Things to do in Kyoto

You must be itching to explore Kyoto’s temples, gardens and scenery the city is famous for, but figuring out how to keep an entire family entertained is tough. Join one of our hosts, who will take the reins so you can enjoy your family trip. From the Kyoto Railway Museum to the Shoren-in Temple with gardens for the kids to play, your host will plan a day which reflects your family’s interests. And when tummies start rumbling, your host will show you where to slurp away on ramen - yum!

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

The Railway Museum, one of Japan's largest, proudly displays a diverse and precious collection of rolling stock, from steam locomotives to Shinkansen trains, including 53 cars that played a vital role in the modernization of Japan (you can find the list of train cars in Japanese). The museum's theme is "Look, Touch, and Experience," and visitors can explore numerous intricate exhibits.

Visit of Bamboo Grove in Kyoto

Spend the day with one of our friendly hosts as you take to the streets of Kyoto and unleash your inner explorer! Visit iconic and sacred sites, or explore the culturally rich entertainment district of Kamishichiken and Gion together. Not your vibe? Get off the beaten tourist track and explore hidden gems in the city that only a local would know about. Wherever you roam, keep your eyes open to the astonishing natural beauty of Kyoto.

Within 24 hours after booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded local host. Your local host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do

Enjoy a dreamy day trip to the tranquil district of Arashiyama, home to famous Bamboo Grove and some very cheeky monkeys! Visit some of the temples and explore the riverbanks around the Togetsukyo Bridge. Venture to the well-preserved, Saga-Toriimoto Street and smaller sites like Gioji. Sample an authentic meal at a neighborhood eatery - we find that lunch always seems to roll around eventually.

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide, explore the area of Arashiyama and Sagano, where aristocrats once unwound in their villas more than 1,000 years ago.

The highlights of this tour include the scenic countryside views from Togetsukyo bridge; Tenryu-ji temple with its beautiful traditional gardens; the enchanting world from within the Bamboo Grove; and Jojakko-ji Temple with its breathtaking green moss. During the tour you will also visit some secret spots unfamiliar to the usual tourists.

Enjoy the walk and delicious food while learning about Japanese culture and history. Our guides are looking forward to arranging a tour that’s best for you!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Join one of our hosts to immerse yourself in the delicious world of traditional Japanese wagashi - sweet confections. Japanese culinary pursuits are precise and packed with extraordinary flavor, and wagashi is no different. Visit Nishiki Market, a food market as well as a traditional tea house to find the staple ingredients of Kyoto’s cuisine and try some of the yummy sweets. You won’t know whether you should devour or Instagram these beauties.

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

The life of a geisha is shrouded in secrecy, but you’ll be offered a rare glimpse into this ‘Floating World’ as you explore Gion with one of our hosts. Visit the famous Pontocho alley; a narrow passageway lined with bars, restaurants, and traditional geisha tea houses. You’ll also explore the scenic street of Shimbashi. Enjoy this ethereal evening with your host, as you travel back in time together (figuratively, of course).

After booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host who will personalize the itinerary to your requests and interests.

We will visit Arashiyama in Kyoto: city, nature and history.

We will visit Kyoto through its famous Bouddhist temples: Golden and Silver Pavilions, Sanjusangendo and Toji temple.

Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visiting various styled gardens and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design.

Our government-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Kyoto.

Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Kyoto for a truly memorable experience!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

We will visit Kyoto through its different sides: imperial, samurai and religious palaces.

Feel aesthetic sense by learning flower arrangements 'KADO' at traditional house in Kyoto

Ancient Kyoto, known for its world heritage sites! Feel the history!

Have a sake adventure: learn the history, taste many kinds, and visit Kyoto's major brewery district

Kyoto's imperial palace and Nijo Castle

- Our knowledgeable local guide will lead you to a hidden gem, a serene Japanese temple, and a picturesque garden that often eludes tourists' radars. We'll provide insights on appreciating Japanese garden aesthetics, drawing intriguing comparisons between Eastern and Western beauty. The morning ambiance is truly invigorating, allowing for a leisurely stroll through this enchanting area, with delightful stops at traditional shops along the way.

- We'll explore some of Arashiyama's renowned landmarks, including the iconic bamboo grove and the scenic Okawauchi Sanso garden, where we can relish a serene garden walk.

- Our next destination is the UNESCO World Heritage site, Tenryu-ji Temple, where we'll immerse ourselves in the tranquility and elegance of Zen. Inside the temple grounds, you'll discover a restaurant serving authentic Syo-jin cuisine, originally crafted for Buddhist monks, providing an opportunity to savor authentic Kyoto dishes.

Higashiyama is another area you can never miss in Kyoto. Kiyomizu temple, Ginkakuji temple and many other tourist spots are here.

Kyoto's No.1 Fushimi Inari tour, through a hidden hiking trail up the mountain.

From the bamboo forest, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge to Japanese monkeys! A trip to Kyoto that can be enjoyed with all five senses.