Top Kansai How to Get Around

Eat your way around Osaka on this tantalizing foodie tour, where your local guide will take you to a handful of hidden eateries that have been featured on the hit Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil." Over the course of the tour, sample a variety of different dishes that range from gyoza to takoyaki to kitsune udon and more. You’ll also try two drinks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, to give you a full picture of the food and drink culture of the area.

This guided tour helps you discover lots of Kyoto’s dispersed temples, shrines, and cultural attractions in one day. Save time researching and planning your trip, by having the itinerary organized for you. Travel in an air-conditioned coach for a hassle-free day. Highlights include Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple.

Exploring the historic city of Kyoto with a local guide gives you an experience you won’t get by following a guidebook itinerary. Discover local neighborhoods, see iconic attractions, and get recommendations from a guide who creates a personalized route based on your interests and needs.

Embark on a vetted Osaka adventure that was showcased on Channel 5 British TV's "Jane McDonald in Japan." This tour is not your average experience—it's a genuine, quirky, and unfiltered snapshot of Osaka. All your insider guides to entertain you with personal stories, historical facts, and plenty of enthusiasm and humor. Whether you prefer a private and customized tour or a lively group tour with fellow explorers, the choice is yours.

Discover both modern and traditional sides of history-rich Kyoto during this full-day private tour. Travel like a local by public transportation as you tick off the city’s most celebrated sights, from UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle to the well-preserved neighborhood of Higashiyama and streets of Gion, otherwise known as Kyoto’s Geisha district.

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Get an insider’s perspective on facts about geisha culture that tourists usually miss, and pass by shops, shrines, and beautiful temples. To elevate your experience, the tour also includes a geisha show with an apprentice geisha, where you can watch a dance performance and ask questions.

Discover Kyoto's captivating Geisha culture with the Kyoto Night Walking Tour. Led by local guides steeped in tradition, this journey unveils the world of Geisha and Maiko. Stroll through Kyoto's night, where elegance and grace come to life. Learn Geisha secrets, their training, and artistry. Encounter Geisha and Maiko en route to appointments, offering a rare glimpse into their world. In an intimate setting, ask questions and engage with this enthralling tradition. The Kyoto Night Walking Tour immerses you authentically, connecting you to Kyoto's Geisha culture. Join us on this enchanting journey to illuminate the captivating world of Geisha, revealing the history and thriving traditions that come alive in Kyoto after dark.

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.

Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture during this 2-hour samurai experience at a traditional Kyoto Samurai House. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior" handle a real katana sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your Japanese-Australian guide, Andy, to explore the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner of typical ‘kushikatsu’ cuisine.

Enrich yourself with the fascinating history of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO-listed temples and shrines during this day trip from Osaka. Explore the seemingly endless ‘torii’ gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, and explore Kinkaku-ji temple. Customize your trip by adding on a deluxe or standard Japanese style lunch, and select from four pickup points.

Spend the day with one of our hosts to discover the true nature of Osaka - head’s up, it’s got a wild sense of humor and is obsessed with food. Explorer (not tourist) is what we’re aiming for here, and in that spirit, you could explore neighborhoods like the fashionable Shinsaibashi or crazy Dotonbori and maybe you’ll discover hidden gems like the smaller shrines and historic streets. Grab a quick bite to eat and see why Osaka is known as the ‘Nation’s Kitchen’ before continuing your adventure through the neon streets of this enigmatic port city. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You'll also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do

When visiting Osaka, it can be challenging to discover where the locals go to eat and drink. Join some Osaka residents for a night out, and come home feeling like you’ve made new friends. Your personable guides navigate a small group of eight or fewer to the izakayas and backstreet bars of Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Amemura, where you sample local food and drink throughout the evening.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine before the big tour groups get there, see Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and have a chance to see the bamboo forest of Arashiyama before the midday masses arrive.

Get a deeper experience of Kyoto food culture than would be possible on your own by joining this guided food tour. Stroll through the districts of Gion and Pontocho, stopping into small bars and restaurants to sample traditional drinks and food that have been carefully chosen to make up a full meal. The experience also includes the opportunity to try three different types of local sake too.

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto”. The walking tour lasts around 2.5 hours.

Learn the arts of the samurai as you enjoy a 1-hour Kembu show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class, in Kyoto. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances, celebrating the legendary stories of Japan’s feudal period. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with samurai sword and the performers post-show.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this 3- to 3.5-hour cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely-Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box which may includes items like an egg roll, pickled vegetables, rice, breaded chicken and miso soup. Your course also includes use of an apron, an instructor and all ingredients.

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience. 

Departing at the end of a trip can be a stressful experience, so simplify the process with this handy private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International Airport. You’ll be met at your hotel and transported to the airport in good time for your onward flight. Vehicles of various sizes can accommodate groups of up to nine passengers.