Top Kyoto Audio Guides

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is an incredible 25km E-bike tour that focuses on exploring the celebrated Arashiyama Bamboo Grove district, but also takes time to explore stunning temple environments aways from the tourist tracks. Hop on our new Panasonic E-bikes and cover a lot of ground as we pedal effortlessly through a blend of urban and countryside settings. We will bike past Kyoto's daily life and give you insight into the city's rich history, culture, and scenic beauty. We only allow a maximum of 8 guests for a safe and controlled experience. Travellers should be comfortable riding 25km or 4 hours. Must be 15 years or older. We meet 20 minutes before departure in order to get you comfortable on your E-bike.

Active travelers will love the opportunity to explore the northern parts of Kyoto by bike. Your local guide will make sure you don’t get lost, and will show you to back alleys and hidden corners that you might miss otherwise, as well as some of the famous attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Cycle on comfortable bike, and enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch to refuel.

Discover hidden hiking routes that you likely wouldn’t find alone on this guided tour near the spectacular Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine—a place known for its bright orange torii gates. Following a guide, venture off paved paths and onto secret forest trails to the famous attraction, passing a natural bamboo forest, and a small shrine that’s off the usual tourist trail. The trip also reveals scenic views of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle.

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.

Tick off a handful of Kyoto’s most unmissable attractions during this private full-day tour. Explore the picturesque and history-filled city with your own personal tour guide. Highlights include the iconic torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, UNESCO-protected Ryoanji Temple, and the Kinkakuji Temple, famed for its Golden Pavilion.

Stroll the back alleys of Kyoto, missed by many visitors, as dusk falls and they are at their most atmospheric on this private guided tour. In the company of just a guide and your party, see how ancient tradition blends with contemporary culture as you explore the enchanting wooden alleyways lit with traditional paper lanterns in the historic Gion district and the picturesque streets of old Pontocho, where, with luck, you might spot a geisha or two.

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.

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.

Discover the art of ‘shibori’ during this 30 to 60-minute scarf-making class in Kyoto. Learn about Japanese culture from your knowledgable guide and become versed in one of the country’s many art forms. Use traditional tools and fabrics to make your scarf, then take this memorable handmade souvenir home with you to show your friends and family.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s most popular and beautiful shrines. Thousands of people visit it every day to see the 1,000 magnificent torii gates. But most do not get the full story behind the pretty pictures they take. Join me on this self-guided audio tour as we delve into the history behind the Shinto rituals and beliefs linked to this amazing shrine. We’ll take an easy stroll among the tranquil forest scenery. You'll be one of a few who will discover the real power of this shrine that has been influencing people's lives over 1,300 years. The landmarks include: • The unique fox statues dotted across the shrine • An unmatched vista of the thousand bright red torii gates • The Heavy-Light Stone where you can make a wish Let’s take a stroll and found out why this ancient shrine has lessons that can still be learned today.

Steep yourself in the arts of kasamaki and nuishime shibori during this 60- to 90-minute cloth-wrapping class in Kyoto. Try your hand at this intriguing Japanese art, with the help of an expert local craftsman. Learn tricks to do these techniques at home and bring a memento home with you. You’ll also get to see many prime samples of classic kasamaki and nuishime shibori dyeing displayed and in the museum shop. 

Learn more about the top 23 tourist attractions in Kyoto. Its history, culture, myths, architecture, and other important facts are in this audio commentary. The top 10 advantages for those who prefer flexibility on their tour. 1. Safe - Not required to download, with just a click of secure access links it can be listened to online on any device. 2. Save - The lowest price in the city. 3. Stories - No imagination stories, only verified information. 4. Schedule - Listen at your own convenience of time, pace, and location, 5. Select - Preferred languages and attractions. 6. Self-control: No need to be behind someone's instructions in always. 7. Share - with co-travelers in just a click. 8. Soft - Selective crafted words that make you listen again. 9. Simple - Use our personally created itinerary which starts from the city's central station and then gradually moves one by one. 10. Smart - in all aspects

Embark on a captivating journey through Kyoto's cultural wonders with our full-day bus tour. Discover the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where you'll enjoy approximately 2 hours of free time to explore the enchanting Tenryu-ji Temple and its serene garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, with its shimmering gold-leaf relic hall reflected in a serene lake. Experience the mystique of Fushimi Inari Shrine, home to the famous "Senbon Torii" — a mesmerizing row of vermillion torii gates. Throughout the tour, benefit from our multi-language audio guide in English, Chinese, and Korean. This tour provides the perfect blend of guided exploration and personal discovery, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a seamless and enriching experience of Kyoto's cultural treasures.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, traveling abroad is very difficult for the foreseeable future. But thanks to this situation, I could take a video of this ancient city with few people out on the street. The video shows the highlights of Higashiyama area of Kyoto which is filled with many attractions. You can relax at home while deeply immersed in the traditional city of Japan with a detailed explanation and guidance by a professional licensed guide. We will have a Q&A session after seeing the video. I provide a walking route map online for your future reference. NOTE: You don't have to show your face but fast Internet connection is required for the video online. NOTE: The starting time is JST, Japan Standard Time. 11:00 AM (JST) is 10:00 PM on the previous day in NY or EDT area and 7:00 PM in LA or PDT area. 8:00 PM (JST) is 12:00 noon in GB or BST area or 1:00 PM in CEST area.

Audioguided Routes throughout Japan Audio guides with 6 languages available (Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, English.) Walking routes in the different neighborhoods Walking routes through the main temples of each destination Gastronomic routes Everything you need to know about Japan Points of interest linked to Google Maps Geolocation Access to Web Panel to customize your own route Access to Web Panel as a repository of travel documents

Embark on the ultimate tailored adventure with our customized tours! Mainly travel by taxi, but sometimes, due to rush on the roads, we opt for trains to save time. Discover new destinations with local experts, and explore at your own pace. While we can't cover all locations due to closing times, we'll make the most of your journey, aiming to visit as many spots as possible before lunch and after. Book now for an unforgettable experience!

On this self-guided tour through Kyoto, you'll decode the mysterious world of geishas in Kyoto’s famous Gion entertainment district. Kyoto is regarded as the centre of Japanese tradition, culture and history. Understanding Kyoto in depth is the key to unlocking Japan as a whole. This walking tour takes you to some of the most intriguing parts of the city. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history and relevance of Kabuki theatre, the peaceful coexistence of religions, and the intricate and ritualistic lifestyles of Kyoto’s famous geishas and their apprentices, the Maiko. Mayako, a licensed guide, will share details about some of the temple rituals and point out one of Japan’s largest pagodas. This tour takes you through some of Kyoto’s most famous areas and familiar landmarks, but in far more detail than you’ll find in a regular guidebook. This tour is suitable for both first-time visitors and residents of Kyoto.