On Foot · KYOTO WALKING TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 11 walking tours in Kyoto worth the shoe leather, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Explore Gion’s geisha culture, temples, tea houses, and quiet lanes on a two-hour English walking tour for $25.
“Michael gave us very helpful information about the sites. Best tour.”
Explore Gion after dark on a small-group Kyoto walk with geisha traditions, glowing shrines, quiet lanes, and helpful local guides.
“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!”
Review of Kyoto’s $20 Gion and Pontocho night walk, with geisha culture, local stories, shrine stops, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“local guide was knowledgeable and explained vert well. The only disappointment was the weather which was nobody's fault, and in fact she dealt with it very well finding sheltered places to stop”
Explore Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama by night on a two-hour guided walk with shrine visits, geisha culture, pagodas, and local tips.
“Amazing tour! The guide was very informative and had a lot of knowledge of the places he showed us. Despite the cold weather the experience was amazing and my friend and I would definitely recommend.”
Explore Kyoto’s Gion by night with an English-speaking guide, learn geiko etiquette, and discover the district’s quiet streets for $21.
“Absolutely fantastic! We saw both Geiko and Maiko and were in absolute awe. The tour took us to uncrowded and picturesque locations. Small group tour as well, we saw other tours that had over 30 people. We took 3 kids and 1 in a pram and was fine. Absolutely would recommend.”
Review of Kyoto’s $25 evening Gion geisha walk, with guide tips, route details, value advice, and practical booking information.
“Melanie brought Gion and the geishas to life for us. We learned so much about the history of geishas and the colorful neighborhood. Highly recommend.”
Review of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market brunch tour, with seven tastings, Gion sights, a small group, brunch, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“The first half was spent walking to Nishiki Market. It was interesting but we had heard much of this information already from other tours. Nishiki market was fun, but very crowded. We spent about 45 minutes there and then had lunch at a restaurant outside the market. Good tour but not all Nishiki market.”
Review of Kyoto’s Arashiyama walking tour, covering bamboo, temples, gardens, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park with practical tips.
“Fabulous, beautiful and informative. The guide couldn’t have been better! The area is cooler than Kyoto - come prepared! (The monkey hike was quite a trek - glad I did it even though I was a bit freaked out by the monkeys)”
Explore Gion’s geisha culture, shrines, temples, old townhouses, and quiet lanes on this affordable two-hour Kyoto walking tour.
“Good walking tour only 2 hrs so just bearable in the hot weather. Oliver the guide was very friendly. There were no drink stops though, could of done with one as was unbearably hot. Took us to some really good location stops. Would recommend.”
Explore Kyoto’s lantern-lit Gion, Hanamikoji Street, and Yasaka Shrine on a three-hour guided night walk with local insight.
“Miyake is extremely knowledgeable and can give tons of detail and history. He has lived a rich life and clearly imparts all his knowledge of history and culture in his tour. I really appreciated his patience too as I got lost in my way to the meeting point and he was so patient and even reached out to me. He is a keeper. Thank you!”
Review of Kyoto’s Gion Walking Tour by Night, with geiko culture, film locations, narrow lanes, guide tips, pricing, groups, and booking advice.
“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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