Top Kyoto Art Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Experience the rare opportunity to step inside a traditional Kyoto machiya, a wooden Japanese townhouse, and immerse yourself in the uniquely Japanese culture of the tea ceremony. In a small group of no more than six people, learn the basic concepts and ideas of tea ceremony, as well as the required etiquette. Watch a demonstration of the way of tea, then make your own. Your instructor guides you in how to drink it and also serve you a traditional Japanese cake.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers, and those interested in Japanese spirituality. Put away the guidebook and follow the lead of a landscape designer with over 15 years’ experience. It’s a great way to discover secret local spots that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and to understand more about the meaning behind zen gardens.

Prepare to have your travel memories captured in the most creative and captivating way imaginable Seize the chance to capture your special moments in Kimono while embarking on a delightful journey through Gion Our adventure kicks off at the famous Yasaka Shrine, right in the heart of Kyoto I'll guide you through the charming streets of Gion, where tradition comes to life. Along the way, we'll show you some lesser-known, peaceful spots. You'll also get to admire the beautiful Yasaka Pagoda. Sannenzaka, Nene Street, Chionin temple and more hidden gems.

Fans of matcha will appreciate this hands-on workshop on Japanese tea, which combines instructive lessons in traditional matcha preparation with a bonafide tea ceremony experience. Listen to enriching background on the little-known history behind the sacred ritual, once favored by monks and samurais. Learn how to brew top-quality matcha from an organic farm, and enjoy your tea with cakes from a famous Kyoto confectionary—all in a traditional townhouse.

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. 

Take a tour of Hanamasa Flower Shop, which has been in business for 140 years and is a long-established flower shop in Kyoto. Learn about the Japanese art of flower arrangement (Ikebana) and the beauty of Japanese flowers. After learning the basics about the Japanese art form of Ikebana, you will attend a workshop on flower arrangements at Oike Cafe. During this workshop, you will learn more about the flowers available and how you can design your own Ikebana that you envision. It is time to get creative with your flower arrangements and enjoy sweets and drinks along the way.

Traditional Japanese crafts are tricky for outsiders to try their hand at. This class at the Kyoto Shibori Museum guides you through the technique of how to dye a silk scarf using the kyo-arashi shibori method. You can customize your scarf to your own color preferences and leave with an elegant scarf to serve as a souvenir of your trip to Kyoto. While your fabric is drying, you are free to browse the museum displays and try on a shibori kimono.

In this 5-hour tour, you can enjoy the charms of elegant Maiko or Geisha performances with authentic Japanese Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal. The Maiko and Geisha perform traditional music, singing, and dancing. You can also ask questions to them and even participate in traditional geisha games called “ozashiki asobi.” This tour also comes with a 150-minute Gion tour with a local licensed guide. Your guide will explain Gion's traditions, customs, and culture.

Visit Higashiyama, Kyoto’s breathtaking historical district, in a traditional kimono. Walk along its cobblestoned slopes to discover Kiyomizu-dera, a striking temple complex built abreast a waterfall, then stroll beside geisha in the Gion district before finishing the tour in beautiful Yasaka Shrine — all the while learning about the history of this great area. ◆ Tour the most popular area in Kyoto with a nationally certified interpreter-guide ◆ Trek up to Kiyomizu-dera, a temple with over 1,250 years of history, best known for its overhanging stage overlooking the city ◆ Enjoy a truly serene moment in Kennin-ji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded by Eisai, the founder of Zen Buddhism ◆ Explore the brilliant vermillion red buildings of Yasaka Shrine ◆ Walk the streets of Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district ◆ Look around at the traditional shops, cafés and galleries that dot the Higashiyama district

Naoshima, commonly known as Japan's art island, is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea and is one of the most popular places in Japan. Departing from Osaka or Kyoto, you can enjoy the charm of Naoshima for two days. ・You can enjoy to go around Naoshima island by bicycle (with power-assisted bicycle, e-bike) with Private English Speaking guide. ・Chichu Art Museum (excluded entrance ticket's fee : 2100 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) ・Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors(excluded entrance ticket's fee : 1500 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) *there is possible to take a time to visit more 2 spots.

Get away from the crowded tourist sites and indulge on a private tour of some of Kyoto's most enchanting spaces. In a town whose history spans over 1,300 years, there are far more than just the "Top 10" that are worth visiting! Quiet Zen gardens, high ranking shrines, a local traditional lunch, a folk art museum and 1,001 Golden Buddha statues. This experience will introduce you to a world far away from the busy tourist sites, where you will spend peaceful moments getting to know the true nature of Kyoto. Note: Depending on our pace, all of the sites on this route may not be able to be visited. If the situation arises where we have to eliminate one or more of the sites the guest will determine what is eliminated.

Take a break from the busy city and spend two days on the beautiful and cultural Naoshima Island. Join your private guide and take the bullet train to Okayama (this tour does not include JR passes) before hopping on a ferry to the island. Then spend the next two days exploring the island with an electric bike, stopping at several museums including the Benesse House, ANDO, and Lee Ufan.

Our 1/KYOTO tours give you the opportunity to meet and spend a truly meaningful day with people who drive innovation in the historic city. We aim to transform your travel experience from ordinary sightseeing to meaningful encounters. During this tour, engage in a dialogue with Mr. Daisuke Kiyomizu, an innovative ceramic artist who pushes the boundaries of Kiyomizu ware (Kyoto-style ceramics), at his members-only studio gallery. Furthermore, you’ll be able explore a Kiyomizu ware workshop and witness live pottery demonstrations with exclusive access to areas not usually open to the public. For each part of the journey, a professional interpreter will guide you. A private taxi will also be available for transport from your accommodation.

Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.