KYOTO
Kyoto’s most-loved days out.
The 15 most popular museums tours in Kyoto. What each one involves, how long it runs, what it costs, and who you book with.
Grind tencha into matcha at Chazuna in Uji, then learn brewing with an instructor. Explore interactive tea exhibits in about 1 hour.
Most Popular
Skip the lines at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum for a 1-hour guided, hands-on intro to samurai and ninja culture, with armor and shuriken.
“Raito was a great guide! We learned a lot sbout Samouraïs and Ninja, and had a lot of fun throwing shurikens!”
Gion Kagai Art Museum and a short Kyoto Mai dance by geiko or maiko, plus exhibits, garden time, and no photos during the performance.
“Amazing experience. Watching the Geisha dance was hipnotic - we were transported to other times. And the museum is interesting as well!”
Kyoto Samurai Sword Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum: Iaido with a safe replica, ninja star throwing, and museum tour ticket included.
“Riku provided the best experience I’ve encountered thus far on my Japan Visit. I feel like I went through actual training to become a Samurai. I am grateful for the knowledge this museum had to offer. Thank you also to Riu for taking us on a guided tour and allowing us to interact with the…”
Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour with samurai dress-up, real helmet, shuriken throwing, and English commentary in a small group.
“Everything Our guide looked like a ninja, spoke good English for us to understand, he engaged the audience with his questions & knowledge of the warriors. The warriors, weaponry & history were fascinating. Highly recommend for the whole family.”
A family-friendly ninja and samurai workshop in Kyoto with hands-on shuriken and blowgun practice plus a museum tour.
“This was such a fun experience! The instructor was nice and everyone was very accommodating. We got there about 20 minutes past our time and we were still able to join.”
Watch a live Kyomai dance by a geiko or maiko and tour the Gion Kagai Art Museum in about 20 minutes for $20.
“Den Maiko som uppträdde var helt fantastisk, detta ångrade vi inte att vi gjorde under vår resa. Hade gärna gjort om det :)”
Dress as a samurai in Kyoto, learn sword basics, and pose for themed photos in a small-group 2-hour katana experience.
“Fun time for kids!!! It is not well described you don’t experience Samurai you are taught to be a Samurai that for kids is ok”
Kyoto Railway Museum ticket gives you 53 real trains, hands-on simulators, train interior access, plus a steam locomotive ride and roundhouse turntable.
“Really good. Quiet. Cool inside. A lot to see and interact with.”
Kyoto family sword lesson where you dress as a samurai, learn kata with a katana, try ninja shuriken, and visit the Samurai Ninja Museum.
“Abbiamo partecipato alla lezione di scherma con il Maestro Ken, che ci ha vestiti, ci ha insegnato 2 kata (sequenze di movimenti) con la katana e ci ha fatto sentire dei veri Samurai. Inutile dire che i bambini erano entusiasti e anche per noi adulti é stata un’esperienza indimenticabile. Poi ci siamo spostati al museo…”
Kyoto day tour to the Yamazaki whisky distillery and Asahi Art Museum with Monet’s Water Lilies, plus guided tastings and a gift.
“We had a wonderful time on this tour. Our host was kind and accommodating. She made sure we understood everything going on around us ( we were relying on translation services to understand the directions and tour). AdditionalRead more”
A half-day Kyoto area walk that pairs Asahi Oyamazaki Villa Museum art with Yamazaki Whisky Museum shopping and optional tastings.
“Yumiko was a great guide. She took time to explain some aspects of the museum and help to make sure we saw all the most import parts, expecially the Monet, Picasso and Chagall works of art. She then took us to the Suntory Whisky museRead more”
Make a Kyo-arashi shibori scarf in Kyoto’s Shibori Museum. One-hour small-group workshop includes museum entry.
“Good for a group or a couple of friends. Fun and informative, going through the museum upstairs.”
Enjoy a calm hour at Kyoto’s Old Mitsui Shimogamo Villa with a mobile ticket, garden views, and included matcha on tatami.
“Calming experience. Insight to the traditional architecture. Well preserved and cared for house. Not much English translation available other than the standard leaflet. Tea on the living room looking out over the garden made it feel like we were alone and living history.”
Cheap Uji Matcha Tea Museum ticket: touch tea in digital exhibits, learn Uji history, and snap photos at the matcha spot.
Every district, every season, and every way to see the old capital.
