TEMPLES & SHRINES · KYOTO TEMPLE TOURS
Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, the bamboo and the golden pavilion, in whatever order beats the crowd. The 15 below compare walking days, bus tours and the private guides who know which gate to use.
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!”
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!”
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!!”
Spend five hours walking through Arashiyama with a bilingual guide such as Karim, Tom, Francis, or Toru. Visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji Temple, and Iwatayama Monkey Park, with an alternate sake brewery and lunch option available on some departures.
“Kevin was my guide and he was absolutely fantastic! Really friendly and took the time to chat to everyone - he was also happy to suggest other things to do in Kyoto and how to avoid the crowds. This is really a full morning with lots of things to see but also opportunities to sit and relax. Would really recommend!! Thanks Kevin”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Tim, Amy, Nay, or Gabriele for a four-hour walk through Arashiyama. Visit Tenryu-ji, Nonomiya Shrine, the bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park, with a Uji matcha drink included.
“That authentic matcha tea break was such a lovely cultural touch. The traditional preparation and pure flavor really enhanced our understanding of Japanese tea ceremony. Perfect refreshing moment before the monkey park hike adventure.”
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!!”
Travel by comfortable air-conditioned bus from Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, the Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo, and Kiyomizu-dera. English-speaking guides such as KC, Miyuki, and Yoshitaka Harada add history and practical help. Expect a full, fast-moving day.
“Not an huge fan of group bus tour but our guide KC from JTB was exceptional! On a very hot 40c++ day 😅 he took great care of the group. Asked each of us often if we were okay due to risk of potential heat stroke (really). He was funnyRead more”
Spend 10 to 11 hours visiting Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Todai-ji, Kasuga Shrine, and Nara Park. An English-speaking guide, admission fees, and air-conditioned transport are included. Choose a lunch option or eat independently near Kyoto Station.
“We were very disappointed with this tour. We discontinued after 1.5 hours. Unfortunately there were many sick passengers on the bus without masks. We addressed our concerns twice with the tour guide but we were dismissed. We had people behind us that clearly had the flu - coughing, sneezing and snorting. We were not prepared to put our own health at risk. Very disappointing response from Viator when we escalated a complaint with no refund,”
Walk through Kyoto’s Tofukuji area with guides such as Yutaka, Yukata, or Hikari, learn about Zen and Buddhism, sit in a guided zazen session with a monk, and enjoy a traditional Buddhist lunch. The four-and-a-half-hour tour is limited to seven people.
“Yutaka was an incredible guide—knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely excited to share the depth of Kyoto’s history with us. He had a gift for explaining all the little details throughout the tour, whether we were visiting Buddhist temples, SRead more”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Myoshin-ji, then walk to Jusho-in Temple for two 20-minute zazen sessions with abbot Eitetsu Nishida. Learn about Rinzai Zen, share matcha and seasonal sweets, and receive professional photographs after this intimate two-hour experience.
“Loved this experience from start to finish! Everyone there was kind, patient, and informative and happy to answer all our questions. Learned lots and had a nice relaxing day too!”
Choose a Nishijin kimono, have your hair styled, and learn Japanese tea ceremony customs near Imamiya Jinjya Shrine. A tea master with 30 years of study demonstrates the ritual, then you prepare matcha yourself with seasonal sweets. The 90-minute activity ends at the meeting point.
“The ladies that host and perform the tea ceremony were absolutely wonderful! They were very detailed in explaining all aspects of the ceremony and demonstrating for us all how it’s done. Then the best part we got to perform the ceremony and served tea while wearing our most beautiful kimonos. I highly recommend this event to anyone who is interested in learning about a very important aspect of the Japanese culture.”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
