The 15 Best Temple & Shrine Tours in Japan

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.”

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2.Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,986 reviews · 10 hours · from $122

This 10-hour coach tour links Tokyo’s major sights with a live English guide and optional audio in six languages. You’ll visit Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree, with matcha, an optional fried chicken and tofu lunch, and a bay cruise when operating. Guides such as Aya, Yui, Hiro, and Tsubasa are praised for clear explanations and lively service.

“Really great tour - Our guide Hiro was awesome (and so was Bell-san our driver).”

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3.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,583 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon and walk through Asakusa’s temple grounds, Nakamise Street, Asakusa Shrine, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Glenda explain customs, architecture, and local food stops. The tour costs $22, lasts two hours, and ends near Azuma Bridge.

“Great tour with a very knowledgeable and friendly guide from the local area. Definitely recommend.”

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4.Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,577 reviews · 11 hours · from $89

Leave Tokyo’s Ginza by air-conditioned coach for Nikko’s ornate Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji. English and Spanish guides such as Melody, Jorge, and Beru add history, customs, and practical help. Choose carefully: shrine entry and lunch depend on the option you book, and winter weather can replace the mountain stops.

“Believe the tour was quite well organized, giving you just enough time and slightly more to see all the attractions. Our tour guide was Melody, and she was quite helpful with questions as well as told some—at least for me—great jokes 😄😄 p.s. after seeing now Toshogu, I confirm by belief that few things come close to Tokugawa wealth - lel”

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5.Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip including Temple Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,375 reviews · 9 hours - 570 minutes · from $58

Spend nine hours exploring Kamakura and Enoshima by air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Komachi Street, Hasedera, the Great Buddha, and Enoshima’s shrines, caves, shops, and sea views. Guides such as Eric, Yuki, Mitsuko, Omar, and Koji lead in English or Chinese, with temple tickets included.

“Our guide was lovely- enthusiastic and looked out for us. Shared great stories. Timing was very good. It was extremely hot but well worth the tour. Really enjoyed it.”

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6.Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,266 reviews · 10h 30m · from $84

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Nikko from Tokyo with an English and Chinese-speaking guide such as Tina, Zoe, Jeff, or Jax. Visit Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and, from October 1, 2025, Shinkyo Bridge. Transport and shrine admission are included, but lunch and the waterfall elevator cost extra.

“Zoe was full of interesting information and an overall great guide! Nikko was very beautiful and we lucked out with the maple leaves in mid-November. Very cold by the lake, bring warm clothes!”

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7.Tokyo Panoramic 1 Day: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Odaiba and SKYTREE®

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,222 reviews · from $85

Spend about nine hours seeing Tokyo’s essential sights by comfortable Hato Bus, with an English-speaking guide, buffet lunch, and SKYTREE® Tembo Deck admission. Walk through Meiji Shrine, view the Imperial Palace, cross Rainbow Bridge, explore Odaiba, visit Senso-ji, and finish high above the city. It is designed for first-time visitors who want an easy overview.

“Very enjoyable day. Our tour guide Chicuko was an excellent communicator with clear commentary on our locations and instructions. Day flowed extremely smoothly. Lunch amazing too.”

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8.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Top rated

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide at Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, a Japanese lunch, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Kieran, Nadine, and Dylan have led recent departures. Expect a forest walk, possible winter ice, and free time at each major stop.

“We had an amazing day on this tour! The itinerary was well balanced which included a good amount of time to experience the snow monkeys. In addition, the sake tasting and the visit to the temple was also very good. The lunch was amazing and comforting. Thank you to our guide Dylan who did a great job!”

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9.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!”

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10.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Spend a full day with an English-speaking guide exploring Zenko-ji Temple, tasting local sake, eating a Nagano-style lunch, and walking to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom, Hiroshi, and Kevin have helped make the day informative and easy to manage. Winter pickups from Hakuba are available.

“We liked everything, Luka was very friendly and helpful. The meal was one of the best we had in Japan. At the monkeys forrest was very cold, but it was a fairytale place to walk.”

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

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

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.”

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12.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.”

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13.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.

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14.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 510 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

Meet near Tawaramachi Station for a 90-minute English-led visit to a private Asakusa temple. A guide such as Tamami, Kazu, or Shota translates the resident monk’s instruction on zazen, followed by meditation, calligraphy, matcha, sweets, and questions about Zen and Japanese life. It is calm, personal, and suitable for beginners.

“It was a great experience! Even if you’re not interested in Buddhism it is worth to participate :)”

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15.Mt. Fuji Heritage Tour: Traditional Villages, Lakes & Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 509 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Spend 10 hours touring Mt. Fuji’s best-known photo spots by coach, with an English, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese guide. Visit Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park, Arakura Sengen Shrine, Chureito Pagoda, and Oshino Hakkai. Guides such as Sia, Kazi, Wanting, and Alex are praised for clear directions and careful timing. Lunch and personal purchases cost extra.

“Great expérience. Sawaki was a great guide , very smilling and lot of good informations during the tour. Valentin”

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