The 10 Best Literary, Art & Music Tours in Kinki, Japan

Learn how to make your own shibori scarf in Japan during a 30- to 60-minute class. Shibori art pieces, tools, and samples are displayed at the Kyoto Shibori Museum, which you can explore while your piece dries. In the museum shop, admire a variety of original items, souvenirs, and fabrics. Select a morning or afternoon time when booking.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the museum, Kimono-fitting service

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, Gratuities

Learn two techniques for dyeing cloth during this 60 to 90 minute class in Kyoto – Kasamaki and Nuishime. Shibori art pieces, tools and samples are displayed on the exhibition floor. In the museum shop, there are a variety of original items, souvenirs and fabrics for you to peruse.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the museum, Free kimono fitting service

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, Gratuities

You'll get a hands-on introduction to Japanese flower arranging, using seasonal branches and flowers to create beautiful compositions, as well as an overview of the materials/tools necessary for ikebana. To start, I'll serve you green tea and a sweet while we chat about the history of ikebana (originating 500 years ago right here in Kyoto!) and its evolution into a contemporary art form. Then you'll have the chance to try a classical composition, emphasizing season, lines, space, and form. Finally, let your creativity run wild and use the same floral materials to create your own freestyle arrangement. We'll include dedicated time for photos so you can capture your finished arrangements. Workshops are held on the 1st floor of historic Kinse Ryokan, which dates back approximately 250 years and was first constructed when the neighborhood was an active geisha district.

Inclusions: Professional Ikebana instructor, Coffee or tea before the workshop, All necessary tools, Flowers

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Learn how to make your own shibori scarf in Japan during a 30- to 60-minute class. Shibori art pieces, tools, and samples are displayed at the Kyoto Shibori Museum, which you can explore while your piece dries. In the museum shop, admire a variety of original items, souvenirs, and fabrics. Select a morning or afternoon time when booking.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the museum, Kimono-fitting service

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, Gratuities

You can get your own Kanji t-shirt in 2 hours. You will have 3 kinds of FUN! 1. Fun of Learning, 2. Fun of Making, 3. Fun of Wearing 1st Fun is learning about Japanese calligraphy. You will learn about Kanji history and Japanese calligraphy tools. We practice how to make black ink, how to use a brush, how to write basic lines. Then, practice the kanji you chose. You can choose specific kanji you want to write, or just tell me the images you want to write in English, or you can find it from our Kanji List. We tell you the tips for writing the kanji. 2nd Fun is making your own t-shirt. First, we make a silkscreen to print the ink to a t-shirt. Next, choose the color of t-shirt and the color of ink. Then, print the ink to the t-shirt through the silkscreen. Finally, press the t-shirt with heat by a machine so that the ink will not disappear. 3rd Fun is wearing your own Kanji t-shirt. Please wear your own t-shirt with the Kanji you actually wrote. It is the one and only t-shirt.

Inclusions: 1 T-shirt as your souvenir, Use of calligraphy tools and T-shirt making tools, Booklet about Kanji and calligraphy

Exclusions:

The Japanese garden defies quick and easy understanding. As we move in awe through one of these masterpieces we can feel that there is something deeper than just the physical beauty that surrounds us. This experience is designed to go to the heart of that "something deeper". While occupying 3 temples of the Nanzen-ji Monastery, you will hear in-depth explanations and insights into the world of Japanese gardens that you would never learn about otherwise. The Japanese garden will be revealed to you as an expression of profound art. As you will undoubtly visit at least several temples and gardens while you are here, this experience will equip you with all the tools you need to help make your experience in Kyoto one that will form a lasting impression on your heart.

Inclusions: Walking tour of some of the most magical gardens Kyoto has to offer, Guided narration by a landscape designer with 15 years experience

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

There are still many kimono shops in Kyoto and high-quality kimonos are made there. There are a lot of kimono related shops in a small area in Kyoto because kimono consists of many parts such as cloth, kimono ties, and accessories. You will visit facilities where you can make a kimono cloth yourself on this tour! There are much more techniques in making a cloth than you think like dying. You can experience such techniques originated in Kyoto at specialized shops! Choose your favorite shape, color, and pattern and make your own one of a kind cloth! Don’t forget to book your tour to make your own kimono cloth, with your otomo guide!

Inclusions: Private Tour, Tour Guide, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs and extra activities for your own, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, The use of private van

The city we'll visit is called "knife city Sakai," known for its knives from about 450 years ago, and still their skills are alive and improving. However, not many people don't know about how the professionals work for one knife together and their history. Even sharpening knives are not familiar with people. We'd like to share the wonderful Sakai knives with you, and how to sharpen them. Let us make your trip to Japan a bit more interesting and fascinating.

Inclusions: Apron, Tools for sharpening knives, Your knife, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Get away from the crowds and spend a wonderful day in Arashiyama which will undoubtedly stand out in your mind as you think back to your time here in Kyoto. With a small group of 7 members or less you are ensured an authentic and intimate experience. We begin with a morning stroll through the lush garden of one of Japan’s first Zen temples dating back over 1,000 years. We then head into the foothills and as we peacefully stroll back to town we visit twelve hundred stone Buddhas on a hillside, an Edo period cafe, an ancient burial ground, a temple founded by two former geisha, a working pottery studio, the villa of a silent film actor, a majestic bamboo grove, and the "shrine of love'. All this as we browse shops filled with handmade goods and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch. Important Note: Each guest is required to bring an additional 5,500 yen (cash) for admission tickets and lunch.

Inclusions: Professional guide service

Exclusions: Important Note: Each guest is required to bring an additional 4,000 yen (cash) for admission tickets, Lunch cost should not exceed 1,500 yen per guest

Get away from the crowded tourist sites and indulge on a private tour of some of Kyoto's most enchanting spaces. In a town whose history spans over 1,300 years, there are far more than just the "Top 10" that are worth visiting! Quiet Zen gardens, high ranking shrines, a local traditional lunch, a folk art museum and 1,001 Golden Buddha statues. This experience will introduce you to a world far away from the busy tourist sites, where you will spend peaceful moments getting to know the true nature of Kyoto. Note: Depending on our pace, all of the sites on this route may not be able to be visited. If the situation arises where we have to eliminate one or more of the sites the guest will determine what is eliminated.

Inclusions: Guide Service

Exclusions: Each guest is required to bring an additional 4,000 yen (cash) for admission tickets, Each guest is required to bring an additional 1,500 yen (cash) for lunch, Each guest is required to bring an additional 1,000 yen (cash) for transportation.