Kansai Prefecture Tours

Take in the highlights of Kyoto in one day with a guide who shares insights into the city’s history and culture. Stroll through the picturesque Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and visit three important temples and shrines: Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji temple—known for its Zen garden, and Fushimi Inari shrine—known for rows of bright orange torii gates. You’ll also walk into the Gion district where you might see a geisha.

You will have your own private car with English speaking driver. Kansai International Airport (KIX) Transfers AIRPORT PICK-UP The driver picks guests up at Kansai International Airport (KIX) in OSAKA and drop the guests off at their Hotel, Ryokan, AirBNB and other types of accommodation in Osaka. AIRPORT DROP-OFF The driver picks guests up at their Hotel, Ryokan, AirBNB and other types of accommodation in OSAKA and drop the guests off at Kansai International Airport (KIX) ***This is a Door-To-Door Service *** One-Way Ticket (Please purchase 2 times for round trip tickets) *** Customers can decide their own pick-up and drop-off time and location.

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your Japanese-Australian guide, Andy, to explore the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner of typical ‘kushikatsu’ cuisine.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and history using this private full-day vehicle charter from Kyoto. After selecting your preferred choice of transportation from a van, bus or limousine, your group will enjoy a private tour through the ancient city of Kyoto, complete with UNESCO-listed temples and numerous culture attractions. Explore the city at your own pace and customize the day to see only what you want to, all with the help of a guide/driver. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the best Kyoto has to offer.

Explore three important tourist attractions in Kyoto on a half-day tour that starts in the afternoon. Go to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Yasaka Pagoda, and Kennin-ji Temple, and see rows of torii gates, well-preserved old wooden buildings, and the first zen temple in Kyoto. You’ll also stroll through the Gion district, and have time for other activities before the tour begins.

Accompanied by a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guide, explore the area of Arashiyama and Sagano, where aristocrats once unwound in their villas more than 1,000 years ago. The highlights of this tour include the scenic countryside views from Togetsukyo bridge; Tenryu-ji temple with its beautiful traditional gardens; the enchanting world from within the Bamboo Grove; and Jojakko-ji Temple with its breathtaking green moss. During the tour you will also visit some secret spots unfamiliar to the usual tourists. Enjoy the walk and delicious food while learning about Japanese culture and history. Our guides are looking forward to arranging a tour that’s best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Set yourself free from the hustling and bustling streets of big cities and dip yourself in nature, refreshing both body and soul. Local Osaka people used to call this area with a phrase "Deep in the mountains of Minoh". Wild monkeys are seen at waterfall area from time to time. The temple along the hiking road is the oldest ascetic Buddhism temple in Japan as it was an ideal training place to seek self and to be enlightened. The area is a very popular hiking spot for Osaka citizens. Let's enjoy the Minoh Quasi National Park, an Oasis very close to the city.

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you’ll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.

This plan gives you a tea ceremony experience with antique kimonos. We guide you around Katsura Imperial villa walking through the local areas in English. For tea ceremony, we use high quality MATCHA tea leaves, which won first prize at the competition of all Japan in 2019.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

For outsiders, Japanese culture can be difficult to grasp but this guided tour offers the chance to get a locals' eye view of one of the most traditional of Japanese settings. Accompanied by a guide, stroll through the historic streets of Kyoto's Gion district, famed for its scenic cobbled streets lit by paper lanterns, traditional architecture, and association with geiko and maiko culture. Visit Pontocho alley, one of Japan's oldest nightlife areas, and stroll by geisha teahouses as your guide offers insights into local culture.

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience. 

Osaka Castle was a part during the Japanese unification on the 16th century. In 1614-1615, was held the Osaka Battle where Toyotomis felt and Tokugawas totally established their autority as Shoguns of Japan. There are lots of Historical remains in the park. The Castle was rebuilt in 1931. It is outside a replica of the original castle. Inside, it is a museum about samurais and the siege of Osaka.

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

When visiting Osaka, it can be challenging to discover where the locals go to eat and drink. Join some Osaka residents for a night out, and come home feeling like you’ve made new friends. Your personable guides navigate a small group of eight or fewer to the izakayas and backstreet bars of Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Amemura, where you sample local food and drink throughout the evening.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Learn the arts of the samurai as you enjoy a 1-hour Kembu show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class, in Kyoto. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances, celebrating the legendary stories of Japan’s feudal period. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with samurai sword and the performers post-show.

Take a deep dive into the art of traditional Japanese handcrafts at the Kyoto Shibori Museum by learning how to dye silk scarf using the sekka shibori method. At the end of your private class you'll have a beautiful scarf to serve as a souvenir of your trip to Kyoto.

Discover the Zen gardens, colorful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more.

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.

Take a deep dive into traditional Japanese culture and history during this full-day trip to Kyoto and Nara from the center of Kyoto or Osaka. Enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and admire the beautiful grounds of the Kinkaku-ji temple. Then head to Nara and see the wild deer of Nara Park. Multiple pickup points and lunch upgrade options are available.

Go off the beaten track—and avoid tourist traps—on this nighttime walking tour of Osaka. In a small group of no more than six people head for the foodie districts of Tenma and Kyobashi to sample local dishes, enjoy a few drinks, and get to know the locals.

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.