45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

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

Learn Kyoto tea ceremony basics with a licensed Urasenke tea master, matcha, sweets, and optional kimono or candlelight sessions near Kinkakuji.

“Splendid to learn the history of the tea ceremony from a practicing professional.”

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Gion Geisha District Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

8.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

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

Explore Kyoto’s Gion and Pontocho by night, hear geisha stories from local guides, and learn how geiko and maiko traditions still shape the city.

“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.”

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Gion Geisha District Tours, Tour Reviews

Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

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

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

Explore Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama by night, with shrines, pagodas, geisha culture, quiet lanes, and practical local tips for $24.

“This tour was a great experience to have planned on my Kyoto trip. The tour guide Karim was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area and history. He guided the group safely around the busy parts of Gion. I learned so much from the tour. I gained a new appreciation of the area. Would recommend to anyone who wants an awesome adventure in Gion.”

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Tickets, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

10.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

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

Explore Kyoto by open-top bus with flexible 1 or 2-day access to temples, markets, castles, and shrines, plus audio guidance in seven languages.

“Excellent to visit Kyoto main attractions and places. The only negative point is the rarest number of buses during 10am to 12pm period (each 45min).”

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Evening Experiences, Gion Geisha District Tours, Kyoto Night Walks, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

11.Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,003 reviews · 1h 40m · from $21

Walk Gion at night with an English-speaking guide, learn geiko and maiko customs, and see Kyoto’s famed streets for $21.

“Chako was very passionate about the Gion district and Geisha culture. I appreciated her knowledge and enthusiasm. She was also very inclusive of individuals in the group.”

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Cycling Tours, E-Bikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

12.Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

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

Ride Kyoto’s quiet lanes to Kinkakuji, Daitokuji, and Zen gardens on a small-group e-bike tour led by engaging local guides.

“Biking through Kyoto felt very safe. It was challenging and rewarding. Yuta was our amazing guide who taught us about geisha history, Shinto, and Zen Buddhism. I was nervous to try this tour because I am not a strong biker, but the views from the mountains and the backstreets of beautiful neighborhoods made the experience really special.”

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Drinking Tours, Evening Experiences, Food, Food & Drink, Gion Geisha District Tours, Sake Tasting, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

Explore Gion and Pontocho by night with nine-plus Kyoto dishes, sake tastings, local stories, and a small group capped at seven.

“Come hungry! It was a real Japanese foodie experience! Yuma picked out authentic places to have two wonderful meals and drinks! Then our last stop was dessert, tea or coffee.”

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Fushimi Inari Shrine Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

14.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63

Escape Kyoto’s crowds on a guided 7km forest hike to Fushimi Inari, with bamboo, quiet shrines, torii gates, and castle views.

“We met Yuko on one of the hottest (and very humid) days of the year to hike the Hidden Trail. She had mosquito repellent for me and right off the bat, I knew she was going to be a good guide. The other 5 individuals didn't show so we got her to ourselves and could move quickly on such a warm day. The trail is awesome but it's definitely something you need a local to show you. She knew the history of the area and all the fun facts. Yuko had a fun personality and is a ball of energy scrambling up those technical trails. It was a highlight of…”

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Historical Tours, Kyoto Matcha Experiences, Nara Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Uji Tours

World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience

15.World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,573 reviews · from $129

Explore Nara’s temples, deer park, and Uji’s matcha traditions on an efficient Kyoto day trip with lunch, transport, and an English guide.

“We had a great time on this tour. We got to see so much and the included lunch was great. Mai was a fantastic guider with lots of knowledge and great communication. The deer were so cute and the match experience was great.”

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