What to do and see in Kinki, Japan: The Best City Tours

February 16, 2022 Matilde Konrad

The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second-most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area.
Restaurants in Kinki

1. Short Trip in Kyoto Nishiki Market Walking Tour (Small group)

534 Nakanochō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan Japan Wonder Travel
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Nishiki Market is a famous traditional market in Kyoto. But if you go by yourself, you'll just walk 1,000 feet and not find what you want. We will take you to our recommended stores, and show you where to find the best food from a local's perspective. You can learn local culture during this experience. This tour starts at 13:00 pm or 15:30 pm. We'll introduce you to many good foods you can try. You can sample many things without hesitation. And we have a connection with the Japanese lifestyle store -great if you want to buy souvenirs. We'll spend about 1.5 hour in Nishiki Market. Hopefully you will have many shopping bags. At the end, we can tell you about other good spots to visit in Kyoto. We'd like to help you work out an itinerary for enjoying our town.

Inclusions: Local and Professional guide, Pick up sample food

Exclusions: Food (only sample), Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation fee, Other personal expenses

Reviewed By smayne12

This is the perfect tour for anyone who knows nothing about Japan and wants to know more about Kyoto in particular. Haru was very friendly and informative. She tries hard to make it a really fun experience. Okini, Haru-san.

2. Kyoto Private Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized, See the City Unscripted

Kyoto, Japan City Unscripted Kyoto
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Spend time with one of our hosts exploring Kyoto. Half a day is not nearly enough time to see the whole city but with a host by your side you will get a feel for its energy. Explore one of Kyoto's traditional neighborhoods, like Gion. If that’s not your scene, pick a famous attraction like the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari Shrine or Kiyomizudera. See Kyoto as you would if you were coming to visit a friend who lived here. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: Private and personalised experience, 4 hours with a host, Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs, Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By Dream785864

We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour of Kyoto despite the rain! Our guide Giada took us to three main sites of interest and a great market. Her English was perfect and we ate in a locals place for lunch. Highly recommend.

3. Gion night walk tour

Gion-Shijo Station, Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan Hero Tour Japan
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

I can pick you up at your hotel if the guests are from only your group. Guiding fee is 4000 yen per hour.

Inclusions: Experienced Guide

Exclusions:

Reviewed By Kbradshaw2011

Having a guide truly made our Kyoto experience amazing! Beyond what I expected. Having a knowledgeable guide took the stress off me and allowed me to really take in every part of the experience! I loved that he took pictures for us too! I rarely get to be in pictures as I’m always the one taking them. What an incredible guide!!

4. KOBE by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019 Customize Your Itinerary

iSEKAI Travel
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Private VIP Tour in KOBE allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations. You have your own private Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours. Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information. <<< You customize your own Day Trip in KOBE>>> STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests. STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary. STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary. ***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the van. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time. ***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s). ***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reviewed By iamwillbar

We chose this experience so we could fit a number of sights into a single day as we could since we were only spending 3 full days in Kyoto. This allowed us to focus on seeing the things we wanted to rather than transportation between each sight. Marine-san worked with us over email to come up with an itinerary that was efficient and included the majority of the sights that we wanted to see. On the day Shenji-san sent us a message so we had his contact details and arrived promptly at our hotel. He drove us to each location, took photos of us (so we could all be in them!), and gave us additional facts about each location. He was a fantastic host for the day and we'd highly recommend this experience.

5. Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a six-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange 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.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By X4119CEgaryc

Had a pleasant tour of older Tokyo near Nezu Shrine. Our guide (Hiroyuki-san) spoke good English and shared much of the history related to sights we visited. He also took us to areas that local Japanese people visited and shopped frequently. Very nice tour - will do again.

6. The Essence of Nara Cultural Tour: Big Buddha, Bambi and Backstreets

Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 〒630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29 Kyoto Urban Adventures
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Explore the ancient capital of Japan with us and discover a peaceful city, brimming with dazzling temples, shrines, imperial tombs and machiya houses built in the traditional style. We’ll meet divine deer roaming the streets, grab some tasty street food, chat with locals about living and working here and show you our favourite hidden gems in the alleys of the old city. All this at your own pace, without the hassle or the crowds of a typical day in Kyoto. What are you waiting for?!

