TEMPLES & SHRINES · JAPAN TEMPLE TOURS
Kyoto's torii mountain, Tokyo's oldest temple, the gilded halls at Nikko. The 15 below are compared on walking distance, entry tickets and which ones start early enough to beat the coaches.
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.”
At Jotokuji Temple, Kate, Taka, or another English-speaking host guides you through purification, temple customs, and a traditional matcha ceremony. A tea master demonstrates each measured step, then helps you whisk your own tea. Expect sweets, calm surroundings, and a small group of no more than 10.
“It was the best! The host was so nice and the tea master great! Thank you! I definitely recommend this!”
Travel from Tokyo to four Mt. Fuji viewpoints with an English or Chinese guide. Visit Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park, and the thatched village of Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato. Guides such as Omar, Koji, George, and Eric are known for clear instructions, humor, and local stories. Lunch is optional.
“Omar is a class act ! Superb knowledge, whilst keeping it fun with his jokes. Tour was great, get to visit so many various places that you wouldn’t know about other wise!”
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.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon Gate for a two-hour walk through Asakusa. See Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise and Shin-Nakamise streets, Hoppy Street, and finish near Azuma Bridge. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Glenda are praised for clear explanations and useful food tips.
“An unforgettable experience. Aka—if I’ve recalled her nickname correctly—was absolutely fantastic. She offered a rich tapestry of insights and anecdotes, all conveyed with radiant enthusiasm and a charming personality. Her warmth, energy, and depth made the experience truly memorable. I wholeheartedly recommend her, Francois.”
Leave Ginza by air-conditioned coach for Nikko’s cedar forests, ornate Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji. English and Spanish guides such as Melody, Jorge, Bert, and Francisco explain the culture and keep meeting times clear. Choose carefully: shrine entry and lunch depend on your booking option.
“Eric is a great guide, helpful, polite and informative, it was a great day out, lots of time at the stops, the only bad thing was the overpriced temple ticket it's cheaper to buy it online separate from the tour.”
Travel from Tokyo to Kamakura and Enoshima by air-conditioned vehicle with an English or Chinese-speaking guide. Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hasedera, the Great Buddha, and Enoshima’s shrine, caves, shopping street, and Sea Candle. Guides such as Eric, Yuki, Omar, and Mitsuko are praised for clear explanations and careful timing.
“A very nice tour to the highlights of Kamakura. Our Guide Yuki had the best tips and a lot of interesting information for us and got us to the best spots. It was a very hot day, but a very enjoyable one.”
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 Tokyo to Nikko with an English and Chinese-speaking guide such as Zoe, Tina, or Jeff. Visit the ornate Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and, from October 1, 2025, Shinkyo Bridge. The coach includes comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and USB charging on some departures. Lunch and the waterfall elevator cost extra.
“Our guide, Zoe, was simply awesome! She turned an anyway amazing trip into an unforgettable experience. Definitely recommend!”
Travel from Ginza to Nikko by air-conditioned bus with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji, with free time at each stop. Guides such as Jorge, Melody, Eric, and Bert are praised for clear explanations and helpful advice.
“George is amazing! He made this experience fun and exciting. I would give him and the experience 5+ star.”
Spend about nine hours touring Tokyo by air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide. Visit Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Odaiba, Senso-ji, and the 350-meter SKYTREE® Tembo Deck. A late Western-style buffet lunch at Haneda Airport Garden is included.
“We had a great day in Tokyo with our guide Sébastien. He showed us a lot of nice places and made this day for us something we will always remember. He listened very well to our whishes and changed the tour so we could also see the Sky tower! We will recommend this tour to everyone!”
Spend five to six hours walking Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Teri, Mari, or Marie. Visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park, with a steep 20 to 25 minute climb to the hilltop.
“This was a nice long tour that could have been done alone but was much easier with a guide. Marie was cheerful, very professional, easy to understand and a good shepherd through a busy set of sites. This tour needs to be run like clockwork, and it did!!”
Travel from Nagano to Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. English-speaking guides such as Tom, Kieran, Nadine, and Endo help explain each stop. Lunch is included, but plan for a steep, icy forest walk to the monkeys, especially in winter.
“We were lucky to have Tom as our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about Japanese history but also gave an excellent summary of sake production and the different types as well as the snow monkeys and Nagano attractions. Tom was also very generous with recommendations for other areas in Japan. The tour was an excellent combination of the temple tour and snow monkey forest. Fantastic lunch included. Plenty of time to see the Zenkoji temple as well as the monkeys. Thanks Tom”
Travel from Tokyo to Kamakura, Lake Ashi, Oshino Hakkai, and Fuji-area viewpoints in about 11 hours. Your English or bilingual guide may include Bertrand, Jorge, Raul, or Paula, depending on the departure. Choose options with the Big Buddha, boat cruise, and lunch included.
“4 in 1 day means that it is, indeed, a right schedule with lots of time on the bus. However, if you travel with Pastor, Fran V. and Waku, you will be having lovely entertainers and good storytellers. For those, who prefer not to arrange travels to Mount Fuji on their own, it is definitely a good Choice!”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
