Things to Do in Kyoto
• Enjoy flexibility with 3 routes and 14 carefully chosen stops across Kyoto. Buses run every 40 minutes, so you can savor each location to your heart's content.
• Climb aboard open-top buses and enjoy audio commentary in 7 languages. Watch Kyoto's captivating streetscapes unfold before your eyes as you tour the city.
• Journey through time at the UNESCO site Nijo Castle, the 18th-century Imperial Palace, and along the enchanting Kamo River.
Experience the Enchanting World of the Geisha on Our Kyoto Night Walking Tour
Step into the magical realm of the Geisha on our captivating night walking tour in Kyoto. With our local expert guides, you'll be immersed in a world of elegance and grace, discovering the hidden stories that make this culture so fascinating.
Delve into the truth behind the captivating figures of the Geisha, going beyond the fictionalized portrayals from "Memoirs of a Geisha." Hear firsthand accounts that debunk myths and provide an authentic glimpse into their lives.
Make this unforgettable experience a highlight of your Japanese adventure. Don't miss the chance to learn about this iconic aspect of Japanese culture before you leave!
Join us for an enchanting evening—we can't wait to share this unique experience with you!
On this tour of Nara, we'll see the famous sika deer park and historic shrines like Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. We'll also visit Uji, home of matcha!
Discover one of the cities where dreams come true, where major industries like Nintendo were born, and join a grand adventure filled with colorful landscapes, geishas, samurai, temples, and much more.
Itinerary:
The tour starts from the SANJO-OHASHI Bridge Station, where we will take a short walk along the KAMOGAWA River, where you will hear stories of how Kyoto became the capital of Japan and one of the most important cities.
Later , we will find the most beautiful place in Kyoto, the Geisha District (GION) , where you can observe an atmosphere of ancient architecture called Machi-Ya , traditional wooden houses that are more than 150 years old , a memorable place to keep in our memories.
The next stop will be at CHION-IN SAMON , one of the most prestigious temples in Japan , where we will explain how the Japanese introduced Buddhism as a religion and why Christianity was a complete failure.
During the tour we will enter HISASHI-YAMA, one of the most historic areas of Kyoto , where you will be delighted with fascinating stories of ancient emperors and samurai warriors (Shoguns).
Finally, we will visit the Koshindo Monkey Temple and see the gigantic Yasaka Pagoda, built in the 7th century by Prince Shotoku.
Kyoto is an interesting city that will fill you not only with history and temples, but also with a wide variety of cuisines. Once you've finished the tour, we'll give you recommendations for restaurants and activities.
We’re excited to bring our highly rated tour — with over 1,000 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 rating on a world-renowned travel site — to GuruWalk!
This tour is limited to 10 people, so it is easy to ask questions to your guide, and you will have a comfortable time.
Starting from Minamiza Theater as known as landmark in Gion, we will first head to a geisha district.
In this area, you will not only enjoy the traditional streets, but also learn the mysterious rules and trivia of geisha culture from your guide.
Next, you will also have a chance to see a shrine for matchmaking and a beautiful Buddhist pagoda.
Your guide will take your picture there if you want.
You will then continue to explore hidden spots and pathways, and end the tour with a visit to a shrine that is over 1000 years old.
This tour is a great way to gain a better understanding of Kyoto's traditional streets and local culture.
Let us help you make wonderful memories in Kyoto!
Feel free to send me a message if you need more slots!
Step into the enchanting world of Kyoto's timeless charm with our "Timeless Kyoto: Free Walking Tour of Historic Landmarks"!
Embark on a journey through centuries of history and culture as we explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems nestled within this ancient city. From the vibrant streets of Hanamikoji-dori to the serene beauty of Maruyama Park, each step unveils a new chapter in Kyoto's rich heritage.
Join us on this immersive two-hour adventure as we unravel the mysteries of Kyoto's past and present, leaving you with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Book your spot now and let the magic of Kyoto captivate your senses!
Minamiza Theater
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Hanami Koji Street
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Yasaka Jinjya Shrine
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Maruyama Park
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Chion-in Temple
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Shirakawa Minami Street
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The tour ends at the same location as the departure location.
• Be a part of exciting events that dive deep into the marine world, a fun, interactive twist to regular sightseeing.
• From watching a mesmerizing dolphin show to feeding cutesy penguins, this ticket opens up unique experiences for you to cherish.
• Did you know? The aquarium uses pure groundwater from Kyoto's wells to create an authentic habitat for its marine life.
