Kyoto Food & Culture 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide

5.0
(7 reviews)

6 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: Japanese and 1 more

THE tour for a local's experience of Kyoto’s best food! Our nationally-licensed and experienced English-speaking guides will help you find the best eats while learning about Kyoto.
Kyoto’s dishes have little flashes of flavor that will surprise you from Tofu skin hot pots to eel rice bowls, and buckwheat noodles with a huge fish.
Street food fans must visit Nishiki Market. This 400 year old market is rich in history and food. See some too-cute-to-eat Japanese ‘wagashi’ sweets or the eccentric tako-tamago, a skewered octopus stuffed with a quail egg. Or you can enjoy looking at the pickled foods that locals love! If you are a tea fan, have some rich and warm green tea (matcha), or a green tea parfait to cool down.
Once your reservation is made, please chose 3-4 spots from the tour details and let your guide know your food interests when planning. We hope to guide you soon!

*The cost of food and drinks is not included in the tour price. The tour fee covers guide services only.

What's Included

Licensed Local Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Other personal expenses
Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide)
Entrance fee (for yourself)
Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)
The cost of food and drinks

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Itinerary

Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District—Gion can be daunting for a first-time visitor. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. It’s a great way to discover hidden places that locals love, and to hear about Kyoto’s ancient past. Highlights include learning about Geisha culture and rituals, and visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 3

    You will have original Kyoto Sweets in the beautiful building renovated from Kabuki Theater. The sweets is traditional one, but you can enjoy it by the unique way. You can eat it just here!!

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is packed with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet. Business hours and closing days of the restaurants, bars and shops along Pontocho vary by establishment, but most places are usually open from around 17:00 to 23:00. Some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments offer English menus.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Kenninji Temple (建仁寺) locates very close to the bustle of Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, the grounds of Kenninji Temple are expansive and pleasant to walk, and the two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) here offer the visitor an oasis of tranquility. It is thought to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

    1 minute Admission ticket not included
  • 6

    Byodoin Temple is known for its Phoenix Hall, which is a National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Extra travel time is expected as it is located in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 7

    The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 8

    Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867)

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 9

    You can see Japan's background that is off-limits to ordinary tourists after the tour. This short trip is a fantastic and great value way of experiencing Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine! We are here to help you discover new things, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is so more than its famous tunnels of vermillion-red torii gates. Most people are satisfied by a scenic view of it. But this has a lot of stories to tell that will connect you to the Japan's history and culture and your guide will show you deeper. You will see a fascinating story attached to the origin of the shrine dedicated to the god of grains – that’s what “Inari” means – . This is also why you’ll see statues of the fox around the shrine. “Kitsune” or the fox is a servant to the god Inari. They are cunning tricksters, clever minded animals who make perfect guides for the treacherous business world. You may would want the foxes on your side after this tour.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by Japan Guide Agency

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Tags

Day Trips
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Rail Tours
Walking Tours
City Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Public Transportation Tours
Food & Drink
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 7 7 reviews
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