TEMPLES & SHRINES · FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE TOURS
The gates run four kilometres uphill and the shrine never closes, so the tour you pick is really a choice of hour and altitude. These 15 cover the early starts, the night walks and the ones that carry on to Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama.
In Sannenzaka, an English-speaking host welcomes you into Sakaguchian, a traditional tea house overlooking a garden by Ogawa Jihei VII. You’ll watch a formal tea ceremony, learn to whisk your own matcha, enjoy a Japanese sweet, and receive a group photo. Kimono rental is not included.
“It was a wonderful moment, peaceful and well organized. Informative.”
Follow a certified MagicalTrip guide from Tofukuji through forest trails, bamboo, small shrines, and the upper paths of Fushimi Inari. The 3-hour, small-group hike approaches the famous torii gates from the quieter side. Guides such as Naru, Hina, Yuko, and Matt add history, photos, and flexible pacing.
“Great tour with EMI. She met us at the designated place, took us the opposite direction of the trip (starting at the end and finishing at the beginning) we avoided all the busy crowds that were building by the time our tour ended. Definitely gRead more”
This full-day bus tour links four major sights with an English or Chinese-speaking guide. Meet at a VIP Lounge in Osaka or Kyoto, visit Nara Park, Todai-ji, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari, then return to Osaka or Kyoto. Osaka departures can add Kobe Beef Shabu-Shabu.
“Some delays but that was not the guide´s fault. You always have those people who get lost or do not pay attention to the instructions. Maybe a smaller group is better if you dont want to deal with a bus full of passengers. The guide was great, answered to all our questions. Will definitely reccomment if you dont mind a bus full of tourist. Was great for us.”
This 9 to 10-hour bus tour links Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Arashiyama for $52. English and Chinese guides lead the day, with free time for deer crackers, shrine walks, bamboo, temples, food, and photos. Guide names vary, with Amy, Willa, Christine, and Fiona among recent leaders.
“Thank you to Amy for the wonderful day and guiding us on the tour! It was a perfect day, thank you!”
Travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nara Park, Todai-ji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine by air-conditioned bus. Enjoy lunch in a 120-year-old Kyoto townhouse, with Kobe beef, pork, or vegetarian curry. Guides such as Gary, Nick, Eric, and Mike are known for lively, helpful commentary.
“we woke up late and our guide instructed us what to do. overall a great experience for someone that wants to do a flash tour of the places. the Kobe beef was amazing and also the place was quite traditional. highly recommended for the activities and Veggie our guide”
This 11-hour English and Spanish bus tour links Kyoto’s biggest sights, beginning with early access to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and ending at Fushimi Inari. Guides such as César, Angeles, and Paula are praised for clear history and smooth bilingual service. Choose carefully: temple admissions are included only with the ticket option.
“This was a great tour. Not frenetic, we were able to relax for 15-20 minutes on the bus between stops. Cesar our guide and Ken-san our driver were both excellent. We had a good amount of time at each stop except for the last stop, but it was getting dark anyway. I highly recommend it!!”
Meet your guide by the fox statue at Fushimi Inari Taisha and follow the torii-lined mountain paths for 90 minutes to two hours. Guides including Jem, Tammy, Caleb, Hiro, Masaki, and Yessi explain Shinto customs, fox symbolism, prayer rituals, and the shrine’s place in Kyoto.
“Wonderful tour! Our tour guide Jem was super friendly and fun! She was very informed about the area and clearly knew what she was doing. Also had a bunch of fun stories about the site which were very interesting and educational! Beautiful site and great tour overall. Worth the walking!”
Start near Tofukuji Station and approach Fushimi Inari by quiet neighborhood lanes, forest paths, bamboo groves, and lesser-visited altars. Your English-speaking guide leads a small group of up to nine people over roughly 7 kilometers, with photo stops and practical help with Shinto customs.
“It was fun hiking tour that you wouldn't experience on your own! Highly recommended!”
See Arashiyama’s Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji, and Nara Park on a guided Kyoto and Nara day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. Expect an English-speaking guide, coach transport, optional buffet lunch, and help from guides such as Eiko, Yuki, Jewel, or Maki, depending on the departure.
“Good example of a perfect guided day trip. Entertaining, informative, beautiful scenery, not too packed schedule. Eiko is an amazing and very knowledgeable guide, she provided us with background information on all the sites while traveling + a detailed plan in case anyone got lost and needed to find their way back. On top of that, she was able to get the whole group deer crackers in Nara at 4pm when all the stores had already been sold out. Thanks so much for the unforgettable experience!”
Meet early at Kyoto Station for a 4 to 5 hour English tour by public transportation. Visit Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji, and Togetsukyo Bridge with a small group and guides such as Vincent, Caleb, Hiro, or Eri. Train fare is extra, and Tenryu-ji admission should be confirmed.
“Our guide Vincent was amazing and very knowledgeable. He was accompanied by Eri, who was equally amazing. Vincent definitely knows his “craft”. We would highly recommend Vincent and Eri to other travelers.”
Walk Fushimi Inari Shrine after sunset with an English-speaking Tomodachi Tours guide such as Hiro, Jem, or Vincent. In two hours, you’ll learn the meaning of the torii gates, visit quieter shrine areas, and climb partway up the mountain. Expect uphill walking, lantern light, and about 300 yen in transport costs.
“Amazing tour, mostly thanks to Hiro. He is extremely attentive and friendly, high mastery of English language and really passionate about Japanese culture. He made the tour so interactive and enjoyable that the 2 hours flew by without is noticing. Hiro’s exchange program really allows him to converse and bond with people from different cultures: he is a gem.”
Travel from Osaka to Kyoto by air-conditioned bus, with an English-speaking guide handling transport between Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, and the Sagano Romantic Train. Expect a full day, substantial walking, assigned train seats, and optional Japanese lunch.
“Excellent tour of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi with breathtaking and panoramic views Eric the tour guide is very knowledgeable, informative and helpful. It was a great experience . We would highly recommend this tour”
Start early at Kyoto Station and walk with an English-speaking local guide through Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Gion, and Yasaka Shrine. The private format suits families and couples, while guide Ikki is praised for clear English, local insight, and taking excellent photos.
“Wonderful tour of beautiful shrines and temples of Kyoto! We loved Ikki-san! He is informative, respectful and so helpful and kind. We enjoyed learning from Ikki; he taught us so many things about the culture and history of Kyoto. Thank you for taking our photos too! We enjoyed our time together and look forward to returning to Kyoto again in the future. His recommendations are excellent and he was so patient and funny too!”
Join a Kyoto local at Yasaka Shrine for a three-hour walk through Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka. You’ll visit Kiyomizu-dera, drink matcha, sample snacks, and learn tea ceremony customs. Guides such as Hide add local stories, photos, and a relaxed pace to this small-group outing.
“Got in a panic to start with as couldn't find tour guide place to meet needs more explanation. Once started tour was great guide very knowledgeable and helpful. He made it very relaxed and he told photos which was great. Wonderful experience thank you.”
Walk from Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates through Gion, Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, and Yasaka Shrine with an English-speaking local guide. Expect cultural explanations, shrine customs, photo stops, public transit, and a brisk 2.5-hour route. Guides such as Ikki, Yui, Yuki, and Mariko have led recent tours.
“Lovely tour and a great way to get the lay of the land without as many crowds. Joi was our guide and he did a sterling job!”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
