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.
“The museum was fantastic! It was a short and fun experience. If you are a history or samurai enthusiast I highly recommend it. Our guide Saku was great friendly and energetic!”
Gion Kagai Art Museum and a short Kyoto Mai dance by geiko or maiko, plus exhibits, garden time, and no photos during the performance.
“The show was brilliant. It was just the right amount of time as well. It was breathtaking and a great insight to Japanese culture.”
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.
“Miu is a great guide. Really nice and insightful. Great way to learn about Samurai history and culture.”
A family-friendly ninja and samurai workshop in Kyoto with hands-on shuriken and blowgun practice plus a museum tour.
“This was a fun experience! Our kids had a blast! Who doesn’t love throwing stars and blow darts. It was fun to learn more about ninjas and Samurai’s.”
Watch a live Kyomai dance by a geiko or maiko and tour the Gion Kagai Art Museum in about 20 minutes for $20.
“Kyomi dance was good but recommend you go early and explore the Art Museum first so you can read about some of the Geiko culture beforehand - also it’s probably cheaper to buy the tickets directly at the Gion Art Museum while you are walking through the area - lots of time slots available for…”
Dress as a samurai in Kyoto, learn sword basics, and pose for themed photos in a small-group 2-hour katana experience.
“We had a really great time with the Samurai experience. We got to dress up and learn a form with a wooden sword. Our sensi was very good and very patient. Which I really appreciated. The explanation of the history of the Samurai was also very interesting. I definitely recommend the Samurai experience.”
Kyoto Railway Museum ticket gives you 53 real trains, hands-on simulators, train interior access, plus a steam locomotive ride and roundhouse turntable.
“nice to see the history of the train in Japan and of course see the bullet train”
Kyoto family sword lesson where you dress as a samurai, learn kata with a katana, try ninja shuriken, and visit the Samurai Ninja Museum.
“Great experience, Nobu was fantastic!”
Kyoto day tour to the Yamazaki whisky distillery and Asahi Art Museum with Monet’s Water Lilies, plus guided tastings and a gift.
“If you enjoy Japanese whisky and particularly Yamazaki, this is one way to visit and tour the distillery without doing the lottery. Our guide Aya was marvelous—she is kind, fun, helpful, and great to chat with. There is a visit to Asahi museum aRead more”
A half-day Kyoto area walk that pairs Asahi Oyamazaki Villa Museum art with Yamazaki Whisky Museum shopping and optional tastings.
“Our guide was Fuji-San and she was excellent in taking us through the Asahi museum and then the Yamazaki Distillery Tour. She gave us excellent tips about the local history and what to order from the tasting bar menu. In the end, she gave us a couple of parting gifts that truly made this day…”
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.