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, Entrance fees for all the sites mentioned, Local snacks

Exclusions: Additional food and drink, Gratuities for your guide

Reviewed By Ebayasianf

I booked a virtual tour of Kyoto's traditional Higashiyama neighborhood from Amazon Explore. We had the pleasure and good fortune to have Akemi as our tour guide. She spoke good English and was very accommodating to our requests for pictures, shopping, and information. We truly felt the Japan experience and enjoyed it so much, we want to do more travel explore segments. We had been to Japan but somehow missed this beautiful neighborhood. Akemi engaged the local people and introduced them to us and they would take the time to say hello! We saw geishas and couples getting married. Then Akemi helped us look for souvenirs, which we have already received back in the U.S.! The best part was Akemi writing on a monkey wish souvenir and hanging it at the temple. We are planning a trip to Japan and were so impressed with Akemi, we definitely will try to contact her for tour services and thank her in person for such a wonderful experience.

7. Kyoto Foodie Night Tour

Wendy's First Kitchen Kyoto Daimarumae, Japan, 〒600-8006 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 四条通柳馬場西入立売中之町92 Ninja Food Tours
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.9 based on 98 reviews

- 7+ mouth-watering Kyoto-style Japanese food tastings, enough for a full dinner meal, served from locally-owned restaurants (Menu may vary every time based on the fresh ingredients at the market). - Two drinks as we taste local style dinner. You may also choose your drinks (Beer, sake & other drinks). Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. - Explore Kyoto, visiting popular spots as well as hidden gems. Enjoy the unique scenes of Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi.

Inclusions: 10+ Kyoto style course meal, Sake, beer, whiskey, and soft drinks of your choice

Exclusions:

Reviewed By Voyager616002

I have visited Japan many times and I am quite familiar with Japanese food in general but this was a wonderful experience for me. I sampled familiar and unfamiliar dishes but got an opportunity to see some unique restaurants that I wouldn't have stumbled upon on my own. My guide Moe was friendly and knowledgable. Highly recommend even if you are experienced with japanese food.

8. Kimono and Yukata Experience in Kyoto

プレステージ祇園, Umemotocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0064, Japan Kyoto Kimono Rental Rei
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.8 based on 15 reviews

During this kimono rental or yukata rental experience, you can rent and get dressed in a kimono or yukata (during the summer) in the Gion District of Kyoto. Then have the chance to walk around the city and see the sights in this traditional attire.

Inclusions: Kimono or yukata rental, Kimono fitting by a professional

Exclusions: Other options: Hair styling (JPY1000) Makeup (JPY3000), Gratuities, Guide, Hotel pickup/drop off

Reviewed By PaulMahdib

My wife and daughter rented the kimonos and they looked stunning. My daughter got her hair done (1000¥ extra) and afterwards my wife said she had wished she had her hair done as well. We wandered around the shrines and gardens to the east of the rental shop. This isn't just a cheesy tourist thing as probably about a third of the women (and a tenth of the men) were also dressed in kimonos. Note, they moved their shop but the signage is still on the building in the old location. The old location has signage indicating they are on the 3rd floor. That is the wrong building. Head north from there about 200 meters and they are on the 5th floor with new signage. It was quite confusing and hopefully they remove the signage on the old building soon. (The instructions they send you aren't helpful since the address is in Japanese and addresses aren't obvious to my eyes.)

9. Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised ★★★★★

Kyoto, Japan City Unscripted Kyoto
Excellent
91%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.8 based on 15 reviews

Spend the day with one of our hosts as you unleash your inner explorer in Kyoto! You’re in the ‘City of Temples’ and you’ll be able to visit iconic and sacred sites like Kodaji and Kinkajuki Temple. Maybe explore the culturally rich entertainment district of Gion? Alternatively, you could get off the beaten tourist track and explore some hidden gems in the city that only a local would know about. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: A private and personalized experience, 3, 5, 7 or 8 hours with your host- Pick your preferred duration when booking!, Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs , Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By Blonde_Clamshell

I'm so glad we opted for a private tour. We never would have been able to do as much as we did on our own. Personally, I thought it was great value for money. And what a magical experience! We saw so many amazing places during this 6 hour excursion. It was also very helpful in getting us oriented around Kyoto and learning the public transit system. Many thanks to Haruka, our very knowledge guide! I would definitely use this company again.

10. Kyoto welcome tour

Gion-Shijo Station, Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan Hero Tour Japan
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.8 based on 33 reviews

You can request own tour to me.So please text me first.We can decide which sightseeing spots, what kind of meals, how long for guiding, etc.Price is 4000 yen per hour per group.

Inclusions: guide fee

Exclusions: Private transportation, Not include lunch and dinner

Reviewed By EllenX97

Learned a lot about the history of Gion and got a lot of wonderful pictures! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy Gion at night.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.