The 12 Best Temple Walking Tours in Japan

1.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,583 reviews · 2 hours · from $22Our pick

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.”

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2.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65Top rated

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!!”

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3.Asakusa Senso-ji Temple and Old Tokyo Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 560 reviews · from $20

Spend about two hours walking through Asakusa with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll learn how to pray at Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine, browse Nakamise and Shin Nakamise, hear old Tokyo stories, and finish near Azuma Bridge. Guides have included Aya, Glenda, Keiko, Loc, and Polina.

“Cool area. I wish we had a little more time to experience the food during out tour but if you leave your schedule open afterwards it would be easy to go back to try some of her recommendations. We really enjoyed the tour and Vitator rearranged our tour time due ro scheduling conflicts and that was Greatly appreciated”

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4.Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 320 reviews · from $43

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!”

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5.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shinto & Imperial System

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 266 reviews · 90 - 135 minutes · from $23

Walk from Harajuku Station through Meiji Shrine’s 100,000-tree forest with an English-speaking guide such as Keiko, Yuuka, Ayaka, or Yuki. Learn shrine etiquette, the imperial system, Meiji-era change, sacred sake traditions, and how to read an Omigokoro poem before relaxing at Café Mori no Terrace.

“Highly recommended tour! Kaido was our guide and she walked us through the Shinto and imperial systems in Japan. Had so much background knowledge of the Meiji shrine and it was quite easy for us to navigate the whole place. We also had her help to write wishes and pray and get Hakas for the new year.”

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6.Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · 2 hours · from $19

Meet your English-speaking guide near Harajuku and walk through Meiji Jingu Gyoen to Meiji Shrine. You’ll learn Shinto customs, see sake and wine barrels, and get photos and local Tokyo tips from guides such as Maya, Yota, Andres, and Ryota.

“Rio was the guide and he was super informative and friendly. Full of energy and a good attitude. Tour was great!”

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7.Meiji Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · from $18Best value

Meet near Harajuku and walk with a guide through Meiji Jingu’s forested grounds. You’ll learn how to bow at the torii, purify yourself, pray at the shrine, and understand Emperor Meiji’s role in modern Japan. Guides have included Yumi, Sara, Haydn, Matt, and Benjamin.

“We had a great walking tour of the Meiji Shrine through the forest with Sara, our guide. She was very friendly and knowledgable and explained the important facets of the Shinto religion and customs. We had been on other tours, but hRead more”

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8.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shintoism & Imperial System

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 209 reviews · from $21

Join a small group of up to 15 at Harajuku Station for a 90-minute walk through Meiji Shrine and its forested grounds. Your guide explains Shinto rituals, the imperial system, torii gates, sake barrels, omikuji, ema, and shrine charms. Guides may include Yuuki, Nana, Keiko, or Nanami.

“The Tour with keiko as a guide has been a wonderful experience,she showed us the shrine and garden,as well her love and passion for the place,the culture and history of Japan.”

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9.Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 171 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

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.”

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10.Kamakura Historical Walking Tour with the Great Buddha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 129 reviews · from $98

Spend about five hours walking and hiking through Kamakura with a certified MagicalTrip guide. Sample street food, visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hasedera, and the Great Buddha, then see Yuigahama Beach. The group is capped at seven, with temple lunch, entrance fees, snacks, and photos included.

“Great tour with Isao (Isaac)! Enjoyed the town of kamakura and learning the history of the shrines/temples.”

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11.Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $109

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.”

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12.Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

Meet near Nagano Station and walk toward Zenkoji through old residential lanes, local shops, and shrines. Guides such as Masa and Kasumi introduce you to oyaki cooked over an irori hearth, sake, miso soup, matcha, and Japanese sweets. The small group format keeps the pace personal.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Masa. We visited a traditional Nagano building where they prepared Oyaki over the hot coals for us. Exploring the temple and learning about the different rituals of the locals was another highlight. An interesting and informative tour!”

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