Japan · WALKING TOURS IN KYOTO

The 15 Best Walking Tours in Kyoto

42 tours  ·  from $20

Good walking tours in Kyoto fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Hōkan-ji Pagoda and Gion’s best photo angles
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Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

1.Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,273 reviews · 2 hours · from $25Our pick

Spend two hours walking Gion with an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Yuri, Anton, or Ikuro. See teahouses, machiya homes, Kennin-ji, Hōkan-ji Pagoda, and Chion-in while learning how Geiko and Maiko fit into Kyoto life today. Finish with practical restaurant and sightseeing recommendations.

“This tour was a wonderful start to my stay in Kyoto. I truly enjoyed exploring the city on foot and learned a great deal about Kyoto, Gion and the world of geisha. I was also very lucky, as I turned out to be the only participant on this group tour, which meant that my guide Michael effectively gave me a private tour. We visited the most important locations in Gion, which allowed me to gain a very good overall impression of the district. Because I was the only participant, Michael was able to tailor the tour to my interests and even adjust the itinerary slightly to suit what I was…”

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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia - Starting beneath the Minamiza Theatre
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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

2.Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,393 reviews · 1h 40m · from $24

Walk from Minamiza Theatre through Hanamikoji and Gion’s quieter lanes with an English-speaking guide such as Hina, Shino, Masami, or Sho. Learn geisha and maiko customs, visit illuminated shrines and a pagoda, and finish at a shrine more than 1,000 years old.

“It was an excellent tour and we learnt loads from our guide Masami. It was great to be able to see Gion at night without the crowds!”

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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - Stories of Geisha - Starting at Ben’s Cookies Kyoto Shijo
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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

3.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,187 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

Spend two hours with a local English or Spanish-speaking guide in Pontocho and Gion. Walk past old teahouses, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Corner, and Hanamikoji Street while learning how geiko and maiko train, work, and preserve Kyoto’s traditions. Guides include Yuki, Nami, Yukari, Deborah, and Manuel.

“I had so much fun on this tour! Ben was super knowledgeable and answered all of our groups' questions - so super informative. Still waiting, via email, for the group photo we all took. Thanks!”

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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised - Meeting your host near Sanjo Bridge
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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

4.Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · from $102Top rated

You’ll explore Kyoto privately with a local host such as Amy, Alex, Miki, or Kokoro, following a route shaped by your interests. Expect a flexible walking day through Gion, Pontocho, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, or quieter sites, with culture, transport help, photos, and restaurant advice along the way.

“Great private tour. Our guide, Alex, was a phenomenal host. We saw multiple sites and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha - From Shijo to the Izumo-no-Okuni Statue
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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

5.Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $25

Walk from Shijo to Yasaka Shrine with a guide such as Ben, Shin, Nami, or Kenji, learning how geiko and maiko fit into Kyoto’s entertainment culture. The two-hour evening route visits Minamiza, Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Gion Corner, and Yasaka Shrine. Maximum group size is 15.

“It was a very fun tour. Our guide was amazing. Friendly and very knowledgeable on the area. Would highly recommend to our friends and family!”

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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch) - Starting at Shijo Bridge and walking through Pontocho
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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

6.Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,355 reviews · from $68

Spend three hours walking from Shijo Bridge and Pontocho to Nishiki Market, sampling seven Japanese foods before a sit-down brunch. Guides such as Yuki, Yutaka, Chie, and Hikaru add food tips, Kyoto culture, and market know-how. Groups are promoted as small, with a maximum of six in the main tour description.

“Fantastic tour! Very informative and fun. The market was so lively and our guide was knowledgeable and gave great recommendations”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets - Starting near Saga-Arashiyama
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

7.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65

Spend 5 to 6 hours exploring Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Teri, Mari, or Marie. Visit Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso, the Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park, with a steep 20 to 25 minute hill walk to the monkeys.

“I am glad we booked this because it was easier to be guided in a place as big as this where you don't know where to go or what to see first.”

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Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour - Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, and the old Kyoto streets
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Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour

8.Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,186 reviews · from $23

Walk through Gion with a local guide such as Uta, Dan, or Naoya, learning about geisha and maiko traditions while visiting Hanamikoji, Yasaka Shrine, Hokanji Temple, Pontocho, and quiet old streets. The two-hour tour includes local tips, historic townhouses, and a chance to spot a geisha.

“Very informative and nice tour guide. She was very knowledgeable about Japanese history and culture in the area”

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Kyoto: Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour - Kawaramachi’s lanes and the first taste of local life
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Kyoto: Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

9.Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 815 reviews · 3 hours · from $25

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kyoto’s Disney Store and spend three hours walking through Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi. Expect small-group bar hopping, local food, sake tasting, cultural notes, and a final stop at a tucked-away bar. Guides include Moto, Taiga, Mia, Leo, Lyou, and others.

