Kyoto Explorer: Ninja, Cuisine, and Castles
Joined 2024
Discover Kyoto's culture and history on this exciting tour.
Start with a Ninja Experience at the Ninja Museum, then enjoy lunch and shopping at Nishiki Market.
Conclude with a visit to Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in samurai history and beautiful gardens.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel lobby
- Your hotel lobby or a designated meeting point within a specified area in Kyoto.
Ninja Experience at "SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM KYOTO With Experience"
Enjoy a thrilling Ninja Experience at "SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM KYOTO With Experience," where you’ll learn ancient ninja techniques, explore traditional practices, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of ninjutsu.
Lunch and Shopping at Nishiki Market
Enjoy a delicious lunch at Nishiki Market, Kyoto's famous food market. Explore the various stalls offering local specialties, fresh produce, and handmade goods. It's also a great place for unique souvenirs.
Nijo Castle
Explore Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the beautiful gardens and discover the history behind this former samurai stronghold.
Ending Point
You can end the tour at your preferred location. We can also assist with restaurant reservations, so please feel free to consult with us.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding Services
Transportation Expenses (for both guests and guide)
Meals and Beverages (for both guests and guide)
Admission Fees for Temples/Shrines (for both guests and guide)
Activity/Experience Charges (for both guests and guide)
Tour Important Information
Tailor Your Adventure: We provide customized tour experiences designed exclusively for you. If you have specific requests or preferences, feel free to share them with us.
Kindly note that reservations should be made at least three days in advance.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Mary T.
We are an all-female group of certified guides specializing in tours around Kyoto and Osaka. Our carefully crafted itineraries showcase the region’s culinary wonders, hidden temples, and vibrant traditions. With a keen sense for the finer details—a valuable asset of a female-led team—we provide travelers with authentic experiences that reveal each city’s unique charm. From sipping matcha in a secluded teahouse to sampling Osaka’s famous street foods, we ensure every moment is memorable. Let our warm, personalized approach create the perfect adventure for you, focusing on safety, comfort, and cultural immersion. Book now and discover Japan’s best with us.
Please note that, due to scheduling circumstances, a male guide may occasionally be assigned. Thank you for your understanding.
Reviews
Alex K.
“Fun tour of Arashiyama with Rin”
We had an awesome partial day tour of Arashiyama with our tour guide Rin! She was knowledgeable, kind and super accommodating to the things we wanted to do. Arashiyama is beautiful and a must visit if you’re in Kyoto and we highly recommend Mary’s team for your tour. Thank you Mary and Rin!!
Mary T.
Dear Alex, Thank you so much for your kind review!! I'm really happy to hear that you had a great time in Arashiyama with Rin. I’m glad you enjoyed it. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your trust in our team. If you ever visit Kyoto again, we’d love to welcome you back! Best, Mary
Ruth B.
“Enjoyable tour ”
We enjoyed our tour with Taro, he was very considerate and patient with some slow walkers in our group and shared a lot of interesting information with us all. Thank you
Mary T.
Dear Ruth, Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s great to hear that Taro made the experience enjoyable for you! We really appreciate your feedback and hope to have the chance to welcome you on another tour in the future! Best Regards, Mary
Sarah D.
“Nara tour - Kyoto to Osaka private guide (driver)”
Mary was my contact person to get a driver from Kyoto to Osaka with a stop with a guide in Nara. The communication was excellent. Whenever I had a question, Mary got back to me right away. Mary gave great suggestions of what to see in Nara. The driver didn't speak English but the guide did. Tiffany our guide was sweet and knowledgable about the area. We did a lot in a short period of time. Tiffany was willing to do what we wanted and we were able to change the itinerary slightly.
Mary T.
Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for your kind words!! I’m so happy to hear that you had a great experience during your Nara tour, and Tiffany was able to make it special for you. It was my pleasure to assist with the arrangements. If you ever need help with another tour in the future, I’d be more than happy to assist. Thank you again! Best Regards, Mary
$280/ per group
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Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple
Why not enjoy your holidays in Kyoto? You can certainly get in touch with many things Japanese that we are proud of. They are old temples and shrines, cultural assets and the beautiful natural surroundings. You can also enjoy dropping in at souvenir stores and buy exquisitely made products, such as folding fans, porcelain and traditional Japanese cakes. I would like to take you to the following places, which are the three representative tourist destinations in this city: (1) Arashiyama It is the place where all the traditional natural beauties of Japan are combined together. They are Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove and the old temples. If you go up to the observation spot, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the gorge below. You can also see rickshaws of the olden times drawn by young people with smiling passengers on board. There are souvenir shops selling variety of goods and products. (2) Nijo-jo Castle (World Cultural Heritage Site) This castle was built in the early 17th century by the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the purpose of protecting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and as the accommodations when Tokugawa Shogun was in Kyoto. It was subsequently enlarged by successive Shogun. It is the castle as well as the palace, where you can see the powerful structures and beautiful gardens. You can learn, in addition, how great the power of Tokugawa Shogun was. (3) Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) (World Cultural Heritage Site) The history of this temple began when the third Shogun of the Muromachi period acquired a tract of land in this area from a powerful statesman in 1397 and built a villa of his own to entertain the Emperor and members of the nobility. The upper two levels of the temple are covered with pieces of gold foil and are shining brilliantly against the background of the rich greenery. The pond in the foreground reflects the golden structure. It looks like the materialization of Pure Land of Buddha in this world. In addition, on the top of the golden structure is the shining phoenix.
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
