Kiyomizu Temple and Backstreets of Gion, Half Day Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a culture-rich introductory walking tour of Kyoto with a local guide. Travelers interested in history and culture will enjoy strolling through Gion and the Higashiyama area, admiring the views from Kiyomizudera Temple, and learning more about Zen Buddhism at Kenninji Temple. A local expert guide provides deep cultural context and history, ensuring you efficiently visit these top sights.
・Get an intimate view of Kyoto on a walking tour
・Learn more than you would touring independently
・Capture the truly iconic views of Kyoto, from Kiyomizu’s grand stage to Gion’s backstreets.
・Enjoy unhurried time at Kiyomizu-dera Temple to appreciate the view and the architecture.
・Check off several of Kyoto’s must-see sights in half a day
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
As this is a walking tour, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
There could be a delay at when the tour ends, if you have an appointment or plan right after this tour, please let us know in advance
The tour will take place rain or shine.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kyoto Cermaic Center
Meet in front of Kyoto Ceramic Center
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
visit Kiyomizu-dera and learn about culture, history from professional guide. Kiyomizu-dera is not only a significant religious site but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's most visited and culturally significant landmarks.
What‘s Included
Admission fee for temple
English Guide
Options
Kiyomizu Temple and Backstreets of Gion, Half Day Group Tour
Reviews
61 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommend! Wonderful tour in Kyoto
115kaanb,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Miki was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. She has an incredible depth of knowledge and brought each location to life with thoughtful explanations and stories that made everything feel meaningful. The pace of the tour was perfect, never rushed, and we had time to truly take in each place. What really stood out was how she went above and beyond. She showed us hidden spots we never would have found on our own and made the experience feel very personal. She also took beautiful photos of us throughout the day, which we will treasure. On top of that, she helped us find and purchase souvenirs. Miki genuinely cares about creating a memorable experience and it shows in everything she does. We left with not just great memories, but a deeper appreciation for the places we visited. Highly recommend!
Worth the time and money!
Andrea G,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chika was very kind, knowledgeable and charming. She was more than willing to answer questions, point out interesting facts and show us places we wouldn’t have found on our own. I would recommend both the tour guide and the tour itself.
Met as tourists & guide, left as good friends!
davetM9839LM,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was Chika, a local resident of Kyoto. She was very friendly and treated us like friends from the beginning! She took us on a casual but very informative tour of Kiyomizu, pausing to explain the history & purpose of the different structures at Kiyomizu. Chika also took time to take pictures of us and the surrounding scenery. Perhaps more importantly, she explained the culture of Kyoto & how their respect for people & nature made it so attractive on the global stage. Chika then took us on a walk around the backstreets of Gion & sharing with us their humble behind-the-scenes lifestyle. Lastly we made a stop at Kennin-Ji temple and walked through the different buildings & walkways. Throughout our tour we never felt rushed or on a tight schedule. On the contrary - we felt like we were taking a walk in Chika’s backyard; very casual & unstructured yet purposeful. If you are looking for a jam-packed checklist of things to see, this may not be the tour for you. But if you want to take a deep breath & really get a glimpse of life in Kyoto as a local, I highly recommend this tour.
Kyoto with kids
Jose L,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very knowledgeable guide and very patient with children. Great pace and lots of fun facts and interesting stories. Kids loved it!
Kyoto temple and Gion review
Swati A,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00While it turned out to be a rainy day, we still ended up having a fantastic day. Tour guide takami was very patient with the kids and helped them understand Japanese culture in a simple and interesting way. We visited multiple shrines and temples and also did shopping on the streets next to the temple. Overall it was a good way to start our Kyoto trip.
Wonderful tour and guide.
Navigate11825792177,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Miki was wonderful. She gave us a full explanation of each site visited. We were not rushed through but given the time to fully appreciate and take in the beauty and history and significance of the site. I wish all tour guides would take the time to share their stories with us like she did. We connected on a personal level and were able to share our feelings about the way travel enhances the human experience and connection between cultures. What a lovely experience she provided and what a great lady. Thank you Miki for creating such a beautiful memory.
We were very satisfied as...
Celal S,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We were very satisfied as a family with Miki. She was a great person and a guide. She was very friendly and brought us many places and most importantly she explained us the culture. We really enjoyed
Peaceful
Guide588097,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an easy-going stroll learning about some of kyoto’s rich history & visiting some sites with Hide. Very lucky that the heavy rain held out until after the tour!
Worth it
Pioneer07486728941,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend tour - our tour guide Takuma provided great information and knew all the best photo spots.
First trip to Kyoto
annet180,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful experience with Chika. She was very knowledgeable of the history of the temples we visited and took us to various location We enjoyed the time learning about the culture and had great food tasting along the way. Definitely recommend. Thank you for the wonderful time
From ¥9,000
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Japan Wonder Travel