“Taiga was our guide and he did such an amazing job showing us around the izakayas while giving us a nice background about the drinks and Kyoto!! So much fun!!!”

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Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour - Inside the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour

10.Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 623 reviews · from $98

Walk through Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district, visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, pass historic Teradaya, and stop at Kappa Gallery before tasting up to 18 Kyoto sakes at a local sake restaurant. Guides such as Matt, Rika, Kumi, and Yukari add history, tasting advice, and local tips.

“We had the best experience with our guide (Eri), she was so sweet and interactive! Highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves Sake or wants to gain more knowledge and taste a wide variety of local sakes”

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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) - Starting near Saga-Arashiyama Station
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

11.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · from $106

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private ride with an English-speaking guide such as Rob, Milo, Yuki, or Ray. You’ll cycle quiet lanes, walk through the bamboo forest, visit Tenryu-ji’s Zen garden, see Togetsukyo Bridge, and receive a Cannondale city bike, helmet, and water.

“The best part of our Japan holiday. Great way to explore the history and culture and suits the whole family. Our guides Ray and Milo were exceptional, with great knowledge, friendly and personable. Totally worth doing!”

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Kyoto: Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Guided Walking Tour - Walking from Nijo Castle to the Imperial Palace
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Kyoto: Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Guided Walking Tour

12.Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 453 reviews · 3 hours · from $49

Visit Nijo Castle’s Ninomaru Palace and gardens, then explore Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds with an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide. The group is capped at nine, and guides such as Jasmine, Raphael, Vincent, and Taku add context on shoguns, emperors, architecture, and Japanese culture.

“Gus was very knowledgeable and passionate! It was interesting to learn the history and gain a deeper appreciation of these sights. Would recommend if you want to learn more about Japan's history.”

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Gion Walking Tour by Night - Following the cobbled Shirakawa river path
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Gion Walking Tour by Night

13.Gion Walking Tour by Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 429 reviews · from $19Best value

Walk Gion’s cobbled lanes and Shirakawa riverbank with guides such as Mia, Mai, or Cheko. Learn how geiko and maiko live, see places linked to Memoirs of a Geisha, and get help navigating the district. The two-hour group tour starts at 5:30 pm and returns to its meeting point.

“Excellent tour. Got to know a lot about the history and culture of Geisha and Gion area. Highly recommend this tour!”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour - Starting at Hokyoin’s quiet garden
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Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

14.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · from $129

Walk Arashiyama with a certified MagicalTrip guide and no more than six other participants. See the bamboo grove, Hokyoin, Okochi Sanso Garden, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryuji Temple, then enjoy matcha and an authentic Kyoto-style lunch. Guides such as Josh, Yuki, Ayuri, and Yumi add cultural context.

“Our Guide was wonderful. Everything we did was so beautiful and it is a tour everyone should experience while in Kyoto.”

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Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour - Why Nishiki Market deserves the first 100 minutes
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Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

15.Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · from $80

Spend about three hours with a guide such as Keiko, Takuma, or Annie exploring Nishiki Market and nearby Kyoto streets. Taste local foods, learn shrine customs, and get help choosing unfamiliar dishes and souvenirs. The group is capped at six, but dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.

“Takuma was a great guide. Informative with good English. The food samples were delicious and I enjoyed not feeling rushed.”

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New in Walking Tours in Kyoto

★ 4.6Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local GuideFrom $62144 reviews
★ 4.9Private 2.5 Hour Historical Walking Tour121 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Higashiyama Walking TourFrom $10631 reviews
★ 4.9The Geisha Districts of Kyoto Walking TourFrom $3814 reviews
★ 4.6Private Walking Tour with a LocalFrom $82118 reviews
★ 5.0Gion Evening Walk with Hidden Gems, Geisha & SakeFrom $3241 reviews
★ 4.9Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour with Local Japanese GuideFrom $75189 reviews
★ 4.9Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour Through Backstreets & TemplesFrom $8754 reviews
★ 4.9Gion Geisha District Walking Tour and Hidden GemsFrom $2514 reviews
★ 4.6Gion World of the Geisha Guided Walking TourFrom $2925 reviews
★ 5.0Gion Walking TourFrom $35195 reviews
★ 4.8Gion & Geisha District Night Time Walking TourFrom $2056 reviews
★ 4.9Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture TourFrom $23126 reviews
★ 4.8Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Walking Tour with GuideFrom $3418 reviews
★ 4.6Fushimi Inari Taisha Guided Walking TourFrom $2465 reviews

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