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Book NowTake a 4- or 6-hour private tour with a guide to see the best of Kyoto. Customize your own itinerary to your heart's content.
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Book NowAt a morning cooking lesson in Kyoto, you may learn how to make the usual Japanese cuisine found in a bento box. Make your own bento lunch with the help of fluent English-speaking experts. Learn about the history of the Japanese dish bento.
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Book NowOn a walking food tour, explore the Nishiki Culinary Market, which is referred to by locals as the "kitchen of Kyoto."
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Book NowWear a traditional Japanese kimono as you stroll around this historic city. If you're looking for a truly unique cultural experience, this is the place for you.
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Book NowSame-day or 24-hour ticket, hop on board this sightseeing bus to see the best of Kyoto. The open-top bus gives you a bird's-eye perspective of the city as you go around it.
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Book NowTake a stroll-and-dine that includes two Kyoto standing bars, a meal's worth of tapas and small plates, plus a bonus entertaining and intriguing excursion through the famous Gion district's labyrinth of entertainment venues.
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Book NowOn this journey, you'll experience the best of Kyoto, a city full of cultural attractions and must-see destinations. Explore the city's famous Geisha neighborhood, Gion, with its torii-lined streets, serene Zen gardens, and other hidden gems.
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Book NowThe geisha world is still very much alive in Kyoto's most traditional district, Gion. You'll learn about the geishas' past and present as you tour this beautiful region with a native guide. Read on to discover more about the kimono and the traditional geisha haircut.
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Book NowTake part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and discover its many perks. With an English-speaking Urasenke master, you'll learn about the tea ceremony's history and the various methods of producing it.
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Book NowWith a private tour, you'll get to see the best of Kyoto's Zen gardens. Customize your own six-hour itinerary to your heart's content.
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Book NowTake a rickshaw tour around Kyoto's greenest, most gorgeous, and most historic area, Arashiyama, with your personal guide.
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Book NowA day excursion from Osaka to Kyoto is a wonderful way to experience the local culture. Inari Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, and Arashiyama are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Book NowSpend a memorable day at a hidden gem just outside of Kyoto's city limits. To get a good workout, hike to the top of Kurama Mountain while soaking in the natural scenery. Enjoy a soak in the hot springs while admiring the beautiful Japanese landscape.
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Book NowDress and pose like a true maiko, or apprentice geiko. This unique experience in Kyoto can be documented by having your hair styled with a wig, having traditional makeup applied, and then having photos taken at a studio. Share the pictures with your loved ones.
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Book NowLocals know the best places for families in the city and what to expect from a day out with the kids.
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Book NowExplore the outskirts of Kyoto to see the spectacular natural splendor of the Hozu river, which flows between verdant mountains and whispering bamboo trees. Get a taste of Japan's spiritual and cultural side by visiting some of the country's stunning historic temples.
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Book NowThe Togetsukyo Bridge, a bamboo forest, and the Tenryu-ji Temple, with its lovely traditional gardens, are all included in this tour. Sagano is next on the itinerary, so make your way there next. Many shops and local food stalls await your exploration as you stroll through the city.
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Book NowTake a personalized walking tour of Kyoto and tailor it to suit your specific interests. There will be a local host who shares your interests and a personalized itinerary that fits your needs.
Marco Polo Guided Tours earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Your support is much appreciated.
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Book NowExplore some of Kyoto's most popular attractions. With a private guide and vehicle, see temples, gardens, and the lively old town.
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Book NowThis delicious nighttime food tour of Kyoto takes you to Gion and Shirakawa. It focuses on traditional Japanese culture and Kaiseki cuisine, which is a Japanese banquet with many courses and flavors from all over the world.
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Book NowThis Kyoto full-day private charter explores Japanese culture and history. Your group will experience a personalized tour of Kyoto's UNESCO-listed temples and cultural landmarks by van, bus, or limousine. Visit the city at your own leisure with a guide or driver. Don't miss Kyoto's best.
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Book NowOn a private walking tour of Kyoto, you can decide exactly what places you want to see and when you want to see them. This tour is great for first-timers because it allows you to design your own half-or full-day schedule. Consider visiting the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or straying off the main route to discover an entirely different aspect of Japan's most famous capital city, Kyoto. Guests will be picked up and dropped off at their hotel as part of the package.
