The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips 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!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

3.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

4.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

5.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

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

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cycling Tours, E-Bikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

6.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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)

7.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

8.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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

9.Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · from $102

A private Kyoto walking tour shaped around your interests, pairing famous temples with quiet streets, local tips, and flexible pacing.

“A relaxed way to see the city and learn about the history and other quirky details. Milo was super knowledgeable not just about Kyoto but Japan. He answered my extensive range of questions beautifully. The pace was easy yet a lot of sites were packed in. My 11 year old daughter and I really enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

10.Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $25

Walk Kyoto’s Gion after dark on a small-group tour covering geisha culture, lantern-lit streets, theaters, shrines, and local history.

“Nami is a fantastic guide. We learned a lot anoth the history of entertainment in Japan and enjoyed our tour very much! Thank you Nami!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guided, Kyoto Early Morning Tours, Morning, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide

11.Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,427 reviews · from $68

See Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Kinkaku-ji before the crowds with an English-speaking guide.

“Genki, our Guide (6 November 25) was superb 👌. His knowledge was vast and he politely catered to each of our needs. Thank you so very much. Genki is a first class asset to Kyoto and the tourism industry 👏. Thanks again, Lenny and Vicki Fewtrell.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

12.Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,369 reviews · from $155

Build a six-hour Kyoto day around four sights with a licensed local guide, using trains and walking to reach temples, shrines, markets, and historic districts.

“Excellent tour with Michi! He was so informative and taught us many things about Japanese history, culture, and the people. He was fluent in English and easy to understand. We did the Kinkaakuji/Ryoanji/Arashiyama itinerary. The first stop was my favorite. Michi took very good care of me and my two teenage children. I highly recommend this tour and this tour guide in particular.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Markets, Nishiki Market Food Tours, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

13.Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,355 reviews · from $68

Explore Kyoto’s Gion and Nishiki Market with seven tastings, brunch, local culture, and a guide-led introduction to Japanese food.

“The market was so interesting and vibrant. We ate food we would never have found on our own. Hikaru was a fantastic guide - knowledgeable, informative with a great personality. He made the brunch a perfect experience. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tours, Fushimi Inari Shrine Tours, Nara Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

14.Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,275 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $52

See Nara’s deer, Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, and Arashiyama’s bamboo forest on a practical Kyoto and Osaka day tour.

“Thank you Laura!Everything perfectly organized and your support was great!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tours, Kyoto Garden Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

15.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65

Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo, temples, gardens, bridge, and Monkey Park on a guided Kyoto walk with useful history and quieter routes.

“Great tour through Kyoto! Teri was a very friendly and informative guide who did a great job of navigating this area. She also took amazing pictures, answered all of our questions and gave helpful tips throughout.”

Check availability →Read our full review