🏨 Kyoto Samurai and Geisha Town Private Tour Activity

Kyoto Samurai and Geisha Town Private Tour

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From $138.98

Price varies by group size

Lowest Price Guarantee

Pricing Info: Per Person

Duration: 7 hours

Departs: Kyoto, Kyoto

Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

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Overview

Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. Meanwhile, not only nobles, including Emperors and royal families, but also samurais, especially Shoguns, used to have a deep relationship with Kyoto. With this tour, you can visit gorgeous castles and temples founded by powerful Shoguns of different eras and learn about Kyoto and Japan’s history.

Kyoto also prospered as a capital, then the traditional and unique culture, including geishas and a row of town houses has very well preserved. By visiting the world-famous Gion, you can experience traditional Japanese heritage. This tour starts a little bit early in the morning, but enables you to enjoy your day comfortably, avoiding crowds.

What's Included

Admission Fees

Guide Fare

Public Transportation

What's Not Included

Food & Drink

Traveler Information

ADULT: Age: 15 - 120

Additional Info

Accessible for those with limited mobility
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants must not sit on laps
Not suitable for pets
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
Regular temperature checks for staff
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Wheelchair accessible

Accessible for those with limited eye sight
Animals or pets allowed
Face masks provided for travellers
Infant seats unavailable
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not stroller accessible
Not wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
We have turned all of our tours private, so you can enjoy them safely together with your family or friends.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What To Expect

Nijo Castle

In 1603, the shogun relocated his shogunate to Edo, present day Tokyo. Nijo castle was built as the castle where the shogun stayed when visiting Kyoto. Inside the castle, there are more than 1,000 gorgeous and unique pictures painted on sliding doors giving you an understanding of the powerful authority of the shogun. It was in this very castle that the last shogun declared to return the power to the Emperor in 1867, after 260 years of his family’s governance.The garden with bonsai-like figured pine trees and rocks in various shapes is outstanding.

60 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kinkakuji Temple

This famous Zen temple built in 1397 by 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga shogunate is an icon of Samurai culture and one of must-sees in Kyoto. The combination of golden pavilion and its shiny reflection on the pond cannot help mesmerizing visitors.

60 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gion

In Kyoto, there are five Kagai (geisha districts), and Gion is the biggest one among those. Geishas are important part of traditional Japanese culture as they are well trained professional performers and succesors.

Let’s stroll around Gion district where a row of beautiful, old-style houses are still preserved.

If you are lucky enough, you may encounter Geiko or Maiko(apprentices) dressed in gorgeous kimono.

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kennin-ji Temple

Situated in Gion area, this temple was founded by 3rd Shogun of Kamakura shogunate as the first zen temple in Kyoto. It dates back to 1202. There are two things here not to be missed.

One is its dry garden designed by Kumakichi Kato in 1940 which expresses the wabi-sabi aesthetic sense in Japanese art centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

The other is a picture of powerful twin dragons painted on the ceiling of the main hall as can be seen in other zen head temples too. They are believed to protect Buddhism. As the painting was so large, it took the painter Junpei Koizumi almost two years to complete it.

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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Kyoto Samurai and Geisha Town Private Tour Activity - Kyoto Travel Guide

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