Top Kyoto Natural Attractions

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. 

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.

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.

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you’ll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this interactive class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Pick from multiple durations—with longer classes including more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion as well as a souvenir Japanese towel.

You can enjoy the garden and green tea in front of you while sitting on the tatami floor and the tatami mats of the Family Mitsui House Museum. Although it is in the city, it is a rich mansion where you can hear the voice of birds and the murmur of the river. This ticket is an advantageous plan that combines the admission fee and the matcha green tea. Please enjoy with the garden that changes its expression from season to season.

Ninja culture is not something visitors to Japan can just easily immerse themselves in, but this 2-hour, hand-on lesson offers an exclusive experience. In a small group of no more than six people, learn ninja techniques including ninja breathing, ninja meditation, and how to wield a ninja sword.

Enjoy a quintessential traditional Japanese experience in the heart of Kyoto. This tea ceremony experience takes place in an historic wooden townhouse ("machiya") where you can soak up traditional Japanese culture. You'll have the opportunity to wear a kimono while experiencing the tea ceremony and learn all about its artful rituals.

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.

Would you like to brew your own delicious tea? In most tea ceremony workshops, you are not allowed to handle tea utensils. However, in the hands-on classes we host, you can actually touch the utensils and learn the process of brewing tea from scratch. The instructor is a master of the Higashi Abe school. They have taught many students, so they will gently and carefully teach you how to make tea. You are also welcome to take as many pictures as you like to make your experience memorable. We hope you will make your trip to Japan a memorable and enjoyable one.