Kyoto · KIYOMIZU-DERA & HIGASHIYAMA TOURS
19 reviewed
The Higashiyama slopes hold Kyoto at its most postcard: Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden terrace, the stone lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, teahouses and pagodas down to Gion. Ranked below: the best Higashiyama tours, what each walk covers, how steep it gets, and which start early to beat the crowds up to the terrace.
Kyoto tea ceremony in a traditional tea house in Kiyomizu. Learn matcha, taste sweets and brew your own in 45 minutes.
“Great experience, we were well looked after, the ceremony was well explained and it was great fun making Matcha. Would highly recommend this booking!”
One-day Kyoto highlights: early Arashiyama bamboo, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari with English/Spanish guide.
“It was a very nice trip, Paula & Ikeda-San made a great tour❤️”
Kyoto highlights by bus in one long day with a bilingual guide, early Arashiyama bamboo time, and flexible ticket options for major temples.
“We've used Viator to book tours many times with no problems, however, this tour sadly isnt worth what we paid. While the guide was very friendly and clearly a kind person, we couldn't understand much of his English as he went back and fRead more”
Kyoto Ninenzaka tea ceremony with chairs in a 150-year townhouse. Make Uji matcha, eat Kyoto wagashi, learn etiquette in 50 minutes.
“It was a very informational experience with great tea!!”
Private rickshaw ride through Kyoto’s Higashiyama and Gion with a friendly guide, photo stops, and a smooth, comfy way to see old streets.
“This was an absolute highlight of our entire trip to Japan. Daichi was our guide and what a guide he was! So knowledgeable, friendly and customised the journey to show us some hidden gems we would not have found on our own. Highly recommend. Thanks again Daichi! ❤️”
3 hours in Kyoto with a small group for Kiyomizu-dera, Otowa Waterfall, and a traditional matcha tea ceremony plus snacks.
“Got in a panic to start with as couldn't find tour guide place to meet needs more explanation. Once started tour was great guide very knowledgeable and helpful. He made it very relaxed and he told photos which was great. Wonderful experience thank you.”
Watch matcha made from scratch in a Kyoto teahouse with garden views. Small group, 2 cups, wagashi, photo.
“Very welcoming and kind hosts. Knowledgeable and Informative especially when answering our questions about all things.”
Kimono or yukata rental steps from Kiyomizu-dera. English help, great outfit choices, and full dressing setup for a simple Kyoto day.
“My mom and I had an awesome time renting kimono. I believe her name is Lana, she did my hair and helped my mom with her kimono. Thank you. We look beautiful”
50-minute shodō calligraphy class in a Kyoto townhouse near Kiyomizu. Learn tools, brush pressure, write kanji, take home your work.
“Kind and patient but excellent teachers. Short class But fun. We came away with our own handmade Kanji symbol”
Half-day walk from Kiyomizu-dera to Gion. UNESCO views, Zen at Kennin-ji, small-group pacing. Expert guide, mobile ticket.
“Our tour with Mitsuhiko was fantastic. Good information, well organised and a good pace. Would recommend and see him again, lovely guide!”
Early Kyoto tour that pairs Fushimi Inari torii gates with Kiyomizu-dera views, plus Higashiyama streets and a café finish.
“We liked our tour very much. Diana was a fantastic guide who gave us lots of interesting information about Fushimi Inari and Kiyomisu! Going early definitely helped avoid crowding. I do wish the shops were open, but it was a small price to pay to be able to enjoy the sites without so many people around. Would definitely recommend this tour suggest you ask for Diana!!”
Walk Kyoto’s Higashiyama highlights with a small guided group, from Fushimi Inari torii gates to Kodaiji gardens and Kiyomizu-dera views.
“We really enjoyed the tour. Our guide, Lito was excellent. Not only did he tell us about the places that we have visited but also shared the links of places to eat and other useful information. This tour was a great overview of some mos fascinating attractions of Kyoto. It was a great walk and somehow we avoided the crowds and managed to get wonderful photo shots. My kids, 11 & 18 y.o, loved he tour as much as I did as our guide Lito got them very much engaged with the stories of the temples, making wishes, finding luck and other interesting traditional rituals.”
Dress as a maiko and samurai near Kiyomizu, enjoy pro hair and makeup, and get 3 prints plus a DATA of your full photo set.
“This photo shoot couldn’t have been better. We chose the couples package and it was awesome. The staff was kind, professional, and timely. The costumes were absolutely top notch. The makeup artist was very good. Best of all we only waited 20 minutes after our shoot & our phots were processed, printed, and emailed. I highly recommend this activity, book it.”
Private Kyoto half-day tour covering Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka, and Gion with a certified guide and photo help.
“Increíble ! Súper interesante con Roberto , nuestro guia nos encantó, nos hizo un tour muy muy completo lleno de curiosidades para nosotros 2 completamente adaptado. Lo volveríamos a contratar 1000 veces más . Gracias Roberto ❤️”
See Kyoto’s top sights early with a small-group plan, taxi rides between stops, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and a preserved old-street stroll.
“This experience is not a good value at all! Waste of my time and money personally. I could have done it for free on my own. You can Just wake up early morning and visit the 2 landmark temples in Kyoto. Also, my guide was not very helpful Read more”
