Experience Japan's Traditional Culture Night Tour in Kyoto

Experience Japan's Traditional Culture Night Tour in Kyoto

Price varies by date Check availability for current pricing

About This Tour in Kyoto

Experience authentic Japanese culture in historic Gion district with this exclusive evening tour. Watch traditional performing arts at Gion Corner including Kyoto dance, tea ceremony, and seasonal bunraku or noh performances. Stroll through atmospheric streets illuminated by paper lanterns in the preserved historical district. Enjoy a unique candlelit tea ceremony in a traditional ryokan courtyard, followed by authentic Zen-style vegetarian dinner reflecting Buddhist culinary traditions. Your National Government Licensed English Guide provides expert cultural insights throughout this immersive 4-hour experience.

Why Visit Kyoto?

Kyoto is Japan's cultural heart, home to thousands of temples and traditional gardens. Explore historic districts, visit serene temples, and experience traditional geisha culture. Kyoto offers a glimpse into traditional Japan with stunning beauty and rich heritage.

Getting to Kyoto

The easiest way to reach Kyoto is by flying into Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM). The city has excellent public transportation systems, including trains, subways, and buses. Taxis are widely available, and the transportation infrastructure is efficient and reliable.

What's Included

  • National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
  • Admission fees included in the tour
  • Japanese-style dinner

What's Not Included

  • Dinner time drink charges
  • Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

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

Additional Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Gion Corner Programs: Regular Performance (Mar. 15 - Nov. 30), watch a traditional Kyoto dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, koto music, bugaku (court dance and music), kyogen (traditional Japanese comic theater), and bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre) or a noh play. Either bunraku or noh will be performed depending on the season. Winter Performance (Dec. 1 - Mar. 14), watch a traditional Kyoto dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, koto music, bugaku (court dance and music), and kyogen (traditional Japanese comic theater). Customers can take a commemorative photo with the maiko. *Please note that the content is subject to change
  • Children under 7 years of age (0-6 years old) may not participate
  • Buddhist vegetarian cuisine is served for dinner, so we welcome vegetarian participants. However, bonito stock is used in the tempura dipping sauce. Salt can be used instead of the tempura dipping sauce. The ingredients of tempura are tofu, namafu wheat gluten, yuba tofu skin, and vegetables in season, such as eggplants, lotusroot, ginger, and shiitake mushrooms. Miso soup and rice are also served. *Requests for Muslim-friendly meals, Indian thali meals, and allergy-friendly meals are not accepted
  • Tour's total duration is 4 hours, thouogh, the total duration listed in the itinerary is 2 hours and 50 minutes. The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time and the waiting time for performance of Gion Corner
  • Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour

Customer Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
Based on 6 reviews
5 ★
4
4 ★
0
3 ★
2
2 ★
0
1 ★
0

Individual reviews are not available through the API. View all 6 reviews on Viator

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting Point

Take some time to appreciate Japan’s traditional arts such as a traditional Kyoto dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, koto music, bugaku (court dance and music), kyogen (traditional Japanese comic theater), bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre), or a noh play

Meet your guide holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at GOOD NATURE HOTEL 1F in front of the hotel entrance. The hotel is a 2 minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, Exit 4.

End Point

After dinner, the tour ends at the location. Gion Yoshi-Ima is situated in a convenient location in central Gion district, making it ideal for an evening stroll around Gion after dinner.

Pickup Information

Pickup Option: All travelers must meet at start point

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Take some time to appreciate Japan’s traditional arts... 50 minutes

Take some time to appreciate Japan’s traditional arts such as a traditional Kyoto dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, koto music, bugaku (court dance and music), kyogen (traditional Japanese comic theater), bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre), or a noh play. Each performance is organized into a 5-10 minute show, so it can be enjoyed casually.

Walk from Hanamikoji-dori Street, lined with historic teahouses... 30 minutes

Walk from Hanamikoji-dori Street, lined with historic teahouses and restaurants, to Gion Shimbashi, an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Partway through, enjoy the atmosphere of an evening in Gion illuminated by paper lanterns that vary by area, and visit the Tatsumi Shrine, also known as Gion's Inari Shrine, where maiko pray for improvement in their art.

Enjoy an exclusive private evening tea ceremony with... 1 hour 30 minutes

Enjoy an exclusive private evening tea ceremony with candle light at Gion Yoshi-Ima's tea ceremony room Kurenaitei. Dinner will be served in Zen style, a simple but well-balanced dietetic meal now attracting global attention. Gion Yoshi-Ima is a traditional Kyoto townhouse featuring a long, narrow-fronted style called "unagi no nedoko," which means a bed for an eel. Look forward to its interesting structure including a courtyard that's not visible from the outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cancellation policy?

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

How do I book this tour?

Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.

Is this tour suitable for all ages?

Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.

Book Your Experience

Ready to book this experience? Click the button below to check availability, select your travel date and party size, and complete your booking on Viator.

Book Now on Viator

You'll be redirected to Viator's secure booking platform to complete your reservation.