Kyoto

JAPAN

15 Things To Do In Kyoto

Japan's classics.

The 15 most popular things to do in Kyoto. Temples and vermilion torii, tea ceremonies, the geisha lanes of Gion, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama.

15 Things To Do In Kyoto

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour - Starting at Kyoto Avanti: How The Day Runs Smoothly

1.PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Most Popular★ 5.0

Perfect Kyoto 1-day bus tour packs Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari into one day.

“If you’re traveling to Kyoto, don’t miss the chance to book with Nan at Panoramic Tours. She made the journey exciting, fun, and unforgettable. Her personal stories brought each stop to life. This tour is perfect for anyone wanting to experience Kyoto in a short time or get a wonderful introduction to the city.”

13,518 reviewsFrom $129.25by Japan Panoramic Tours

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

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Sanjusangen-do: 1001 Kannon statues in Japan’s longest wooden hall

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

★ 4.8

Kyoto in one packed day: Fushimi Inari torii gates, Kiyomizudera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama bamboo, and more with an English guide and included entry tickets.

“Our tour guide Den started and ended with the brightest smile. She gave us so much insight on the history of the temples and shrines we visited. I highly recommend this tour and hopefully you will get to experience the brightness that Den brought to our day!”

4,316 reviews9 hoursFrom $122by Japan Panoramic Tours

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu - Ogawa Jihei VII garden views: the calm backdrop you pay for

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Meeting by Hotel Alza Kyoto and finding the red parasols

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple - The 70-minute flow: purification, tearoom rules, and your matcha turn

5.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★ 4.9

70-minute Kyoto tea ceremony at Jotokuji Temple. English guide, purification ritual, matcha how-to, and your own cup.

“The hosts of the tea ceremony were so very sweet, charming and kind. They took the time to explain every step of the matcha tea preparation carefully and then gave us the opportunity to prepare our own tea under their guidance. Very nice experience.”

3,207 reviews1.2 hoursFrom $29by Tea Ceremony Juan

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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia - Geisha rules and trivia: why the explanations change everything

6.Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

★ 4.9

Walk Gion at night from Minamiza Theatre on a 100-minute small-group tour with geisha trivia, shrines and pagoda views, plus photo service.

“Gion magical night walk was one of the highlights for me during my Kyoto experience. I had Keven as my guide was really great and patient. He talked and explained things well and was able to learn a lot about the area as well. Overall I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this.”

2,393 reviews1.7 hoursFrom $24by TravelinGood

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Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience - Finding Tea Ceremony Koto Near Kinkakuji: Easy, but Show Up on Time

7.Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

★ 4.3

Calm Kyoto matcha lesson with a licensed Urasenke tea master. Make tea, taste two matcha styles, then optional kimono photos.

“A very beautiful activity, an experience to try in Japan. The person who explains the tea preparation does it very well, both the preparation itself and all the related customs. If you want an even more authentic experience and a nice memory, for a small extra cost you can add the option to wear a…”

2,378 reviews45 minFrom $22by Tea Ceremony Koto

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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - Stories of Geisha - Meeting at Ben’s Cookies Kyoto Shijo: where the tour starts clean and easy

8.Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

★ 4.7

Nighttime walk through Kyoto’s Gion and Pontocho, meeting geiko and maiko, with stories, shrines, and kabuki history for $20.

“To be honest everything was perfect. I was scared that there would be too many people but not at all. And the guide…the guide! We had Yuki as our guide. 10000/10. Soo cute and passionate about his city, time flew so quickly! Okini Yuki”

2,187 reviews2 hoursFrom $20by Localized Walking & Food Tours

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Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones - Starting Points and How to Meet Your Guide Without Stress

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket - Price and Time: Getting Value from 1 vs 2 Days

10.Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

★ 3.9

Hop-on hop-off bus through Kyoto’s top temples and neighborhoods with open-top views, 7-language audio, and flexible 1- or 2-day rides.

“I loved the fact that we got to visit 3 of the main places on my bucket list. Everything was well organised and our guide Lauren was fabulous and gave us a lot of local information. You have to be prepared for the number of tourists at these places as it’s a popular time to…”

2,034 reviews1 - 2 daysFrom $27by Myojo bus Co.

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Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto's Geisha District - Meeting at Gion Omoide Museum and Izutsu Yatsuhashi: the walk starts with context

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

★ 4.5

Night walk in Kyoto’s Gion with an English guide, etiquette tips, and a real chance to see geiko and maiko. 100 minutes, $21.

“This tour is an ABSOLUTE MUST for geisha lovers or anyone wanting an authentic Kyoto experience. Everything was perfect from start to finish. Mia is a wonderful, funny, and kind guide who kept us laughing while sharing her incredible knowledge. We booked this tour hoping to learn about geishas and explore their districts, but never…”

2,003 reviews1.7 hoursFrom $21by WaRaiDo Guide Networks

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Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto - Choosing flavors, toppings, and dietary needs (Halal, vegetarian, vegan)

12.Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

★ 5.0

Make ramen noodles from scratch at Ramen Factory Kyoto, customize flavors and toppings, then eat your handmade lunch. Halal, veg, vegan.

“Great experience and family friendly fun! Recommend booking time that coincides with lunch/dinner. The instructors are engaging, funny, and helpful. You will roll chicken thigh and tie it, boil it in broth, use a mini-torch to roast it after it cooks, hand-make the ramen dough, press the noodles and the enjoy your hard work with…”

1,937 reviewsFrom $131.32by Japan food entertainment Ltd

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Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour - Stop 1: Kinkakuji Temple Without Feeling Trapped

13.Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour

★ 5.0

Ride e-bikes through Kyoto temples and quiet backstreets with an English guide, helmets, and a slow, local morning feel.

“Our guide Yuta (pronounced Utah) was amazing. First off his English was the best of any Japanese guide we’ve experienced. Most interestingly, he went to a depth in explaining Japanese culture and tradition that we were not expecting; from historic facts and figures, to explaining the details of the tea ceremony, to educating us on…”

1,843 reviewsFrom $116.00by NORU

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

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings) - Starting in Gion Shirakawa: Easy Meeting, Real Atmosphere

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - Tofuji to Fushimi Inari-Taisha: the hidden trail approach

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

★ 5.0

Skip the crowds on a 3-hour Fushimi Inari hidden hike. Bamboo trails, a secret shrine, and Fushimi-Momoyama castle views for $63.

“This was a great experience. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the hike and at no time felt it was too difficult. Our guide was very friendly and easy to talk to. He gave us great insight into the shrine and various facts along the route. Well worth it”

1,750 reviewsFrom $63.14by MagicalTrip Inc.

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