Top 15 Temple and Shrine Tours in Kyoto

1.Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,207 reviews · 1h 10m · from $29Our pick

Enter Jotokuji Temple, take part in a purification ritual, then learn the art of matcha in the Grand Tearoom. English-speaking hosts, including Kate and Taka, explain each step and guide you as you prepare your own tea. Expect a small group of up to 10, traditional sweets, floor seating, and a calm 70-minute workshop.

“The hosts of the tea ceremony were so very sweet, charming and kind. They took the time to explain every step of the matcha tea preparation carefully and then gave us the opportunity to prepare our own tea under their guidance. Very nice experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 886 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $87

Spend five hours walking through Arashiyama with a bilingual guide such as Karim, Tom, Toru, or Francis. Visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji Temple, Kimono Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Iwatayama Monkey Park. Choose street food and river views, or a local lunch and sake tasting.

“Our guide, Karim, has been perfect. Informative, friendly and fun! He kept a good pace during the tour and we never felt rushed, he gave us free time for pictures/eating/facilities. The tour covered some very famous sites but Karim has been also able to bring us “off the beaten path” letting us visit gardens and spots that we would have missed otherwise. The group was of just 5 people so we have been extremely lucky, usually it’s max 12 people but maybe off season helped! We highly recommend the tour and thank you again Karim!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53Top rated

Spend four to four and a half hours walking through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide. Visit Tenryu-ji, Nonomiya Shrine, the Bamboo Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. Guides such as Tim, Amy, Nay, and Gabriele have been praised for clear explanations and friendly pacing. Expect plenty of walking and an uphill climb to the monkeys.

“Amy & Daniel were great providing lots of information and keeping us all on track. The temple and grove were fascinating and the guides very knowledgeable about it. The monkeys were cute as there were babies. It’s a bit of a hike up to them but the view was definitely worth it. Great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 754 reviews · from $61

Travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama, Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine by air-conditioned bus. You’ll have free time at each stop, a Kyoto townhouse lunch with Kobe beef, pork, or vegetarian curry, and guidance in English or Chinese. Guides such as Gary, Nick, Eric, and Mike are praised for keeping the day organized and fun.

“Gary's kindness and attentiveness were highly appreciated. The itinerary was consistently adhered to, and the destinations were exceptional, with Gary's recommendations proving valuable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 650 reviews · 1 day · from $5Best value

Spend a day exploring Ninnaji Temple, founded in 888 and known for late-blooming Omuro sakura, a five-story pagoda, Goten Palace gardens, and the two-hour Omuro Pilgrimage course. Optional tickets may include the Reihokan Museum, flower festival, or other special areas. A special guide inside Kannon-do may also be available.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $110

Spend four and a half hours exploring Kyoto’s Tofukuji area with a local guide such as Yutaka or Hikari. Visit Zen temples and a dry garden, learn zazen from a monk, and eat a traditional Buddhist lunch. The group is limited to seven people, with temple admissions included.

“The tour with yukasan and the group zen meditation, which was our first one, was an absolute highlight in Kyoto! We learned a lot about Shinto and Buddhism, enjoyed a very quiet temple and relaxed even more in a very authentic zen meRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Zen Experience in a Hidden Temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 437 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

Meet at Myoshin-ji’s north gate for a short walk to Jusho-in, where Abbot Eitetsu Nishida leads two 20-minute zazen sessions. You’ll learn about Rinzai Zen, drink matcha, taste seasonal wagashi, and receive photos from the visit. English guidance, chairs, and small-group or private options are available.

“Wonderful experience in a lovely temple (and beautiful grounds). The two meditations were challenging in the best way, the tea experience was really unique and my husband and I loved telling everyone about it when we got back. the photos were a really nice touch and came out beautifully - they're such a special memory to take home with us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · from $99

Choose a kimono from a Nishijin collection, have your hair styled, and learn tea ceremony customs from a tea master with 30 years of practice. This 90-minute Kyoto experience includes seasonal sweets, photos, commentary, and a chance to prepare your own tea near Daitokuji and Imamiya Shrine.