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Book NowIf you're visiting Japan for the first time, take part in a tea ceremony and don traditional kimonos to learn about the culture. Get to know Japanese culture and taste matcha green tea, a local delicacy, throughout the ceremony. If you wear a traditional kimono, you'll be sure to get a lot of photos to remember your time in Kyoto.
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Book NowThis itinerary is perfect if you have one day in Kyoto and want to see the top 10 sights. A local guide shows you the best, most comfortable route. Enjoy stunning scenery, pathways, and back alleys that few locals know about. To save time and energy, we take three taxis. This tour makes use of both public transportation and taxis. Thanks to taxis and a pleasant local guide, you may tour the 10 most famous places, including Fushimi Inari shrine (thousands of Torii gates), Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu temple (with a gigantic balcony), bamboo forest, Geisha district, etc. This trip includes all of Kyoto's must-see spots. Enjoy your guide's top 10 sites and stories.
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Book NowThis customized tour is great for first-timers visiting Kyoto. Choose from two routes that cover Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple with a personal guide. Northwest-bound visitors will see the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and Arashiyama Park's bamboo forests. The southeast track includes Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and Gion. This private trip is guide-only.
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Book NowOnly a few individuals are familiar with the ingredients that go into the creation of Japanese cuisine's iconic dishes. Nishiki Market's 400-year-old food stalls are a great place to meet local business owners and buy fresh goods. Donburi, a Japanese rice and beef dish, will be the result of a hands-on cooking class and a trip to the market.
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Book NowIf you want to learn more about Kyoto's food culture than you could on your own, sign up for this guided tour. Small pubs and restaurants in Gion and Pontocho will serve you traditional Japanese food while you look around.
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Book NowThis tour explores the entire bamboo forest. Rickshaws and feet! After the main street, visit the bamboo forest. Enjoy the verdant bamboo as your guide pulls you along a rickshaw-only path. Prepare your camera or phone for photos. This is important. After crossing the Nonomiya Shrine, you'll enter a park-like section of the bamboo forest. Here, we can take group photos against the green bamboo. On the route to the last stretch of the bamboo forest, you'll pass an Edo-era scene. Our guide will park the rickshaw within walking distance and then lead you to the most famous and impressive portion of the bamboo forest. (Before noon is best to avoid crowds.)
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Book NowKyoto's ancient neighborhoods and scenic parklands are bikeable. This tour visits five of Kyoto's top sights in one day by bicycle. Enjoy views of the Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu Temple, take photos near the redtorii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, and visit the Bamboo Forest and geisha area.
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Book NowThis 1- or 2-hour class teaches samurai basics. Choose the 1-hour class to learn the foundations of samurai art or the 1.5-hour session to practice more complicated maneuvers with a sword and folding fan. After class, take photos in your samurai outfit and earn a certificate. This samurai session includes an English-speaking guide and an authentic Japanese towel.
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Book NowAn evening tour of Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine is the perfect way for photography enthusiasts to capture one of Japan's most famous landmarks. After the people have dissipated and the area has taken on a creepy atmosphere, you can tour the shrine with the help of a professional photographer and learn how to take the best photos for social media and personal photos.
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Book NowOver half a million people visit Kyoto every year, making it one of the most congested cities in Japan. With an early start, you'll beat the crowds and get more done during your day. Walk through Fushimi Inari gates before the midday heat sets in at Kinkaku-ji temple.
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Book NowRent a kimono with hairstyle included and look your best while exploring Kyoto. The best shots may be taken outside of Kyoto's tourist attractions when you wear traditional Japanese clothes. In addition, renting a car for a longer period of time gives you more freedom to plan your day.
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Book NowKyoto's culture is best discovered through Geishas and their rituals. On this personalized trip, you'll learn about geishas and the city's distinctive traditions. Visit Minamiza Theatre, Maruyama Park, and more to learn about Kyoto's past and present. This cultural trip will show you Kyoto as the people do. With locals' Treasures of Kyoto Tour is offered in major cities globally. We employ local guides who are paid fairly. We assist local economies by exclusively selling local products and allowing small, non-intrusive groups. Carbon-neutral, off-the-beaten-path tours.
