Kyoto Temples and Shrines: the 15 Best Tours

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

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

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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5.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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6.Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $110

Spend four and a half hours exploring Kyoto’s Zen tradition with a local guide such as Yutaka, Hikari, or Yuka. Visit Tofukuji, walk through a dry garden, learn zazen from a monk, and share a traditional Buddhist lunch. Groups are capped at seven, making this a calm, personal introduction to Zen.

“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”

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7.Zen Experience in a Hidden Temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 437 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

Meet your English-speaking guide at Myoshin-ji, then walk to Jusho-in Temple for two 20-minute zazen sessions with 16th-generation abbot Eitetsu Nishida. Learn how Zen and tea connect, enjoy matcha with seasonal wagashi, and receive professional photos afterward. This private or small-group experience suits beginners, though floor sitting may be challenging.

“I really enjoyed this experience. A fantastic opportunity to spend time with the chief monk and learn the basics of Zazen meditation. Our guides were so nice too, and the setting was stunning. highly recommend!”

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8.KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · from $99

Choose a kimono from a Nishijin collection, have your hair styled, and learn tea ceremony manners from a tea master with 30 years of practice. The 90-minute experience includes a demonstration, seasonal sweets, photos, and a chance to prepare tea yourself. It meets near Daitoku-ji, close to Imamiya Shrine.

“100 out of 100. The ceremony was not only beautiful and informative, it will be a memory that I will always cherish. The entire staff goes above and beyond to provide gold star service from taking photos, explaining the process asking about your likes and dislikes. Such an incredible experience I would highly recommend EVERYONE ! Goes to their home and enjoy the performance and full immersion into the culture ! I smiled so much my face hurt ! Again 100 out of 100! Thank you”

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9.3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 270 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Start near Tofukuji Station with an English-speaking guide such as Hina, Naru, or Shiori, then walk quiet neighborhood lanes, forest trails, bamboo groves, old altars, and Mount Inari. The 7-kilometer route reaches Fushimi Inari’s famous torii gates from the less-used side. Expect a real hike, not a gentle stroll.

“This was an amazing tour. Our guide Hina - took us thru the back trails, via a beautiful bamboo forest. She was very patient (esp with the kids) n explained everything really well. We loved the tour.”

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10.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Matcha, Monkeys & secret spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $89

This five-hour walking tour takes you beyond Arashiyama’s famous bamboo grove to Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, shopping streets, and Iwatayama Monkey Park. Guides such as Toru, Karim, Tom, and Francis add history, food tips, humor, and help with local customs. The final monkey-park climb is steep, so bring comfortable shoes.

“Great tour. Our tour guide Toshiya-san is knowledgeable and professional. So much to learn in so little time. I highly recommend this tour.”

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11.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · 1h 30m · from $91

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kodaiji Park and walk 10 minutes to a private temple near Nene no Michi. A monk explains Zazen posture, breathing, and Zen practice before you meditate together. Finish with matcha, sweets, garden time, questions, and photos. Guides may include Soma, Satoru, Kohtaro, or Ruko.

“Nice guide and friendly monk. Very good to get to know the life in a monastery.”

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12.Calligraphy class at Buddhist temple in city center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1h 10m · from $55

At Seigan-ji Temple in central Kyoto, a Japanese calligraphy teacher guides you through brush technique, kanji practice, and a final artwork on shikishi board. English, Spanish, Japanese, and Dutch support is available, often with guides such as Jose or Saskia. The 70-minute class includes materials, a personal souvenir, and a small-group setting for up to six people.

“This was such a memorable, positive experience! The teachers provided clear, systematic instruction to help our group create our own piece that we then got to take home as a souvenir. My partner and I enjoyed the process of Japanese calligraphy so much that we headed to a local calligraphy shop in Kyoto the next day to pick up a kit that we could use at home. Thank you for the lovely time!”

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

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

Meet your Kyoto local guide at Yasaka Shrine at 9:00 am for a three-hour walk through Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka. Visit Kiyomizu-dera, drink matcha, sample snacks, and learn tea ceremony customs. Guides such as Hide add history, humor, and helpful photos, with groups limited to six people.

“Great cerimonial and great views and sightseeing experience … history and also scenery all together …”

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14.Fushimi Inari Shrine Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $39

Meet your English-speaking guide at Daily Yamazaki near Fushimi Inari at 6pm for a two-hour walk through Kyoto’s famous torii gates. Learn about Inari, fox symbolism, shrine rituals, and local customs while climbing forest trails to scenic viewpoints. Groups are capped at 10, and the tour returns to the meeting point.

“What an incredible way to understand shrine culture! Our guide shared stories that made every fox statue meaningful. The forest trails were gorgeous and surprisingly peaceful.”

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15.Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Walking Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 18 reviews · from $34

Meet at Kyoto Station and ride public transport with a Kyoto-certified English guide to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Walk beneath the famous Senbon Torii gates, learn local shrine customs, then visit Sekiho-ji Temple and its quiet Jizo statues and Zen garden. The two-hour tour runs weekdays from October 6 to 31, 2025.

“Our guide was outstanding! She helped explain so much that we would never have known and she was highly responsive to all our questions. A wonderful experience!”

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