On this visit to Osaka Castle, you'll get to discover the site's 100-plus years of history across eight floors. Inside, you'll be able to observe ancient Japanese relics and take in far-reaching views over Osaka from an observation point. There's also a chance to enjoy a show focused on the Taishō era, which ran from 1912 to 1926.
User reviews, Very good, 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1086 reviews
This ticket will provide you with admission to the Umeda Sky Building and the Kuchu Teien Observatory. Here, you'll have the opportunity to admire awe-inspiring panoramic views of Osaka. Skip the hassle with pre-booked tickets and enjoy seamless entry to one of Osaka’s must-visit attractions.
User reviews, Excellent, 4.5 out of 5 stars from 743 reviews
This ticket will give you admission to teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka. You'll get to explore this permanent nighttime exhibition that transforms the 240 000 square yards of Nagai Botanical Garden into an experiential art space. You'll see how the space is transformed and influenced by the wind, rain and behavior of people and birds. During your visit, you'll learn that non-material digital technology can turn nature into art without harming it.
User reviews, Very good, 4.2 out of 5 stars from 788 reviews
At Kyoto Sumo Club you will enjoy an introduction to sumo history and culture paired with an authentic sumo-style meal and all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink. The experience opens with a traditional Japanese dance performed by geisha in elegant kimono, setting a ceremonial tone before the sumo portion begins. Seating is arranged so every guest has an intimate view of the sumo ring.
The sumo show itself starts with the geisha dance and moves on to live demonstrations of exercises, techniques and sumo etiquette. You will then watch a best-of-three match between retired sumo wrestlers. You can also step into the ring to challenge a wrestler; challenger spots are limited and, if there are more applicants than places, participants may be chosen by lottery. The performance is presented as a fun, family-friendly show rather than a real training session or tournament. Every guest receives a souvenir gift bag to take home as a keepsake of the visit.
Duration: 2 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.9 out of 5 stars from 254 reviews
In Kyoto, this immersive cultural tour will combine several integral aspects of Japanese tradition in one experience. You will take part in a traditional tea ceremony set in an authentic setting, and don a beautifully selected kimono with complimentary hair styling to complete the look. As you move through the session, you will learn the graceful art of preparing matcha and enjoy it paired with exquisite sweets from a century-old confectionery. The experience is run as a small group, limited to ten people, so you will receive personalised attention.
For an added layer of tradition, you may choose an optional Japanese calligraphy lesson and create a personal souvenir to take home. The format will suit culture enthusiasts and families who want a deeper connection with Japan’s heritage, offering both hands-on practice and opportunities to appreciate long-standing crafts and flavours.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 312 reviews
In this Craft Your Own Chopsticks from Raw Wood experience you will start with simple wooden blanks and shape them into a pair of usable chopsticks. You’ll work with a traditional kanna (Japanese hand plane) and feel the grain of the wood as you refine each piece. Along the way you’ll move from rough shaping to a smooth, polished finish, enjoying a calm, hands-on encounter with Japanese craftsmanship.
The workshop is fully guided and designed for beginners. Your instructor will teach each step clearly and patiently, so no prior woodworking experience is needed. You may choose from a curated selection of Japanese woods, each noted for its texture, aroma and natural colour; two wood types are included at no extra cost, with premium woods available as an optional upgrade for a more distinctive result.
Duration: 1 hour
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 105 reviews
In Kyoto and Nara you'll see how tradition blends with modern life. In Nara Park you’ll encounter free-roaming deer that charmingly bow to you in hopes of a treat. At Fushimi Inari Shrine you’ll walk among the magnificent torii gates that form long, atmospheric pathways up the hillside.
You’ll also visit the Arashiyama area, where nature and temples sit side by side. As you move through the Bamboo Forest you’ll feel the calm atmosphere, and you’ll pass Nonomiya Shrine and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple. Along the river you’ll see the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge and, nearby, the Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House and the colourful Kimono Forest. Departing from Osaka or Kyoto, you’ll be accompanied by a friendly, professional guide who will help bring the history, sights and local traditions to life.
Duration: 9 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 668 reviews
4.8 · Exceptional(668 reviews)
Free cancellation available
From
US$60
US$54
Original price from US$60. Current price from US$54
The Kyoto Night Walking Tour introduces you to Kyoto’s Geisha culture as the city moves into evening. You’ll be led by local guides steeped in tradition who know the neighbourhoods and stories. As you stroll through Kyoto at night, elegance and grace will come to life around you.
Along the way you’ll learn Geisha secrets, their training and the artistry behind their craft. You’ll encounter Geisha and Maiko as they head to appointments, giving you a rare glimpse into their world. In an intimate setting you’ll have the chance to ask questions and engage with the tradition, making the experience feel authentic and personal. The tour illuminates the history and the thriving customs of Kyoto’s Geisha culture that come alive after dark.