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Book NowExplore Kyoto's history and culture via food and anthropology on this walking tour. Explore the city's nightlife, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses, by taking a stroll through the streets. Sample local delicacies and drinks at standing bars and restaurants thereafter.
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Book Now- Our staff will help you wear your favorite kimono.
- Our kimono instructor will explain kimono history.
- kimono-clad Visit Kinkakuji Temple. Kinkakuji temple is 3 minutes from our activity site.
- Eat at Kinkaku, a popular neighborhood restaurant, after seeing Kinkakuji.
- After lunch, remove your kimono and visit Ryuanji-temple (Stone temple).
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Book NowThis 30-minute scarf-making session in Kyoto teaches "shibori." Your guide will teach you about Japanese art and culture. Make a scarf with traditional tools and textiles, then show it to friends and family.
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Book NowOur licensed, multilingual guides will show you sides of Japan that most tourists miss. This brief journey to Niji-jo Castle is a great deal. We'll help you explore Niji-jo Castle. Learn why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the outstanding example of feudal era castle design. Enjoy Nijo-jo Castle's greatest tour!
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Book NowThe Kyoto Shibori Museum is a great place to learn how to dye silk scarves using the sekka shibori method, a centuries-old Japanese art form. You'll take home a gorgeous scarf as a keepsake from your private lesson in Kyoto.
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Book NowStroll around Gion before breakfast. Walk through Gion to start the tour. A native guide will show you Kyoto's peaceful morning town. Nishiki Market is Kyoto's "one-of-a-kind" breakfast spot. The Nishiki market has been known as the "Kitchen of Kyoto" for almost 400 years. "Kitchen of Kyoto" means that Nishiki Market has Kyoto's famous gourmet foods.
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Buy guided tours to maximize your vacation time.
We work with the most prominent and best-known travel companies to put together a list of curated guided tours for you to choose from at your own pace. If you buy any of them, we get a small commission without you having to pay extra.
Table of Contents
What are guided tours?
Guided tours are all-inclusive group travel experiences often guided by a local travel guide and follow a set agenda for a particular tourist attraction or local activity. Several sightseeing guided tours, skip-the-line tickets for major tourist destinations, group day/night trips, food and wine tastings, and even airport transfers are available.
Should I use guided tours on my vacations?
Explore and experience your destination like a local.
Find hidden Gems! There are guided trips to locations and activities you had no idea existed!
See it all! Get personalized recommendations before and during your trip to experience all your destination has to offer. Experience your travel destination like a local. Uncover hidden Gems!
Avoid scams and pay better prices
Secure the deal you can! It is usual for unscrupulous local tour agencies to overcharge you, so schedule your guided excursions ahead of time.
I have a tight budget, can I still buy a guided tour?
Whatever your budget, there is almost certainly a guided tour for you among the huge range available.
Save time, and Get the most out of your trip.
Don’t let your vacation time go wasted! Standing in line isn’t the place to make memories. If you plan early, you may avoid long queues at some of the world’s most popular sites.
With a planned tour schedule, you know exactly what you will be doing every day, without any risk of disappointment.
Check reviews before buying a guided tour
Overwhelmed by options and unsure which guided tour to take? Check out other users’ reviews to determine which activities are suitable for you.
No risk to you. Free cancellation
For many of the guided tours, you can change your mind and cancel your booking without penalty up to 24 hours before the date of the activity. This is very helpful in the event your travel plans changes last minute
Meet people all over the world, make new friends on your next vacation
Your guided tours are a great way to meet new people from all over the world.
Types of guided tours available for your vacation
Depending upon the city you are traveling to, there are practically any guide tours and activities for everybody. There are outdoor guided tours, water activities, Nature routes, Music celebrations, Local food trips, Workshops and Classes, Arts Performances, Hidden Gems exploration, beer or wine drinking and tasting tours, exclusive TV & Movies trips, romantic couple trips, kids’ activities, tours to Parks and Gardens, Island exploration tours, visits popular landmarks, Museum guided trips and tickets, Airport transfer services, Memorials for you to check out to under the local culture and history, go up Towers & viewing platforms to get a birds-eye view of the landscape, shopping tours, theaters and concert halls, come by ports and harbors, sightseeing cruise, bikes for leasing, helicopter trips, ferryboat tickets, Jeep and SUV for rental, yacht services and sailboat rental.