“If you have never done a formal tea tasting or dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, this is a must do experience!! Great photo ops, delicious matcha tea, great explanations of everything, overall a great experience! My only complaint wRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 270 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Start near Tofukuji Station and approach Fushimi Inari from the quiet back side of Mount Inari. Your English-speaking guide leads you through forest paths, bamboo groves, small shrines, and thousands of vermilion torii gates before finishing at the main shrine. Expect about 7 kilometers, steep steps, bugs, and a real hike rather than a casual stroll.

“My boyfriend and I enjoyed our with Nobu and Jimmy our tour guides. They were amazing people and made the journey around Fushimi Inari all the more enjoyable. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Matcha, Monkeys & secret spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $89

Spend about five hours exploring Arashiyama with a guide such as Toru, Karim, Tom, or Francis. Walk the bamboo grove, enter Okochi Sanso Garden for matcha, visit Tenryu-ji, cross Togetsukyo Bridge, and finish with a steep hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama. Expect a relaxed pace, local stories, shopping help, and plenty of walking.

“Our guide was excellent, set a good pace, very knowledgeable. The range of sites we visited was great. The monkey park was not our favorite and the hike up was something on a hot day, but the views of Kyoto from there were worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · 1h 30m · from $91

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kodaiji Park and walk 10 minutes to a private temple not open to the public. A monk explains Zazen posture, breathing, and Zen principles before you practice together. The 90-minute visit ends with matcha, sweets, questions, and time in the garden. Guides have included Satoru, Soma, Kohtaro, and Ruko.

“Our meditation session with was one of the standout moments of our trip. The setting was serene, the experience incredibly authentic, and the teachings deeply grounding. Monk Koin brought a calm presence that made the meditation feel meaningful and accessible, even for beginners. Soturo did a fantastic job translating—respectful, clear, and warm. If you’re looking for a peaceful, reflective moment during your time in Kyoto, this is not to be missed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Calligraphy class at Buddhist temple in city center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1h 10m · from $55

Meet under the red lantern at Seigan-ji Temple in Kyoto’s Shinkyogoku shopping street. In a small group of up to six, a Japanese calligraphy teacher and translator guide you through brush technique, kanji selection, practice, and a final Shikishi artwork. You also receive a personalized key-chain souvenir.

“The class was FANTASTIC! Both the teacher and the translator were excellent and we learnt so much during our 70 minute session. Would highly recommend the experience :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.4.5-Hour Kyoto Bike Tour with Lunch and UNESCO Zen Temples

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $99

Start near Kyoto Station and pedal into Gion, where you’ll visit Kennin-ji and Nanzen-ji, pass Heian Shrine, and ride beside the Kamogawa River. A guide such as Yusuke or Naru leads the way, with bikes, helmets, photos, temple admission, and a local lunch at a Japanese house included. Plan for four and a half hours of steady cycling.

“I had a great day biking around Kyoto with Yusuke! I wasn’t expecting it to be a private tour but that was a nice surprise because I could go at my own pace. Yusuke was a super friendly and knowledgeable guide - he made sure I was comfoRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $109

Start at Yasaka Shrine at 9 a.m. and walk through Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka to Kiyomizu-dera. Your local guide explains Shinto and Buddhist customs, takes photos, and leads a traditional tea ceremony with matcha and snacks. Guides such as Hide make the three-hour outing relaxed, personal, and easy to follow.

“Our guide Hide was very knowledgeable. He spoke of Shinto and Buddha religions. The walking tour was good for our first day in Kyoto since it got us oriented to the area. The tea ceremony was very calming and relaxing. Highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Kyoto Magical Night English Tour: Gion & Fushimi Inari Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · from $26

Join a local English-speaking guide for a private 2.5-hour evening walk from Fushimi Inari to Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Kyoto’s old lanes. Expect shrine customs, local stories, photo stops, public transport, and a steady amount of walking. Guides such as Ikki, Yui, Yuki, Mariko, and Joi have led past tours.

“Ikki took such wonderful care of us during our first evening in Kyoto! We were pretty low energy after a day of traveling (and some really dreary weather), but his passion and excitement to show us what Kyoto had to offer really kept us going! It was a very chill evening, we covered so much ground in just 2.5 hours — he was incredibly organized and informed, he is so well-versed in the history of Kyoto and did such a good job incorporating some fun tidbits! Walking around town with Ikki truly felt like a friend was showing us the city, he’s easy to talk to and so happy to…”

Check availability →Read our full review