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Kyoto Town Day-walking Tour - Landmarks and Tea Ceremony

Kyoto
Guided/FIT:
Guided
Highlights
This day tour takes you to Kyoto's must-see attractions, enhanced by a special tea and matcha ceremony class. Exploring Kyoto on foot is the ideal way to experience the town's authenticity. Both the walk and the tea ceremony are led by our matcha master, a Kyoto native with a profound passion and understanding of the area. He is frequently spotted in his iconic kimono, strolling through the streets and alleys, savoring his daily life in town. You'll truly experience Kyoto, immersing yourself in its culture, history, cuisine, and beverages.

Kyoto Town Day-walking Tour - Landmarks and Tea Ceremony

Price per person

Duration

By quotation

1D

Price may go UP or DOWN subject to your final trip plan.

Details

Breakfast in Japanese coffee house

Begin your day with breakfast at a traditional Japanese coffee house located near the Nishi Market. Savor authentic coffee or tea prepared using traditional Japanese methods, along with delicious toasts and fresh pastries.

A serene morning begins with a warm cup of coffee by the window, capturing the peaceful ambiance of a traditional coffee house.
A serene morning begins with a warm cup of coffee by the window, capturing the peaceful ambiance of a traditional coffee house.

Shrines

The Higashiyama District provides an excellent chance to experience Kyoto's traditional ambiance. This area is home to two famous shrines, the Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, both of which are iconic landmarks of Kyoto and must-visits if you have limited time to explore the city's sacred sites.

The Yasaka Shrine's main stage adorned with traditional lanterns under a clear blue sky, offering a serene glimpse into Kyoto's rich cultural heritage.
The Yasaka Shrine's main stage adorned with traditional lanterns under a clear blue sky, offering a serene glimpse into Kyoto's rich cultural heritage.

(Photo source: Japan Guide)

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, surrounded by lush cherry blossoms in full bloom, stands majestically against a clear blue sky, showcasing its traditional wooden architecture and offering a breathtaking view of the landscape below.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, surrounded by lush cherry blossoms in full bloom, stands majestically against a clear blue sky, showcasing its traditional wooden architecture and offering a breathtaking view of the landscape below.

Ninenzaka


The streets of Higashiyama are adorned with small shops, cafes, and restaurants that maintain a traditional design. The Ninenzaka streets are particularly popular on Instagram. You'll find a variety of local specialties to sample, including pickles, sweets, pottery, crafts, and numerous other souvenirs. We'll enjoy lunch in this area, featuring Kyoto ramen.


Traditional wooden buildings and paper umbrellas adorn the historic Ninenzaka Street, capturing the charm of Kyoto's architectural heritage at dusk.
Traditional wooden buildings and paper umbrellas adorn the historic Ninenzaka Street, capturing the charm of Kyoto's architectural heritage at dusk.
The ancient charm of Ninenzaka unfolds under a vibrant evening sky, with traditional wooden buildings lining the quiet path leading to a majestic pagoda.
The ancient charm of Ninenzaka unfolds under a vibrant evening sky, with traditional wooden buildings lining the quiet path leading to a majestic pagoda.

Lunch at Ninenzaka

We will take you to savor a local specialty lunch in the Ninenzaka area. Despite being located in a busy tourist spot, the food retains its authentic ingredients, flavor, and style.


A delightful lunch experience at Ninenzaka featuring a savory bowl of udon with fish, garnished with green onions and a pink fish cake slice, paired with a tempting assortment of crispy tempura and dipping sauce, perfectly complemented by two Onsen eggs.
A delightful lunch experience at Ninenzaka featuring a savory bowl of udon with fish, garnished with green onions and a pink fish cake slice, paired with a tempting assortment of crispy tempura and dipping sauce, perfectly complemented by two Onsen eggs.



Tea Ceremony

Following lunch, our tea master will guide you to a tea ceremony class situated in the Higashiyama area. Dive into the traditional Japanese tatami and wooden surroundings as you learn to taste and prepare traditional tea and matcha. The venue and timeslot depend on availability, so please book your dates as early as you can.


(Photo source: selected venue)

Tea Ceremony at Our Selected Venue
Tea Ceremony at Our Selected Venue

Gion charm

In the shopping streets of Gion, you can sample and purchase local products such as sweets, pickles, and crafts.

