Temple & Shrine Tours in Japan: Our Top 15

1.Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,207 reviews · 1h 10m · from $29Our pick

At Jotokuji Temple, Kate and the tea master guide you through purification, temple customs, matcha preparation, and the careful gestures of chanoyu. You will taste tea and sweets, then prepare your own matcha with help. The 70-minute session costs $29, takes up to 10 people, and offers stools if floor sitting is difficult.

“They welcomed us on the front door of the temple and introduced us to a little history of the temple. Then they took us inside and they explained the tea ceremony in details. The ritual was very powerful and interesting, we could not stop looking at the lady that prepared the Thea. Every gesture was measured and thoughtful. A great experience. Thank you!”

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2.Osaka/Kyoto:Kinkakuji,Arashiyama,FushimiInariShrine,NaraPark

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,596 reviews · from $66

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Osaka or Kyoto to Nara Park, Todai-ji, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. You’ll get an English or Chinese-speaking guide, a Kinkaku-ji admission ticket, and free time at key stops. Osaka departures can add Kobe Beef Shabu-Shabu, though lunch reduces Arashiyama time.

“Harry went out of his way to accommodate us over and over. He was so enthusiastic and kind! It was a long day, but so wonderful. Thank you!”

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3.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon for a two-hour walk through Asakusa. You’ll see Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Street, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Loc add history, customs, food tips, and local context. The route finishes by Azuma Bridge.

“Terrific tour. Interesting to hear the history and to see the sights. Guide’s English was very good, and delivered with humor. Highly recommend.”

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4.Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,577 reviews · 11 hours · from $89

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Ginza to Nikko with an English and Spanish guide. See Shinkyo Bridge, tour Toshogu Shrine, view Kegon Falls, eat lunch, and pause at Lake Chuzenji. The shrine ticket and lunch depend on the option you book. Guides such as Melody, Jorge, and Beru are praised for clear explanations and helpful timing tips.

“Fantastic day! Beautiful colors and incredible place. Melody is a very good guide, she is passionate with Japan and she wants to share Japanese culture. She gave very clear instructions.”

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5.Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,266 reviews · 10h 30m · from $84

Travel from Tokyo to Nikko by comfortable coach with an English and Chinese speaking guide. Visit Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji, with a scenic ride along the Iroha Slope. The shrine ticket is included, but lunch and some waterfall expenses are not. Guides such as Tina, Zoe, Jeff, and Vicki are praised for clear explanations and helpful food tips.

“Temple is fantastic , so waterfall ; lake is nice but was raining ( some relief from too hot Tokyo )”

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6.Tokyo Panoramic 1 Day: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Odaiba and SKYTREE®

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,222 reviews · from $85

Spend about nine hours touring Tokyo by air-conditioned bus with a licensed English-speaking guide. Visit Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Odaiba, Senso-ji, and Haneda Airport Garden, then see the city from SKYTREE®’s 350-meter Tembo Deck. Guides such as Mina, Keiko, Sophie, and Yumii have earned praise for clear explanations and careful timing.

“Yumii did an outstanding job. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She checked on us multiple times. She explained everything with detail and did her best to confirm that everyone heard her directions. She did her best to keep Read more”

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7.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Best reviewed

Spend eight hours exploring Nagano with an English-speaking guide. Visit 1,400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, taste local sake at Nishimon Yoshinoya, enjoy a Japanese lunch, and walk the forest trail to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Endo, Kieran, and Nadine have led recent departures, though staff can vary.

“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”

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8.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 886 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $87

Spend five hours exploring Arashiyama on foot with a bilingual guide such as Karim, Tom, Francis, or Toru. Visit the bamboo grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji Temple, Kimono Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Iwatayama Monkey Park. Choose the standard route or a sake brewery and local lunch option.

“Karim is an amazing tour guide. Highly recommend this tour”

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9.Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

See Nagano’s key sights in one long, well-planned day. An English-speaking guide such as Dylan, Brent, Tom, or Hiroshi leads you through Zenkoji Temple, sake tasting, a generous local lunch, and Jigokudani Monkey Park. Expect about 1.6 kilometers of walking on a forest trail, which can be icy in winter.

“My family and I absolutely loved the tour. The price was well worth the experience. So much packed into a wonderful package. Shawn and Yama were amazing tour guides filled with wonderful knowledge about the historic landmarks and area in general. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone thinking about going. Of course the snow monkeys were the stars of the show and definitely made every moment worth while!”

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10.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53

Walk Kyoto’s Arashiyama district with an English-speaking guide, visiting Tenryu-ji, the Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. The 4 to 4.5-hour route includes temple and monkey park admission plus one Uji matcha drink. Guides such as Tim, Amy, Nay, and Gabriele are known for friendly, informative tours.

“Great tour. Lots of uphill walking to see monkeys. Depending on weather can be treacherous. Beautiful scenery, lots of historical information. Lovely to stop for matcha ice cream which was included.”

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11.Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 754 reviews · from $61

This nine-hour day trip links Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nara Park, Todai-ji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine by air-conditioned bus. Guides such as Gary, Nick, Eric, and Mike lead different departures in English or Chinese. Lunch comes in a 120-year-old Kyoto townhouse, with Kobe beef, pork, or vegetarian curry options.

“Our tour guy Gary was Amazing. Definitely worth doing the this tour lots to see and so many historical sites! Very entertaining and fun trip - time just flies by. Highly recommend the tour!”

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12.Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 650 reviews · 1 day · from $5Cheapest good one

Spend a day at historic Ninnaji Temple, founded in 888. Walk through the Goten Palace gardens, see the five-story pagoda, visit the Reihokan Museum if selected, and follow the two-hour Omuro Pilgrimage course. Spring brings late-blooming Omuro sakura, while autumn colors and snowy gardens offer a quieter temple visit.

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

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

Spend about two hours walking Asakusa with an English-speaking local guide. Learn how to pray at Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine, explore Nakamise and Shin Nakamise, pass Hoppy Street, and finish by Azuma Bridge. Guides such as Aya, Glenda, Loc, Keiko, and Polina are praised for clear explanations, photo help, and useful food tips.

“Polina was a very knowledgeable guide who told us a lot about the history of Asakusa and Sensoji temple. We highly recommend this tour.”

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14.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 510 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

Meet your English-speaking guide near Tawaramachi Station and enter a private Asakusa temple with more than 400 years of history. A monk introduces Zazen meditation, leads practice, and answers questions. The 90-minute visit also includes matcha, sweets, and often calligraphy. Guides such as Tamami, Kazu, and Shota help translate and explain the setting.

“This was a very lovely experience. It was very intimate and the monk was very fun and informative. Our tour guide was a delight and very knowledgeable. Definitely sign up if you’re interested in spiritual teachings. It was a beautiful way to start my day.”

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15.Mt. Fuji Heritage Tour: Traditional Villages, Lakes & Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 509 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Spend a full day around Mt. Fuji with stops at Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park, Arakurayama Sengen Park, Chureito Pagoda, and Oshino Hakkai. Guides such as Sia, Kazi, Wanting, and Alex have led recent departures. Expect a shared bus, several photo stops, some stairs, no included lunch, and weather-dependent Fuji views.

“We enjoyed the commentary and quiet atmosphere on the bus . It was a well paced tour allowing for time to see the sights and rest if needed . Kazi was very kind and friendly and patient . The driver was an excellent companion to Kazi.”

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