🌿 Small group, real conversations
This is not a big-group tour. I usually welcome only one small group at a time, so the experience feels personal and relaxed.
If you are tired of crowded tours and prefer real conversations, this is the perfect choice. After the walk, I’ll also share a list of my favorite hidden cafés, shops, and spots in Kyoto, so you can continue exploring like a local.
And if there’s a place or topic you’re especially curious about, let me know—I’ll do my best to prepare and send you extra recommendations afterward.
🍵About this tour
Kyoto is a maze made of time.
A friend once captured its spirit perfectly: “Kyoto is like an ancient fossil—when you brush off the dust, each spark of light comes from a different century.”
For a thousand years this city guided Japan’s culture. The noise of old parades and battles has faded into calm stone paths and quiet, dark-gray rooftops. Wander here and you might hope to meet a geisha, yet she could slip down a side street before nightfall and leave you guessing. Step into a shrine and rows of tiny altars invite you to dig for forgotten stories of love, loss, and courage. Even a breeze along a shaded lane carries rumors of romance.
Kyoto hides its wonders in silence. It never boasts; once you understand, it simply opens its arms.
Think of the city as a strange, four-dimensional space where every crossroads is a doorway in history. This walking tour will guide you through that thousand-year dream. We will trace small clues—a carved beam, a lantern’s paint, the scent of incense—and fit them together like pieces of a living mosaic. By the end, Kyoto’s beauty will no longer feel like a flat symbol from a postcard. It will feel alive, breathing beside our own era, a gentle spirit walking with us.
Welcome to book a place on my walking tour! Ask anything you like along the way—curiosity is always welcome.
• Travel in comfort in an air-conditioned luxury coach with an English-speaking guide, a multilingual audio guide, and Wi-Fi service on board.
• Walk through the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove and visit Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning Zen gardens.
• Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple for panoramic city views and Sanju-san-gen-do to see 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
• Marvel at the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji and stroll through Fushimi Inari Shrine’s endless rows of red torii gates.
• Upgrade and enjoy a Japanese-style buffet lunch featuring a Japanese set meal including local delicacies, seafood, and more.
⛩️ Discover with us the best of Kyoto on this fascinating and authentic free walking tour guided by Eze and Dani, local guides with more than 3 years in Japan and passionate about its culture who will share with you the secrets and magic of the city!
This tour is specially designed to bring you unforgettable memories of your visit ✨
We will begin by exploring the mysterious Nejirimampo Tunnel, a place full of history and charm.
We will continue with a visit to the historic Nanzen-ji Temple, an important center of Zen Buddhism, and Eikando Temple, famous for its gardens and the statue of Amida.
We will also walk along the iconic “Philosopher’s Path,” a unique path that connects you to the peace and natural beauty of Kyoto, and we will end by inviting you to enter the impressive Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, a World Heritage Site, a place that captures the essence of Japanese spirituality.
Route:
- Nejirimampo Tunnel (free)
- Nanzen-ji Temple (free)
- Eikando Temple (Entrance fee ¥600)*
- Tetsugaku no Michi / The Path of the Philosopher (free)
- Ginkaku-ji (exterior visit: free)
*🎫 NOTICE: The tour requires payment of the entrance fee to the “Eikando Temple” (¥600)
Experience Kyoto in an authentic way with local guides who will allow you to connect deeply with its history, culture and most emblematic landscapes.
A unique experience that you cannot miss.
We look forward to showing you the best of our city!
• Marvel at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Nijo Castle and the Kinkaku-ji Temple.
• Explore the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the former place of residence of the Japanese Imperial Family, or the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (if the palace is closed).
• Enjoy Kyoto’s natural charm and gain insight into the city’s main attractions from your English-speaking guide.
• Fun Fact: The Kinkaku-Ji Temple, a Zen temple, is called the Golden Pavilion because the top two stories of the gorgeous pavilion are entirely covered in gold leaf.
To experience the beauty of Japan, we'll see, smell, and chat with the locals. We'll go to Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji... We'll even go to Nishiki Market if you like! But it's very hot right now... so I'm shortening my tour route and will finish in four hours... so please ask for the details of my itinerary... to avoid any misunderstandings.
Want to sing karaoke? Karaoke is extra!
Let's sing karaoke together if you want!!!
Lastly, before coming to Japan, I recommend getting an international driver's license. It's an identification card instead of a passport!
