Private Kyoto Lanes & Lanterns Tour
Kyoto, Japan
From USD 96.85
Office phone number: +81 (0)50 5532 5110
Private Kyoto Lanes & Lanterns Tour
Kyoto, Japan





Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
The true magic of Kyoto comes alive at the end of the day, when past and present blend into the night! Take to the streets on a private tour as dusk falls and see how argon lights mix with paper lanterns, age-old shrines squeeze into busy shopping streets, and aged wood is decorated with modern street art.
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Highlights
- Explore Kyoto with your own private guide and watch the city transition from a daytime haven of shrines and temples to a magical nighttime town
- Wander the back streets of Gion and see if you can spot a few Geiko walking through the old quarter
- Visit local spots rarely discovered by tourists such as the Nishiki Tenmangu street shrines
- Jump through history, from the wooden walls and lanterns of Yasaka Shrine to the bustle of Karasuma’s tachinomiya
- Sample tasty snacks as you soak up the lively local atmosphere
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Meeting point:
Entrance to Gion's Corner, by Hanamikoji Dori, 570-2 Gionmachi Minamigawa area, Higashiyama-ku ward, Kyoto.
Directions: Four blocks south from intersection of Shijo and Hanamikoji streets. Hnamikoji is two blocks east of Shijo-Ohashi Bridge.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 6.30 PM
- Ending point:
Shijo - Karasuma station.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food samples (traditional Japanese snacks and drink).
Exclusions: Additional food and drink, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, transportation to and from the meeting point, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Experiencing Kyoto by night is an essential part of any visit to Japan’s city of tradition. Walking through the old town’s lantern-lit wooden streets is an otherworldly experience not to be missed!
We’ll begin our private Kyoto tour at Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto’s famed Geisha district of Gion. As we wander, there’s a good chance you’ll see both Geiko and Maiko breezing through the narrow alleyways of the old quarter.
From there, your private guide will help you avoid the crowds and traverse the serene wooden backstreets through to Yasaka Shrine, where there’s an explosion of light and noise! Famous Yasaka is eternally alive, brought to life by bright lights and buzzing crowds, and lined with street food stalls selling Japan’s favourite evening snacks — everything from frozen bananas to skewered squid.
We’ll then avoid the crowds a second time as we dart into the backstreets of northern Gion, walking through the narrow streets lined with smaller and more modern clubs and bars — a fascinating contrast to the quarter’s old buildings and historical air.
Crossing the Kamo River, we’ll take in the sprawling view of Kyoto’s restaurant district as it stretches into the distance along the river, before crossing into Pontocho. A centuries-old entertainment district now lined with bars and restaurants, Pontocho is lit almost entirely by traditional Japanese lanterns of every shape and size. Each restaurant has its own unique menu and atmosphere, but all retain an old-world charm.
From Pontocho, we’ll cross to Teramachi, a traditional Japanese-style arcade strip that stretches off into the distance. Roofed with glowing, cathedral-like arches, Teramachi is home to a countless variety of merchants and restaurants, including traditional Japanese bookstores and the ubiquitous, brightly lit Manga comic shops. Here, you can find everything from statues of ancient gods at a Butsudan-ya (Buddhist altar shop) to high-quality sushi knives and vintage clothing.
Leaving Teramachi’s arcade, we’ll head past the Nishiki food market to check out a tachinomiya — translated in English, ‘tachinomiya’ literally means ‘stand and drink shop.’ Bars with no seats offer locals a chance to enjoy drinks and light snacks en route to home or engagements elsewhere.
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Lanes & Lanterns group tour.)
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
For additional directions to meeting point:
- By city bus to "Shijo Kawaramachi"
- By Hankyu Railway: Kawaramachi Station exit 1 (10-minute walk)
- By Keihan Railway: Gion -shijō Station exit 6, (5-minute walk)
- From JR Kyoto Station: by city bus in approximately 25 minutes, or approximately 15 minutes by taxiDownload a map here: http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food samples (traditional Japanese snacks and drink).
Exclusions: Additional food and drink, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, transportation to and from the meeting point, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: The tour includes a brief visit to a small shrine. As such, modest dress is highly recommended. We recommend having your shoulders covered and wearing pants or a skirt that covers the knees.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Some food allergies can be accommodated for but please check beforehand with us at info@kyotourbanadventures.com.
Child Policy: Travellers under 20 years of age are not permitted to join this tour
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Local contact
Office phone number: +81 (0)50 5532 5110
Email address: info@kyotourbanadventures.com
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