Guided tour

Kyoto: Lanes and Lanterns Night Time Discovery Tour

4.4 / 5

33 reviews

Activity provider: Intrepid Urban Adventures - Japan
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    Guided tour

    Kyoto: Lanes and Lanterns Night Time Discovery Tour

    Activity provider: Intrepid Urban Adventures - Japan

    From US$ 66.46 per person

    Experience Kyoto's magic as it comes alive after dark on a 3.5-hour walking tour with a local guide. Visit scenic temples & shrines rarely seen by tourists, discover Kyoto’s fascinating historic & modern blend, and snack on traditional Japanese treats.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
    Duration 3.5 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Live tour guide
    English
    Private group available

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Experience the magic of Kyoto after dark
    • Visit local spots that most tourists miss such as the Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine
    • Stroll past the historic wooden walls and lanterns of Yasaka, to the bustle of Karasuma’s local bars
    • Sample tasty snacks as you soak up the lively local atmosphere
    • Join a carbon neutral tour, organized and led by an eco-certified tour operator
    Full description
    Immerse yourself in the drama of Kyoto at night and walk the lantern-lit wooden streets. Get a feel for the nightlife scene with the help of a local guide. Go to the Minamiza Theatre in the famous Geisha district of Gion and keep a look out for the geiko and maiko. Escape the crowds and venture through the backstreets to arrive at Yasaka Shrine. Marvel as it is brought to life by the bright lights and buzzing crowds. Continue to the north part of Gion to find narrow streets lined with smaller and more modern clubs and bars that contrast with the Old Town. Cross the Kamo River and get a sprawling view of the restaurant district before entering the entertainment district of Pontocho, lit by traditional Japanese lanterns. Go to the Teramachi arcade, where merchants sell everything from Manga comic books to statues of ancient gods and high-quality sushi knives. End with a visit to the Nishiki food market to check out a tachinomiya (stand-up only bar) popular with the locals.
    Includes
    • Local English-speaking guide
    • Traditional Japanese snacks and drinks
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Additional food and drinks
    • Tips/gratuities for your guide
    Not suitable for
    • People under 20 years
    • People with mobility impairments

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes

    Know before you go

    • This tour is organized and led by the world's largest travel B-Corp certified company. B-Corp Certification measures a company’s social and environmental impacts and responsible tourism practices
    • This tour includes a brief visit to a small shrine. Modest dress is highly recommended. Keep your shoulders covered and wear pants or a skirt that covers the knees
    • You must be at least 20 years old to take part
    • Maximum group size is 12 people
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.4 /5

    based on 33 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.7/5
    • Value for money
      3.9/5
    • Service
      4.4/5
    • Organization
      4.1/5

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    Star rating:

    Gion is really pretty at night and our guide Ko was great, taking us on a good route and giving extra detail about the sights. We had good food at an okonomiyaki restaurant which we went back to again during our stay in Kyoto. Ko had a good sense of humour and it was a fun evening.

    December 8, 2019

    C
    Clare – United Kingdom Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Private tour with standing bar finish!

    We had actually missed the original tour date because the link in the email from the third-party accidentally pointed us to the wrong location (however it has since been fixed!!!) and the company was gracious enough to reschedule our tour for the following evening. Sean was super informative and we felt comfortable talking with him and learning from him for ~3 hours. It was really nice walking around Gion at night because it's less crowded than most daytime locations in Kyoto (at least when we went it was), and at the end we went to a restaurant for okonomiyaki, and a standing bar which was super fun and new to us. We would definitely book again!

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    September 28, 2018

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Canada Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Excellent Night Tour with a good coverage of the Area.

    Enjoyed seeing the night view of the Gion District, the Yasaka Pagoda and seeing the night life area of Kiyamachi. Julian gave us a good insight into various aspects of the Geisha Lifestyle and also about the surrounding areas including some nice snacks and Dinner. It was a pretty good experience .

    April 23, 2018

    S
    Sanjeev – Thailand Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 70355

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