Duration: 2 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1382 reviews
4.8 · Exceptional(1382 reviews)
Free cancellation available
From
US$30
US$24
Original price from US$30. Current price from US$24
On this Hozugawa River tour, you’ll leave Kyoto and embark on an enchanting journey along the river. You’ll get a chance to drift along its pristine waters, seeing the reflections on the surface.
Along the way, you’ll be able to marvel at the colossal rocks that the river's eternal flow sculpts. Additionally, you’ll delight in the playful fish and graceful water birds that call this ravine home.
During the tour, skilled boatmen will navigate the river using traditional techniques as you immerse yourself in the serene beauty. Overall, you’ll get a luxurious and tranquil escape from the daily grind in the city.
Duration: 2 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.7 out of 5 stars from 35 reviews
With admission to Kyoto's Fu Fu No Yu onsen, you can experience Japan's age-old bathing culture. At the facility, you'll find various open-air baths including a cold-water plunge bath, a steam room, a sauna and a scenic Zen garden. You can unwind and let your muscles relax as you luxuriate in the therapeutic waters.
Duration: 24 hours
User reviews, Very good, 4.3 out of 5 stars from 392 reviews
This ticket will grant you access to the Observation Deck at the top of the Nidec Kyoto Tower.
During your visit to one of Kyoto's tallest buildings, you'll get the chance to take in the panoramic views of the city from a height of 328 feet. You'll be able to discover famous landmarks such as the Kiyomizu-dera, Chion-in and Toji temples. You might also see Osaka on the horizon.
You'll also have the opportunity to use free telescopes on the fifth floor and get a closer look at the sights. Besides, you'll be able to explore the sky lounge, the public bath house and the restaurant in the Nidec Kyoto Tower.
User reviews, Very good, 4.2 out of 5 stars from 195 reviews
You will enter a traditional teahouse tucked in the Kiyomizu Sannenzaka area, set within a famous garden designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, one of Japan’s foremost landscape architects. As you move through the sanctuary, a guide will lead you around the grounds where every stone and plant seems to tell a story. Along the way you will learn about the tea ceremony’s place in Japanese culture and how this elegant ritual has been part of people’s lives for over 500 years.
A tea master will demonstrate the refined choreography of the ceremony, showing the movements and attentions developed over centuries. Under gentle guidance, you will be taught how to prepare matcha tea yourself, practising the technique that creates the bright green powder’s characteristic froth. Before you leave, you will have a photo shoot in the tranquil garden. The seasonal scenery will provide a calm, iconic backdrop for photos to remember the experience.
Duration: 45 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 167 reviews
You’ll enter the Gion Kobu quarter of Kyoto’s Kagai district at the Gion Kagai Art Museum, a unique facility in historic Gion‑machi where the refined culture of geiko and maiko is preserved and presented. The museum offers an introduction to centuries‑old traditions that are still passed down with care, so you can appreciate the history and pride of Kyoto’s Kagai culture and the spirit of earlier generations.
Alongside displays and interpretation, the museum presents Kyomai dance performances. These are typically given by a single maiko or geiko; on some days two performers may appear together. You’ll also learn the local terms and roles: geiko refers to women who perform traditional dance and entertain guests in ozashiki banquet rooms and on stage, while maiko are women training to become geiko.
The visit gives a concentrated, respectful look into the world of Gion’s entertainers, their artistry and the customs that surround them, all set within one of Kyoto’s most historically rich neighbourhoods.
Duration: 20 minutes
User reviews, Very good, 4.3 out of 5 stars from 121 reviews
Explore Kyoto's top landmarks on a comfortable coach tour that starts and ends at Kyoto Station for a smooth, stress-free experience. All admission fees and a Japanese buffet lunch are included. A professional English-speaking guide will attend, and the coach offers free Wi‑Fi and air conditioning. Multilingual audio guidance is available (EN, FR, IT, ES, TH, ID, UK).
Along the route you will take in Kiyomizu‑dera's sweeping panoramic views, see the 1,001 golden Kannon statues at Sanjusangen‑do, and walk among the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. You will also visit the serene Sagano Bamboo Forest and admire the striking Kinkaku‑ji Temple. As you move through these World Heritage and must‑see sites, the guide and audio commentary will help you learn about their history, artistry and cultural significance.
Duration: 8 hours - 9 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 875 reviews
You will take part in a small-group tea ceremony near the Zen Buddhist monastery Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto. Sessions are limited to a maximum of six people and, during peak seasons, this increases to eight. Daitoku-ji has had many famous priest graduates and a long connection with tea ceremony culture, which has influenced Japanese culture. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) is also not far away — only four stops by bus.
During the experience you will be shown the traditional tools and how to use them: a tea container, tea bowl, tea scoops and whisks are provided, along with instruction on how to make matcha. You will taste two bowls of matcha and two kinds of Japanese sweets. The tea ceremony is a learned practice and is often described as leading to enlightenment, reflecting Zen’s idea of realising the truth through self-discovery. Along the way you’ll gain a practical understanding of the methods and the cultural context that link the ceremony to the nearby temple.
Duration: 45 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 170 reviews