Kyoto Gion Early Morning Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights before the crowds arrive! Our early morning walking tour takes you through the historic streets of Gion, visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji Street, and Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka with a knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking guide.
⚠️ Prior to the tour, please ensure that WhatsApp is available for easy communication. Our guide will contact you through these platforms.
✅ English Guided Walking Tour – Walking through Kyoto’s most scenic streets.
✅ Visit Five Must-See Locations – Explore Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion’s historic streets, and Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka.
✅ Learn Kyoto’s History & Culture – Discover the stories behind Kyoto’s geisha district, samurai history, and old temples with our expert guide.
✅ Capture Stunning Photos – Enjoy a crowd-free Kyoto and take beautiful photos in its most picturesque locations.
✅ Get Local Tips & Recommendations – Our guide will share insider tips to explore after the tour.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
English-Speaking Guide
Approximately 3 hours
Hotel Pick-Up
The Admission Fee: Kiyomizudera-Temple
What To Expect
Gion Shirakawa
Strolling through Gion Shirakawa, you’ll experience Kyoto’s old-world charm in a peaceful, early-morning setting. The Shirakawa River, lined with traditional machiya houses and weeping willows, creates a picture-perfect scene. Crossing the Tatsumi Bridge, you’ll pass historic teahouses where geisha and maiko still perform.
Hanamikoji Street
Walking down Hanamikoji Street, you’ll step into Kyoto’s geisha district, lined with historic wooden machiya houses and traditional teahouses (ochaya). This iconic street is where geisha and maiko gracefully walk to their evening engagements, preserving centuries-old traditions.
Options
Kyoto Gion Early Morning Walking Tour
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic walking tour in Kyoto Gion.
Eric S,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hiro was a superb guide with so much information and great depth of knowledge. Will definitely take this tour again.
Great outing!
wabisabilise,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'd recommend this tour to anyone! The early morning start is fresh and avoids the crowds. Hiro is very friendly and knowledgeable and makes the tour really interesting. I loved it!
Amazing way to explore Gion
C5897QRtessam,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour experience with Caleb. Caleb was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and gave us local insights along the way. We were the only two people in the tour and appreciated being able to visit these local attractions in the early morning before the crowds were out in force. We definitely recommend this walking tour for a more personalized experience than the larger group tours.
Very much worth waking up early!!
Nataly B,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour with Caleb was really good, he is super friendly and made this tour a very good experience. In general, its great to wake up so early to beat the crowds, and being able to walk around and learn about current and historical facts of Gion & surrounding area. In this specific tour, since I was the only one, I appreciated the customisation where we would stop a little longer in shrines and temples, and Caleb would explain at the best of his knowledge the key relevant facts. Would recommend this experience!
Two thumbs up! Highly recommended!
dianamS9928BM,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great time on our tour this morning! Our guide Caleb was incredibly knowledgeable, fun, and made the experience both engaging and relaxing. He shared interesting facts and stories along the way, and made sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. It was the perfect mix of history, culture, and humor. Thank you for a memorable and enjoyable tour—we’re so glad we joined!
Amazing morning tour!
mboschm86,
Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic morning tour around Kyoto with Caleb! He took us to so many amazing spots — from hidden little streets we never would have found on our own to beautiful landmarks rich with history. We loved learning all the fascinating facts and stories about the city’s past, and Caleb made everything so fun and engaging. It felt like exploring Kyoto with a knowledgeable friend. We truly enjoyed every moment and left with a much deeper appreciation for this incredible city. Highly recommend!
Great tour, fun guide
lindseypQ845IM,
Jul 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great tour with Hiro! He was so friendly and knowledgeable, and took us to such interesting places and answered all of our questions. Doing the tour in the early morning was very helpful as it was unbearably hot by 10:30am, and the tour wrapped up a little after that. We had a great experience!
Wonderful experience with Hiro
skdhal,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hiro was fantastic! He showed us around parts of Kyoto that we would not have discovered ourselves. The shrines and temples are amazing. His command of the English language was very good as well. We highly recommend Hiro to be your tour guide!
Relaxing introduction to Kyoto
grzegorzsT271JB,
Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The early morning tour was great - the city still sleeping, it was much calmer than during the day. The guide was a fount of knowledge about local history and tradition, very polite. The pace was just right and after the tour I had a much better idea of where to go and what to see during my stay in Kyoto.
Vincent gave us a great...
MaryMargaret S,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Vincent gave us a great tour of the Gion. It was a lot of information, but he always was happy to answer questions. I would have been happy if the tour started an hour earlier to avoid the crowds. The Kiyomizu Temple was swarming with people by the time we arrived there. I thought the idea was to avoid the crowds.
-20% off
From ¥6,000Was ¥7,500
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Tomodachi Tours