Total Kyoto Tour: Culture, Lanes & Lanterns
Kyoto, Japan
From USD 178.53
Office phone number: +81 (0)50 5532 5110
Total Kyoto Tour: Culture, Lanes & Lanterns
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
Experience an afternoon and evening packed with Kyoto highlights in the magical former capital of Japan. Take in a serene Buddhist temple and unique Shinto shrine, see where geishas brighten up dark backstreets, and explore beautiful lantern-lit laneways while enjoying some amazing local food.
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Highlights
- See the contrast of Kyoto by day and Kyoto after dusk
- Visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine with its many red torii gates
- Explore the famous Gion geisha district, and learn about where the geisha live and work
- Taste some of the best traditional local street snacks
- See some of the city’s most iconic sites, as well as a few lesser-known gems
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Schedule details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Meeting point:
In front of the Central Post Office on the north side of Kyoto station. "Chu-o yu-bin-kyo-ku" (Central Post Office) is less than a minute walk from the station. Please meet in front of the door with the vending machine and traditional red mail box.
View on Google Maps
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 2.00 PM
- Ending point:
Shijo - Karasuma Station.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, snacks and one drink during the evening portion of the tour, entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary, public transport fees during the tour.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Experience the temples, shrines and gardens that make Kyoto Japan’s capital of culture on this unique tour of the city. This Total Kyoto Tour is a combination of two of our best-selling Kyoto tours, City of Culture and Lanes & Lanterns, giving you the ultimate local experience in one epic adventure!
Founded as the national capital more than 1,200 years ago, Kyoto originally developed as a centre of aristocratic culture, and is most famous for its zen gardens and geisha traditions.
On this full-day Kyoto tour, you'll discover some of the magic of the city through cultural explorations and local experiences. First we'll head to one of the city’s must-see sights, the Tofukuji Temple. Originally built in the 13th century, and famous for its traditional yet modern garden, this is a great place to escape the city. Learn about the origin and inspiration for the garden, and what it means to the monks who continue to live and study here.
Next, we’ll walk through a nice local residential neighbourhood to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Home to a seemingly endless stretch of iconic red torii gates spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this shrine is a world unto itself. Walk through snaking corridors of red gates, made famous in the film "Memoirs of Geisha," stopping to admire the shrines and many fox statues. Major photo opportunity alert!
As the sun begins to set on the toriis, we leave behind the foxes and head to Gion, famously known as Kyoto’s geisha district. This area was the model for Memoirs of Geisha, and it comes alive with people and lights in the evening. Stroll past the 17th-century traditional restaurants and teahouses, many of which are still exclusive establishments for geisha entertainment. See the theatres and traditional shops, and soak up the atmosphere of this historic quarter.
You’ll have free time of about an hour to explore on your own before we regroup for the second half of our tour, exploring Kyoto by night. Walking through the old town’s lantern-lit wooden streets is an otherworldly experience not to be missed!
We’ll avoid the crowds and traverse the serene wooded 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.
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’ 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.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, snacks and one drink during the evening portion of the tour, entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary, public transport fees during the tour.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable and modest attire as we will visit temples and shrines.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
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.
Child Policy: Travellers under 20 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
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Dietary Notes
This tour can be customised to accommodate vegetarians, however we cannot cater to vegans or gluten-free travellers. You are welcome to bring your own food or snacks on the tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +81 (0)50 5532 5110
Email address: info@kyotourbanadventures.com
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