Bustling Gion shopping streets in Kyoto, lined with traditional buildings and vibrant storefronts, as local residents and tourists like to explore.
Bustling Gion shopping streets in Kyoto, lined with traditional buildings and vibrant storefronts, as local residents and tourists like to explore.

In the evening, we will lead you through Gion, Kyoto's famous Geisha district, rich in shops, restaurants, and tea houses. Historically and even now, this area remains the hub of Geisha entertainment.


Traditional wooden houses line a tranquil side street in Kyoto's Gion district, where lanterns softly illuminate the path to an evening of geisha entertainment.
Traditional wooden houses line a tranquil side street in Kyoto's Gion district, where lanterns softly illuminate the path to an evening of geisha entertainment.

The densely clustered wooden houses from the Edo period will amaze you. These structures continue to be utilized today for a range of purposes, including Geisha entertainment, restaurants, shops, and tea houses.


Wooden Houses Facing The Canal
Wooden Houses Facing The Canal

In the evening, you have a good chance of seeing Geisha on their way to work. Please respect them and avoid following them like paparazzi.

Warm lanterns illuminate traditional Geisha entertainment spots at dusk, creating a serene and mysterious ambiance for curious foreign tourists.
Warm lanterns illuminate traditional Geisha entertainment spots at dusk, creating a serene and mysterious ambiance for curious foreign tourists.

Experiencing Geisha entertainment is a unique opportunity for tourists. Traditionally, hiring Geisha services is costly and exclusive, often needing a referral from a current client. However, in recent years, some Geisha performances and other cultural introductions such as Ikebana and Banraku have become accessible to tourists. We are fortunate to assist you in reserving seats for these performances. For more information, please check out another of our Kyoto day tours.

A geisha gracefully performs a traditional dance in front of an elegant gold folding screen, embodying the refined art of Japanese entertainment.
A geisha gracefully performs a traditional dance in front of an elegant gold folding screen, embodying the refined art of Japanese entertainment.

Kamogawa river In the evening

This area is delightful and becomes especially busy in the evenings. Both tourists and locals love to dine and unwind here. We will guide you along the riverbank to our genuine dining spot.


Evening tranquility along the Kamogawa River, where locals gather to unwind before dinner under the soft glow of the setting sun.
Evening tranquility along the Kamogawa River, where locals gather to unwind before dinner under the soft glow of the setting sun.

The Kamogawa River becomes a vibrant scene in the evening, bustling with diners enjoying the illuminated riverside views.
The Kamogawa River becomes a vibrant scene in the evening, bustling with diners enjoying the illuminated riverside views.

Dining


Depending on your preference, we can bring you to a genuine restaurant serving Kyoto specialties such as the irresistibly delicious grilled eel, or to an Izakaya that offers grills and wine sitting among chatting crowds.

A chef skillfully grills eel over an open flame, using traditional sauces to enhance the flavors, in a classic culinary setting.
A chef skillfully grills eel over an open flame, using traditional sauces to enhance the flavors, in a classic culinary setting.

Authentic grilled eel dinner set served with rice, soup, and traditional Japanese sides, offering a delightful culinary experience at a reasonable price.
Authentic grilled eel dinner set served with rice, soup, and traditional Japanese sides, offering a delightful culinary experience at a reasonable price.

Grilled yakitori skewers served on a textured plate at an Izakaya restaurant, showcasing a delicious blend of charred and juicy flavors.
Grilled yakitori skewers served on a textured plate at an Izakaya restaurant, showcasing a delicious blend of charred and juicy flavors.

Kyoto stay

Though the day is lengthy, you'll end it feeling happy and well-fed. After a productive day of walking, staying at a hotel with a public bath (onsen) can be very beneficial. Finding an onsen hotel in Kyoto city might be challenging, but we have ways to book one for you.


We can help you book an Onsen hotel in Kyoto city
We can help you book an Onsen hotel in Kyoto city



Included

  • Experience and entrance fees of all shrines and temples

  • Tea ceremony cost (different cost for shared or private session)

  • Guide fee


Excluded

  • Travel or accidental insurance

  • Cost for drinks and food

  • Accommodation

  • Any commercial item purchased by the guest during this visit




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